FABC News
Dhammapada presented to Australian Parliament
A copy of the Dhammapada has been added to the Despatch Box on the central table in front of the Prime Minister. The president of the Federation of the Australian Buddhist Councils (FABC) Mr Brian Ashen is seen here handing a copy of the Dhammapada to Mr Harry Jenkins MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives. This momentous occasion for the Buddhist community of Australia took place on the 15th of June 2009.
Report: United Nations Day of Vesak 2009 Bangkok
by Brian White:
I attended this conference in Bangkok from 4 to 6 May 2009. There were approximately 1300 attendees from over 70 countries. There were 36 names on the attendance list from Australia.
Victorian Bushfires 49th Day Buddhist Memorial Ceremony
The Victorian Buddhist community got together on Saturday, 28 March, 2009 to perform a healing service at the Chinese temple in Kinglake West for the survivors of the recent bushfires. The day was a special one, according to the Buddhist calendar, as it was the 49th day after 7 February 2009 - Black Saturday. According to a Buddhist belief, the 49th day is the day when those who died will go to a new life
Prof. Geoff Gallop: Buddhism & Australian Society
Keynote Address by Professor Geoff Gallop for the Australian Sangha Association AGM, Canberra, 10 July 2008
I have been asked to speak to you today about how Buddhists (in particular Buddhist monastics) are seen from the outside. This has provided a dilemma for me. Do I speak as a fellow traveller in the search for Enlightenment? Or, do I speak as a political consultant concerned first and foremost with power and how to acquire it, manage it and use it.
Vesak Message from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister Rudd Sends His Best Wishes to Australia's Buddhist Community
It is with pleasure that I provide this message to the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils for the Vesak on 20 May 2008.
The Buddhist festival of Vesak marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. With lanterns and lights adorning temples and homes this is an important time for spiritual renewal when Buddhists recommit to the Buddha's teaching.
Open Letter to Australia's Political Leaders
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.