FABC News
United Nations Day of Vesak | WA
Celebrating the birth and awakening of the Buddha
Come and join and enjoy an afternoon of entertainment and fun! Free Meditation Sessions!
Saturday May 7
1 – 5 pm
Migrant Pavilion,
Ozone Reserve, East Perth
“For Buddhists everywhere it is indeed a felicitous opportunity, while commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha, to celebrate his message of compassion and devotion to the service of humanity. “
Peace, Compassion and Wisdom
United Nations Day of Vesak 2016 | Victoria
UN VESAK FRIENDSHIP DINNER 2016
9 April 2016
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
The organisers of this event invite you to join us at the 2016 UN Vesak Friendship Dinner, the premier fundraising event for UN VESAK 2016.
Guests will be treated to a delicious vegetarian cuisine provided by Quang Minh Temple and entertainment from our Buddhist community and friends.
Meet in fellowship with Dhamma friends from our many Victorian Buddhist communities in a fun and social environment as we raise important funds for the 2016 UN Vesak event. Find out more about this year's exciting UN Vesak programme and how you can participate.
Support the event that will bring the 2016 UN Vesak event on the 7 May 2016 to the Melbourne CBD.
The “Silent Auction” we host each year is popular and enjoyable and we ask for your support again, to participate or to provide items for the auction.
Increase the joy by gathering your friends to make a table of 10.
For more information on the dinner (and to download the poster), please visit the website www.unvesak.org
Opportunities available to help with:
1. Silent auction item
2. On-ground volunteers
3. Performers/ Entertainment suggestions
Ticket prices : $30 For ticket reservations and enquiries, please email
Opening of New Buddhist Nun's Monastery | WA
The new buildings at Dhammasara Buddhist Nun's Monastery in the outskirts of Perth, Western Australia were officially opened on 17th Jan 2016. The Master of Ceremony was Dennis Sheppard and there were messages given by Minister Mike Nahan (WA Treasurer and Minister of Multicultural Interests), Janine Freeman (MP for Mirrabooka), Ajahn Brahmavamso (Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of WA), Ven Hassapana (Abbot of Dhammasara), Cecilia Mitra (President of BSWA), Troy King (Builder) and Adrian Price (Architect). 
There was loving mention of Ajahn Vayama the pioneer nun and abbot of Dhammasara who could not be present. The occasion was graced by many others including a Consul of the Sri Lankan Embassy, Ven Nirodah (Santi Monastery) and many others. There were many well wishers present on this historical day marking the growth of Theravdan Buddhism in WA.
Click here to watch the video of the Opening. Photos here.
Paris attack 13th Nov 2015
We are saddened to hear again about the violence perpetrated against innocent French citizens by religious extremists in Paris two nights ago. The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils express compassion and condolences to the families and friends of the victims affected, and offer our support to our French brothers and sisters at this very difficult and challenging time.
FABC Climate Statement for COP21 Paris 2015
For the benefit of all beings the Australian Buddhist community urges world leaders meeting in Paris this year to reduce the mining and use of coal and other fossil fuels. Instead of increased coal production we encourage the Australian government to actively pursue the development of renewable energy technologies and help developing countries toward the same end. In the face of overwhelming scientific consensus, urgent action is needed to avoid the catastrophic damage to the earth that climate change will bring if not halted.
Coal is the dirtiest fossil fuel. Besides contributing to carbon dioxide production it causes enormous damage to human health and local ecosystems. The leadership of every nation of the world is needed now more than ever to help transition the world from coal power to renewable clean energy.
The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils encourages practical changes at the personal, national and global levels to tackle climate change. Personal awareness and action is encouraged to reduce one's personal contribution to climate change, while government and industry should take responsibility to lead our society to a sustainable future. In addition to reducing the human carbon footprint, we should address human over-population and animal farming to further manage the degradation of the environment.
As Buddhists we place a special importance on the health of the world’s natural environment. It was in the forest that the Buddha was born, had his awakening experience and passed away. The Buddha respected all forms of life and the sanctity of nature, and hence we should protect against the deforestation that is threatening to remove an important natural producer of oxygen and consumer of carbon dioxide.
Buddhists represented at Human Rights Roundtable
The Australian Buddhist community was represented at today's Roundtable meeting organised by the Australian Human Rights Commission. The FABC was represented by it's Hon. Treasurer Benjamin Webster (of BCNSW).
In an opening address to the Religious Freedom Roundtable in Sydney today, the Attorney-General Senator George Brandis said there were inconsistent attitudes to religious tolerance and freedom in Australia.
The Roundtable was convened by Human Rights Commissioner Tim Wilson to discuss how best to advance religious freedom.
The Roundtable included members of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic, Anglican, Baha’i, Russian Orthodox and Buddhist faiths. They were joined by representatives of the Seventh Day Adventists, the Rationalist Society, the Humanist Society, the Atheist Foundation and the Church of Scientology.
The Attorney-General said such multi-faith conversations were “useful in shaping the government’s agenda, so far as it affects both people of religious faith and people who do not profess religious beliefs”.