FABC News
The current chair of the Australian Sangha Association Venerable Thích Trúc Thông Pháp has said this of the West Australian iron-ore magnate who has been active in anti-slavery initiatives: "Mr Forrest is an Australian business man, a billionaire and a Christian with a sensitive conscience who has let his heart be touched by avoidable human suffering. Some of us might even say that he has experienced the awakening of Bodhicitta within himself. He hopes to draw religious organisations around the world into a '’major operating company” to bring an end to slavery by 2020.
The Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils on behalf of the Australian Buddhist community support and commend his work.
The Buddhist Council of Victoria would like to advise the public that bogus "Buddhist" monks have also been spotted in the Melbourne CBD over recent weeks. They are dressed in grey or orange colored robes, sometimes wearing these over normal clothing and shoes. They look like they are from China but may say they are from Thailand when asked. Usually they offer a small printed talisman of the Buddhist Avalokiteshvara deity as their opening gesture. For more information please refer to our earlier news posts.
Members of the public are asked to report these activities to the police or local consumer protection agency. You can also email us via our Contact Page.
9 January 2014
The Buddhist Council of NSW has noted reports of individuals posing as Buddhist monastics and approaching people in public areas of Sydney, asking for money. These are not authentic monastics and their actions are not representative of Buddhist values.
The Buddhist Council of NSW would like to raise awareness that these individuals are not genuine monks or nuns and are not representing Buddhist teachings. Financial requests like those described would not take place by genuine Buddhist monastics.
“These are not authentic monastics, or representative of Buddhist values and we are saddened by this behaviour”, says Chair of the Buddhist Council of NSW, Mr Brian White.
“Buddhist monks and nuns are traditionally supported by their community and would never ask for money from strangers in this way. Instead, people voluntarily give requisites to monks and nuns and this is a practice which is done with a sense of joy because it is unsolicited.”
The members of the Buddhist Council of NSW include well over one hundred Buddhist temples, associations and Buddhist centres across NSW and ACT, representing all the traditions and cultures of Buddhism. The Buddhist Council runs government recognised community programs in hospitals, prisons and government schools and supports the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils.