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VESAK 2019
It gives me great pleasure to send my best wishes to the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils and all its members on the festive occasion of Vesak.
Vesak commemorates the birth of Gautama Buddha, and his Enlightenment and final passage into Nirvana.
Over 500,000 Buddhists call Australia home, making a strong and long-lasting contribution to our diverse and vibrant multicultural nation.
As our Buddhist community unites in veneration of Buddha and his teachings during Vesak, may we all be inspired in our pursuit of happiness, peace and equality for all people.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER VESAK 2019
Vesak is a day of the greatest significance for all who adhere to the Buddhist faith.
It is also an opportunity for communities around the world to acknowledge the significance of this day and its message of peace, goodwill and compassion.
Buddhism has a strong history in Australia, and the contribution of Buddhist thought to our culture and society is greatly valued.
In a time of increasing global uncertainty and unrest, the Buddha’s teachings of equality, respect and understanding have growing relevance to all who wish to build a more caring and peaceful world.
Hon. Dame Annette King,
High Commissioner for New Zealand,
Canberra.
Dear Dame King,
On behalf of the Buddhist Council of NSW I would like to express our deep sadness at the tragedy in Christchurch today. Such violence, for any reason, is terrible. It is particular awful when it is directed towards a particular religious or cultural group.
I listened to your Prime Minister’s talk earlier today, and was reminded of the words from the Dhammpada, an early account of the sayings of the Buddha: