FABC News
Congratulations to PM elect
On the occasion of the electoral victory of the Liberal Party, FABC President Kim Hollow has written the following letter of congratulations and good wishes to Mr Tony Abbott the Prime Minister Elect:
On behalf of our Management Committee, I congratulate you and your team on achieving the majority of seats in the Lower House, to facilate formation of our next Australian Federal Government.
We greatly appreciated the letter of greetings you sent to the 575,000 Australian Buddhist practitioners, for our May 2013 celebrations of Vesak.
I extend an open invitation to you to visit one of our many Buddhist Temples, following your confirmation as our next Prime Minister of Australia.
This gesture would mean a great deal to our diverse community, as no Australian Prime Minister has ever officially visited a Buddhist Temple or Monastery within Australia.
In conclusion, we sincerely wish you and your Ministers strength, compassion and wisdom, to deal with the many challenges facing your team in the years ahead.
Yours faithfully,
Kim Hollow.
President,
Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils Inc.
10 Sep 2013
Mahabodhi Temple bombing
The Australian Buddhist community has been saddened and alarmed to hear of the bombing on 7th July 2013 at the Mahabodhi temple in Bihar, India. We hope those injured by the blasts are receiving the best medical care and support and will recover soon.
We hope the Indian governments will catch the perpetrators to reduce the risk of similar acts in future and also take action to ensure these significant Buddhist sites which are India’s national treasures are suitably protected. These sites are also places of veneration to Buddhists all over the world and must be preserved for posterity. Buddhist pilgrims should be able to continue visiting these sites safely and without fear.
At this time we also wish to express our support for handing the management of the temple back to the Buddhist community of India. This will be a major step towards re-establishing India as a genuine centre of Buddhism in the world.
- Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils
(Copies of this statement has been emailed to PM and FM of India, Chief Minister and Governor of Bihar)
Vesak Message from the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MHR
Message from the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MHR
FEDERATION OF AUSTRALIAN BUDDHIST COUNCILS
Vesak
I am pleased to offer my best wishes to the Australian Buddhist community as you celebrate Vesak this year.
Vesak is an important celebration for Buddhists around the world, commemorating the birth, life and enlightenment of Buddha Sakyamuni. In Australia, it is also a chance for the broader community to learn more about Buddhism and to celebrate the contribution Australian Buddhists have made to our country.
Religious faith is an important element in our society. For many, it provides meaning, purpose and inspiration to their daily lives. Our democracy rests on an understanding that every individual counts; and our social solidarity on the understanding that we should treat others as we would have them treat us.
I hope all members of the Australian Buddhist community enjoy the Vesak celebrations this year.
Yours sincerely
TONY ABBOTT
24 May 2013
Violence in Myanmar
The FABC and the Australian Sangha Association have written to the Myanmar ambassador regarding our deep concern about the violence in Burma last month. In particular we are alarmed by reports that in some instances the violence may have been instigated and/or supported by some Buddhist monks.
The text of the joint letter read as follows:
Vesak Message from PM Julia Gillard
2013 VESAK DAY CELEBRATIONS
It is with great pleasure that I send my best wishes to everyone celebrating Vesak across Australia this year.
Vesak is of global importance to the Buddhist community as it gathers to commemorate Gautama Buddha and contemplate his message of compassion and goodwill.
This occasion also offers a time for reflection and the opportunity for all to learn from the teachings of equality, respect and understanding that are such a rich part of Buddhism.
The world is increasingly interdependent and complex, and we are more connected to one another than at any point in history. It is increasingly important that tolerance, non-violence and diligence – Buddhist values – are demonstrated in all of our relationships within local and global communities.
Ven Robina Courtin on the Q&A show
The ABC TV program Q&A is perhaps Australia's number one current affairs program and so we were pleased to see Ven Robina Courtin on the show on 1st April 2013.
The Australian Buddhist community is looking forward to more Buddhist panelists, especially Buddhists who are based in Australia. We note that all other panelists on the show on 1st April are all based in Australia.
So we urge the Q&A show producers to invite prominent Buddhist speakers who are based in Australia to voice our views on topics such as religion and science, marriage equality, voluntary self-euthanasia, animal rights and all other current affairs matters affecting Australians.