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Harmony Day



9 March 2003

Our Reference PC11 C:\ and LAN2 I:\ file name: let00063

Most Venerable Achariya Karuna Shastri
General Secretary
International Brotherhood Mission
Maha Bodhi Vihar, Assam
INDIA


Most Venerable Achariya Karuna Shastri

You will remember several of my students met with you at the World Fellowship of Buddhists 22nd General Conference in Malaysia, December 2002.


I thought it was time I wrote to you to refresh your spirit in your dedication to human kind. I am recovering well from my recent illnesses with pneumonia in September 2002 and again with heart troubles this year.

My wife Anita is a great help and cares for me well.

Please send us your most recent information about your projects so that we can publish them on our Internet web sites.

In your letter of 23 December 2001 you listed under proposed activities :
Buddha Bhumi and opening a branch of the Indra Ghandhi National Open University. Perhaps you may like to detail some information on these activities so we can publish them on our Internet on line journal of Buddha Dhyana Dana Review.





I am the owner of a very powerful well connected Tibetan image of the God of Wealth who has been helping us for many years to get the goods and services we need to help us propagate the Buddha Dhamma in this country.


Today I made requests to this High God of Wealth to help you provide places and food for your ever increasing number of orphans.

In your letter mentioned earlier, you wrote "We therefore fervently hope that you will be compassionate enough to take stock of the real state of affairs and share the responsibility with us to make of them responsible and scrupulous citizens of the country".

[edited]
I wish you long life, good health and harmony.

On the 21st of March this year, there is the United Nations International day for the elimination of racial discrimination. This is being promoted in Australia as harmony day. Harmony day falls on the 21st of March each year.

Here is a message from our Minister the Honourable Gary Hardgrave as published on the Internet government web site at www.immi.gov.au/harmony

The theme for this year is to wear orange in support of Harmony day. We will be wearing some old Theravadin Buddhist robes on that day.

"Harmony Day 2003
A message from the Minister

Community harmony is a hallmark of our Australian identity.
We are one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world with more than 40 per cent of the population either born outside Australia or with at least one parent who was.

The Commonwealth Government's Living in Harmony initiative provides opportunities for Australians to show who we are by getting to know each other and seeks to tackle issues of racism in our community where they arise. Living in Harmony emphasises the common values which unite us and strengthens our ability to resist those who may want to divide our community on racial lines.

Harmony Day is part of the Commonwealth Living in Harmony initiative and each year provides Australians with an opportunity to get to know each other better by:

promoting our community's success as a multicultural society;
re-commiting ourselves to respect, goodwill and understanding between all Australians of all backgrounds; and
saying no to racism.

Harmony Day is in its fifth year. This year Harmony Day is more important than ever because recent world events have unfortunately aroused some fear, doubts and prejudices. As individuals and communities across Australia, we are all challenged to engender respect for each other, with an overriding commitment to Australia.

A growing number of individuals, community organisations, businesses, schools, local Governments and other Government agencies will come together this Harmony Day to show support for our peaceful and harmonious society. The continued success of Harmony Day is due to their enthusiasm and hard work.

I thank all those involved in organising this year's events and I encourage you to use Harmony Day to show your personal commitment to Australia as a progressive, peaceful and cohesive nation.

Gary Hardgrave"

Please see their web site at www.immi.gov.au/harmony for more information.

We are including your International Brotherhood Mission as part of our program in Australia for harmony day 2003. The merit we make on harmony day
is dedicated to you and like minded organisations.




With blessings from the Triple Gem

Yours in the Dhamma


Anita & John D. Hughes App. Dip. Chem. T.T.T.C. GDAIE
Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Former Vice President, World Fellowship of Buddhists.
Council Adviser, World Buddhist University

Cc:

1. Venerable Suddhananda Mahathero, President, Dhammarajika orphnage, Bangladesh.
2. Venerable Bhikkhu Var Sambodhi, Pati Vihara Maddhyapur-Thimi Municipality-8, Bhaktapur, Nepal.
3. Venerable Buddha Priya Bhikshu, General Secretary, Siddharth United Social Welfare Mission, Chinar Park, Tegharia, calcutta-700 059, India.
4. Dipak Barua, Bangladesh Buddhist Welfare Association, 28 Brick Field Road, patherghata, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
5. Smt. Chandana Khan, I.A.S., Secretary to Government of Andhra Pradesh, Youth Advancement, Tourism & Cultural department, 3rd floor, A. Block, Secretariat, Hyderabad, India.
6. Bukkyo Dendo kyokai, Society for the Promotion of Buddhism, 3-14, Shiba, 4-chome, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 108-0014 Japan
7. Venerable Geshe Ngawang Jangchup, Lingshed Area Education & Charity Society, Lingshed labrang, Opp. New New Stand, leh, Ladakh 194 101 India.
8. Damian Gauci, Dharma Drum Mountain, Chan meditation Centre, 59 Devon Street, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
9. Venerable Rev. Bhikkhu Dharmeswar, Chittagong Buddhist Monastery, Buddhist Temple Road, Chittagong, Bangladesh.
10. Professor N.H. Samtani, Sugata Kutir, 5 Jhulelal Colony, Mahmoor Ganj, Varanasi – 221010, INDIA.
11. Jagesh meshram, President, Samajik Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha, Near Fire Brigade, Kamal Talkies, Nagpur – 440017, Maharashtra State, India.
12. The Honourable Gary Hardgrave MP, Department of Immigration, Multicultural & Indigenous Affairs, harmonyday@immi.gov.au



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Publication Details

BUDDHA DHYANA DANA REVIEW
ISSN 0818-8254

Incorporating the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. Newsletter and the Chan Academy# Newsletter.

Printed and Published by:
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.*
ACN 005 701 806 ABN 42 611 496 488
33 Brooking Street
UPWEY VIC 3158
AUSTRALIA
Tel/Fax: (+613) 9754 3334

Email: wbu@bdcu.org.au

Websites: www.bdcu.org.au
www.bdcublessings.net.au
www.bddronline.net.au
www.bsbonline.com.au
www.buyresolved.com.au

Editor: John D. Hughes DipAppChem TTTC GDAIE
Assistant Editor: Pennie White, BA, DipEd

#Registered Trading Name
*World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Centre


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