Dear Mr Howard,
I am writing to you about the future of the Buddhist communities in Australia.
As the nation proceeds towards the federal election on November 24th, all interest is on what a future Prime Minister and newly elected government will promise for harmony and understanding of Australia's diverse faith communities.. This is an important issue and requires attention.
The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils (FABC) though not supporting any particular political party. The FABC respects policies that encourage truthfulness, compassion, reconciliation, inclusiveness and harmony. Specific areas of importance are health, education, welfare, human rights and dignity, environment and climate change, chaplaincy and rights to conduct marriages. The FABC also expresses the right as a representative peak body of Buddhist Councils in Australia to put forward views and opinions that broadly reflect more than 430,000 Australian Buddhists.
In 2008 a major policy forum will be held to discuss values, views and opinions that are acceptable to all Buddhist traditions. As part of that process the FABC will lead a delegation to Canberra of esteem Buddhist leaders in clergy, educators, experts in health, welfare, human rights and community development. This delegation will represent the most respected leaders of our community. What ever the outcome of the election in November this delegation requests a meeting with you in the new year to discuss topics of relevance and importance to the growing diverse Buddhism and its mix of ethnic and Australian followers.
I wish you all the best in 2008.
Yours faithfully
Brian S. Ashen
President
Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils.