Doctor Ranjith Hettiarachi
Convenor,
Australasian Buddhist Convention Conference
Chariman
Buddhist Foundation (Victoria) Australia
26 June 2002
Dear Ranjith,
It is with my warmest wishes that I congratulate you on the actualisation for your resolute determination to help and inspire Buddha Dhamma practitioners.
Your vision and inspired leadership enabled the most successfull presentation of the first Australasian Buddhist Convention Conference in Camberwell, Melbourne on 22 and 23 June 2002.
The Conference theme of 'Pathway to a Peaceful Mind' created a suitable framework to bring together Buddha Dhamma scholars and practitioners from around the world.
Our Members have all had Path enriching experiences.
Please let me extend our Organisation's congratulations to you and your committee and all who helped bring about this great occasion for Path learning, for the work in presenting this truly meritorious event.
We will continue to help you in your future efforts.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
Yours in the Buddha Dhamma
John D. Hughes
Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Vice President, World Fellowship of Buddhists
Advisor, World Buddhist University
The Buddhist Foundation (VIC) Australia Inc.
For Teaching Dhamma Practice
Motto: “Sacchitta Pariyodapanam”
(Purify and Refine Your Mind)
130 Station Street, FAIRFIELD VIC 3078, Australia
Tel: 61 3 9465 8236
Fax: 61 3 9489 5749
e-mail: buddhist.foundation.melb@bigpond.com
www.bfvaust.org
ABN 12 630 808 612
Mr John Hughes
Resident Teacher
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
30 June 2002
Dear John,
Many thanks for the thoughts of loving kindness and compassion expressed in your letter. Your heartfelt message arising out of Muditha did touch me deeply. We all no doubt need to be indebted to a timeless Dhamma and the most compassionate guidance of the Maha Sangha for an exquisitely joyous experience in Buddhist Practice at the Convention.
We are reminded of a beautiful teaching in the Dhammapada which says, “A single day in life seeing the Supreme Dhamma is better than a hundred years of non-seeing” (V 113).
We were most heartened to learn from the numerous messages and letters such as yours, that our program content was well structured, comprehensively covered and effectively delivered. The outcome that impacted on us the most was a lasting inner joy, peace and the contentment you derived, as the receiver. We sincerely hope that the mental and physical transformation we intended and assured for everyone would be realized by the dedicated practice of the Pathway to a Peaceful Mind.
The Buddhist Foundation will be delighted to receive your ongoing support and assistance with a view to providing you with every opportunity to cultivate and develop Buddhist Practice. This is our primary focus.
Towards this end, it is indeed our pleasure to be with you literally and metaphorically. We are then certain to grow and benefit like one practice family.
John, I would personally welcome your services and contribution to the practice programs of the Foundation, which will certainly pave the way to your own practice in the long term. We thank the members of your Centre who contributed much to our organisational work for the Convention.
May you be well and happy with the blessings of the Supreme Triple Gem!
With Metta and Regards,
Dr Ranjith Hettiarachi