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Chan Academy is a registered trading name of
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
A.C.N. 005 701 806 A.B.N. 42 611 496 488
33 Brooking St, Upwey, Victoria 3158, Australia
Telephone / Facsimile: +613 9754 3334
Email: wbu@bdcu.org.au Website: www.bdcu.org.au
World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Centre
Associated Institution of the World Fellowship of Buddhists
Member Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria
International Dhamma Activities (IDA) Report
Period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004
Written and edited by
Evelin C. Halls BA, Julian Bamford BA, Leanne Eames BA, MA.
IDA Colour Code: Yellow
IDA Manager: Evelin Halls
IDA Vice-President: Pennie White
IDA Task Unit Members: John D. Hughes, Julian Bamford, Peter Boswell, Helen Costas, Leanne Eames, Anita Hughes, Leila Igracki, David Ley, Julie O'Donnell, Rilla Pargeter, Lainie Smallwood, Kamfatt Lin, Amber Svensson, Paul Tyrrell.
IDA Task Unit Responsibilities:
To maintain WFB liaison; to maintain WBU liaison; to arrange Abhidhamma Teachings; chanting, pujas, translations; to maintain and preserve the John D. Hughes Collection; to organise audio and video recordings of teachings and events; to develop and maintain the Centre's IT systems, data warehouse, LAN and web sites; to train Members to become Webmasters; to develop e-commerce; to produce, edit, publish and distribute the BDDR and BSB, to write and broadcast "Buddhist Hour" radio scripts; to organise and teach Chan classes.
Introduction to some of our Peak Events
Over the year, Members practised Chan in caring for their teacher during his illness, and with diligence and persistence they maintained our Buddha Dhamma Centre.
On 6 December 2003, the Funeral Celebration of Master John D. Hughes was held at out Centre. It was blessed by many Monks and the funeral service was guided by Master Ru Sun of Yun Yang Temple in Narre Warren and attended by many students and friends of the late John D. Hughes. A document entitled “A Funeral Celebration of Master John D. Hughes Commemorative Volume of the Funeral Ceremony and Celebration of Master John David Hughes, Born 9 September 1930 Died 29 November 2003 - Well Played Sir Well Played -A Life Well Spent" was produced and forwarded to many friends and organisations in Australia and overseas.
During this past year our Members have been involved in many meritorious projects assisting with the propagation of Buddha Dhamma through peak events as well as publications of reports and information on our websites for our Buddha Dhamma friends around the world.
Some of our Members represented our Centre at public talks by visiting Dhamma Teachers. His Holiness Sakya Trizin visited Melbourne in 2003, Sogyal Rinpoche in January 2004, and in April of this year Venerable Chan Master Sheng Yen gave a public Dhamma talk entitled “Chan and Building a Pure Land on Earth”.
Early in 2004 a weekly program of Buddha Dhamma teachings and guided meditation commenced under the guidance of visiting Monks from the Shakyamuni Sambuddha Vihara Sri Lankan Temple in Berwick.
On 4 April 2004, Chan painting classes recommenced at our Chan Academy. Continuing with the practise established by our Founder, Chan Teacher Melba Nielsen (B.A.) teaches the ancient art of Chan painting at our Centre each month.
Under our late Teacher's guidance through his recorded teachings and writing about Chan tutelage, our organisation is committed to help the living preservation of Chan in the world for future generations.
We plan to hold a Chan art exhibition on the occasion of Versak celebrations in 2005.
In July 2003 our Member Pennie White visited the World Buddhist University and World Fellowship of Buddhists in Bangkok Thailand as part of her research for her Masters Thesis entitled “Information Communication Technology and the World Buddhist University”.
On 28 August, our Teacher John D. Hughes, Anita Hughes and Members attended the "Health & Healing: The Buddhist Perspective" symposium presented by the Buddhist Foundation of Victoria and the Gawler Foundation at the Camberwell Centre in Camberwell. Teachings were given by Venerable Mahinda, Abbot of Aloka Meditation Centre in New South Wales, and Lama Choedak Rinpoche, Founder Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Canberra, ACT.
On August 31, 2003, a special Dharma Ceremony titled the “Earth Store Bodhisattva Puja” was held for the good health and long life of our Teacher, John D. Hughes. The Ceremony was organised by Master Ru Sun, Abbot of Yun Yang Temple in Narre Warren, Victoria, and was attended by our Teacher and his students.
In February 2004, Members assisted with the running of a national Buddhist conference on the theme “Engaging Buddhism” held at Victoria University. We prepared a report on the conference which was forwarded to the World Buddhist University and the World Fellowship of Buddhists.
Work was commenced on our third LAN, called PHOTOLAN, which we plan to have in operation before the end of 2004. Further enhancements are being made to our BDCU database.
Our Organisation
Our Centre's new brand name is Chan Academy Australia. The Chan Academy Australia brand was created in September 2002 by our Founder John D. Hughes.
We plan it will take around five year for Chan Academy Australia to become recognised as the brand name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. We plan to increase the promotion of our branding name Chan Academy Australia by including it on all our communications, websites, publications and correspondence. The promotion will be supported by a writtne communication plan. We will officially launch the name in Australia and internationally on 9 September 2004.
Chan Academy is a registered trading name of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Address: 33 Brooking Street, Upwey, Victoria, 3158 Australia.
Phone: +61 3 9754 3334 Fax +61 3 9754 3334
Email: wbu@bdcu.org.au. Website: www.bdcu.org.au
Date of Establishment: 21 July 1980
Date of Affiliation with the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB):
22 October 1990 B.E. 2533
Date of approval as an Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University (WBU): 9 February 2002 B.E. 2545
Our Senior Executive Members
1. President: Mr Julian Bamford
2. Vice Presidents: Mr Frank Carter, Ms Evelin C. Halls, Ms Pennie White
3. Abbott & Secretary: Mrs Anita M. Hughes
4. Treasurer: Mr Peter Boswell
Directors:
Mrs Anita M. Hughes, Ms Julie O'Donnell, Ms Evelin Halls, Mr Peter Boswell.
John D. Hughes Collection Multilingual Reference Library:
Librarian: Mrs Anita M. Hughes
Chief Information Officer: Ms Leanne Eames
Occupational Health & Safety
Joint Managers: Anita M .Hughes, Frank Carter.
World Buddhist University Liaison Officer:
Ms Pennie White
Membership
We currently have 25 people active in our core program.
We estimate that we reach in excess of 5,000 people each year with projects including: Dhamma classes held at the Centre, weekly fundraising and Public Relations (PR) projects, our weekly Buddhist Hour Radio broadcast, participation and networking with other Temples and organisations (Buddhist and non-Buddhist) in and around the Melbourne metropolitan area, country Victoria and New South Wales.
Online visits to our websites exceeds 20,000 (metered site visits - Australia and overseas), while we estimate in excess of 50,000 visitors since inception of our ten websites.
Our Public Relations Program
We publish an internal newsletter called The Brooking Street Bugle
The Brooking Street Bugle is a registered publication (New Series) ISSN 1321 - 1463. It is also published online at www.bsbonline.com.au. Many online issues also include photographs.
The Brooking Street Bugle is, in principal, a fortnightly publication, with up to 60 pages.
We forward copies of each issue to the State Library of Victoria and plan also to forward a copies of each issue to the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
How we use the internet to reach our target audience
1. Internet: We have created and maintain ten websites.
Their main contents are:
http://www.bdcu.org.au
“Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.”
John D. Hughes Collection Catalogue, Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, Chan Academy, Membership, Company information - Memorandum and Articles of Association.
http://www.bdcublessings.net.au
“Blessings”
Buddhist Hour Radio Script archive, video, chanting, sound files
http://www.bddronline.net.au
“Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Online”
Volumes of the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review, our international journal, photographs.
http://www.bsbonline.com.au
“Brooking Street Bugle”
Issues of the Brooking Street Bugle, our internal publication, photographs
http://www.bsbonline.com.au/longhair
“Longhair Australian News”
Longhair Australian News, a technical publication on how we use Information Communication Technology to deliver a Buddha Dhamma mass education system to benefit many beings
http://www.buyresolved.com.au
“Chan Academy information and Geology Museum program”
Presents (1) the Chan Academy, and (2) a public Geology Museum program based on sound Buddhist principles
http://www.buyresolved.com.au/museum
“Private Museum in Upwey”
Geological Museum at Upwey
http://www.buyresolved.com.au/johndhughes
“John D. Hughes website”
Biography, Five Trusts, The Nobbies, Winners Gain Ground
http://www.bdcu.org.au/scw
“World Fellowship of Buddhists Standing Committee on Women (WFB SCOW)”
Newsletter, WFB Regional Centres represented on the Standing Committee on Women
http://www.e-dharma.org
A Buddha Dhamma e-learning source
http://www.nla.gov.au
“John D. Hughes Collection”, a multilingual Buddhist reference library, hotlink through the Australian Libraries Gateway
External communication to members, friends and organisations:
We communicate with friends, organisations and interested persons via email locally, nationally and internationally.
We use traditional mail services for sending some of our special publications.
Our weekly Buddhist Hour Broadcast on Hillside FM Radio 88.0 is now in its sixth year. Our local audience is in Melbourne's south eastern suburbs. We reach an international audience through our online publishing of the weekly script on www.bdcublessings.net.au.
Our Standing Committee on Education of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. held its first meeting on 10 April 2004 at our Centre.
We provide digital photographs to other Temples of events we attend and photographs, such as over 300 photographs of the Australian Buddhist Conference held in February 2004.
We publish digital photographs of projects, and Buddha Dhamma events on our website. We presently have over 3000 photographs online.
We attend key events at other Temples.
Within the last year we have published the following:
Our Buddha Dhyana Dana Review (BDDR), ISSN 0818-8254. is registered by Australia Post, Print Post Publication No. PP 39637/00013.
We print multiple copies for Dhamma dana.
2004:
BDDR Vol. 14 No. 3
BDDR Vol. 14 No. 2
BDDR Vol. 14 No. 1
2003:
BDDR Vol. 13 No. 5
BDDR Vol. 13 No. 4
BDDR Vol. 13 No. 3
BDDR Vol. 13 No. 2
BDDR Vol. 13 No. 1
Please note: Some of earlier issues of Volume 13 were commenced during the preceeding 12 month period - 2002 - 2003.
Brooking Street Bugle, ISSN 1321-1463
Issue No. 90 - 4 July 2003
Issue No. 91 - 31 July 2003
Issue No. 92 - 19 August 2003
Issue No. 92a - 19 August 2003 Special Edition: Occupational Health and Safety Handbook
Issue No. 93 - 25 August 2003
Issue No. 94 - 4 September 2003 Special Edition: Five Day Bhavana Course - Developing Commitment to Buddha Path
Issue No. 95 - 24 September 2003
Issue No. 96 - 14 October 2003 New Private Kitchen and Dining Room Master Construction Plan - Day 1 to Day 27
Issue No. 97 - 20 October 2003
Issue No. 98 - 10 November 2003 New Private Kitchen and Dining Room Master Construction Plan - Day 28 to Day 53
Issue No. 99 - 10 November 2003 Special Edition: Public Relations Analysis
Issue No. 100 - 24 December 2003
Issue No. 101 - 2 March 2004
Issue No. 102 - 9 March 2004
Issue No. 103 - 16 March 2004
Issue No. 104 - 23 March 2004
Issue No. 105 - 30 March 2004
Issue No. 106 - 13 April 2004
Issue No. 107 - 20 April 2004
Issue No. 108 - 29 April 2004
Issue No. 109 - 8 June 2004
Issue No. 110 - 22 June 2004
Longhair Australian News, ISSN - 1446-5124 (print)
Volume 3 No. 1, 30 June 2004 - currently in preparation
Volume 2 No. 1, 1 February 2003
Volume 2 No. 2, 1 July 2003
In the coming year we intend publishing three issues of Longhair Australian News.
NOTE: We will deposit copies of our publications made available to the wider public, such as the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review, Brooking Street Bugle and Longhair Australian News, with the the National Library of Australia and the Victorian State Library.
“Under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) and various State Acts, a copy of any work published in Australia must be deposited with the National Library of Australia and the appropriate State Library.’’ (Legal Deposit in Australia brochure, Seventh Edition, 2004, published by the National Library of Australia in cooperation with Australian Legal Deposit Libraries)
Funeral Celebration of Master John D. Hughes: “Commemorative Volume of the Funeral Ceremony and Celebration of Master John David Hughes Born 9 September 1930 Died 29 November 2003 - Well Played Sir Well Played - A Life Well Spent".
Titles and dates of our Buddhist Hour radio scripts over the year:
6 July 2003: Occupational Health and Happiness
13 July 2003: Lightening Up by Overcoming the Five Hindrances
20 July 2003: Creating the causes for good health
27 July 2003: Master Ru-Sun's visit to Master John D. Hughes
3 August 2003: Buddha Dhamma Bhavana
10 August 2003: Should parents relate to their children?
17 August 2003: Our President’s Annual Report 2002 to 2003
24 August 2003: What are Peak Buddha Dhamma Activities in a Dhamma Ending Age?
31 August 2003: Our International Dhamma Activities 2002 to 2003
7 September 2003: Earth Store Bodhisattva Puja, August 31, 2003
14 September 2003: Celebration of a Life of Buddha Dhamma Work - A Tribute to our Founder
21 September 2003: Health and Wellbeing: A Buddhist Perspective
28 September 2003: Metta - A Buddha Dhamma Teaching given by Venerable Mahinda
4 October 2003: This script is entitled: A Buddha Dhamma talk given by a visiting Teacher
11 October 2003: Buddha Dhamma Blessings in Bangkok
19 October 2003: Removal of Sceptical Doubt for a Buddha Dhamma practitioner
26 October 2003: Public Relations Programs for 500 years
2 November 2003: The heart of a global network of Buddhist Scholars: The World Buddhist University
9 November 2003: Health is the Greatest Gift
16 November 2003: Giving up and growing up
23 November 2003: Remembering our Ancestors
30 November 2003: Is the door of your heart open to yourself?
7 December 2003: Tribute to Master John D. Hughes - Funeral Celebration Ceremony
4 December 2003: Understanding Death and Impermanence
21 December 2003: Will you have a first class death?
28 December 2003: Happy New Year. What happy seeds will each of us sow in 2004?
4 January 2004: Tending to our Garden - Planning to Flourish
11 January 2004: Make merit and spend it wisely
18 January 2004: Morality for Modern Living
25 January 2004: What is Buddha Dhamma?
1 February 2004: Buddha Dhamma Questions and Answers
8 February 2004: How to apply Buddha Dhamma to your life
15 February 2004: Morality, the foundation stone of Buddha Dhamma practice
22 February 2004: Generosity - the first base of meritorious actions
29 February 2004: A Nationwide Buddhist Gathering in Australia
7 March 2004: Practising Kindness
14 March 2004: Practise and Develop Refuge in the Triple Gem
14 March 2004: Practise and Develop Buddhist Meditation
28 March 2004: Practise and Develop Merit Making
4 April 2004: Dealing with Destructive Emotions
11 April 2004: Develop your scholarship
18 April 2004: 18 April 2004: The Four Nutriments and life improving qualities of practising the Five Reflections on Food
25 April 2004: Prolonging the Buddha Sasane - How we support Buddhist Organisations locally, nationally and internationally
2 May 2004: Friendliness - The First of Our 5 Styles
9 May 2004: Dedicating the merits of this 2548th Versak Day Celebration to all Mothers
16 May 2004: Reading The Diamond-Cutter Sutra (1)
23 May 2004: Reading The Diamond-Cutter Sutra (2)
30 May 2004: Reading The Diamond-Cutter Sutra (3)
6 June 2004: About the Diamond-Cutter Sutra (1)
13 June 2004: About the Diamond-Cutter Sutra (2)
20 June 2004: About the Diamond-Cutter Sutra (3)
27 June 2004: The John D. Hughes Collection. Illuminating the path, guiding the future practitioner.
Current Programs
Highlights and examples of events and activities we have sponsored:
Monday evenings: Buddha Dhamma Teachings and meditation guided by Venerable Theravada Monks
Tuesday evenings: Abhidhamma Teaching: online course from Asian Classics Institute at www.world-view.org
Thursday evenings: Vinaya study class
Friday evenings: Diamond Cutter Sutra study class: online course from Asian Classics Institute at www.world-view.org
Saturday evenings: Thangka Painting Class
Sunday mornings: Buddhist Hour live one hour radio broadcast
Visiting Teachers events
Versak celebration, Founder's Day, New Year's Eve
We have set up a Standing Committee on Education.
Providing English language teaching for Venerable Monks
Increase our Library resources - for research
Sumi-e painting classes were taught by visiting Master Andre Sollier during the year. The theme was ‘The Seven Factors of Enlightenment’
Chan painting classes recommenced in April 2004 taught by visiting Chan Teacher Melba Nielsen.
Visit to World Buddhist University in Bangkok Thailand by Ms Pennie White as part of her Thesis Research Project (2003):
Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University - Research Project. 'Use of Information Technology by the World Buddhist University'. Masters Thesis by Ms Pennie White.
Our Director Evelin Halls was our Delegate to the library research workshop at the National Library, Canberra, June 2004.
We are listed in Gales Directory of Special Libraries. Entry No. X9110230 - A Reference of 34500 of Libraries and Information Centres Around the World.
We will launch our online Buddha Dhamma photo library PHOTOLAN in 2004.
Humanitarian Services:
Speaking on Buddha Dhamma at local Nursing homes and schools.
We continue to raise funds for the Dhammarajika Orphanage in Bangladesh - this fundraising project has been continuing for 22 years.
We plan to start and operate a Nursing Home on Buddhist principles for caring for the Aged and Dying. (2005)
Social and Cultural Development:
Create and maintain the John D. Hughes Museum at our Centre to provide a record of our Founders Heritage by recording his life and vision and activities.
Continue the development of the John D. Hughes Private Geology Museum, including the cataloguing of al specimens in the collection.
Build a life-size image of our Founder, Master John D. Hughes.
National Level Programs:
Buddhist Conference ‘Engaging Buddhism’ at Victoria University, 2004
Health and Healing Symposium, Camberwell Centre, Camberwell, 2003
National Taipei Celebrations 2003
Annual General Meeting 2003 - Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria.
International Level Programs:
World Fellowship of Buddhists
World Buddhist University
Plan to join World Fellowship of Buddhists Youth (WFBY) - we have ten Members under 40 years old snd we wish to encourage our next generation to participate in WFB activities.
Websites - WFB Standing Committee on Women. We set up the website in 2000, and have published their newsletters and reports online and maintain the website regularly.
In 2004, we plant to set up in 2004 an online Buddha Dhamma exhibition on our e-Dhamma website for WFB Centres for WFB Standing Committee on Publications, Publicity, Education, Arts and Culture.
Our greatest challenges are:
To publish a history of our Centre
To publish a new biography of our Founder
To publish a history of Buddha Dhamma in Australia
To preserve Buddha Dhamma materials and resources: books, audio tapes, video tapes, digital mini-disks, teaching, images, thangkas, relics, paintings, photographs, flags etc.
To maintain our Centre for the next 500 years to provide a place where persons can learn to practise and apply the teachings of the Buddha to come to full realisation
To become more active and help the WFB
To set up a Standing Committee on Women at our Centre
To write executive summary's of each publication in our Library and publish these online
To complete our online catalogue of the John D. Hughes Collection.
To become a WFBY Regional Centre
To establish an internet radio service - we have 340 one hour Buddha Dhamma radio broadcast available to go online
What assistance do we need to be more effective?
We want more Members with more time to take on our activities and projects. We also welcome international Members.
What innovative programs would we plan if we had more resources?
Radio and television station to broadcast Buddha Dhamma teachings.
Accommodation and Conference Centre for visiting Venerable Monks, Nuns and visiting Teachers - to provide teachings
Retreat Centre at Philip Island, Victoria.
Children's Buddha Dhamma program
Appendices
1. Report of visit to the World Buddhist University by Ms Pennie White
2. WFB Regional Centre Report on our participation and support of the Australian Buddhist General Conference
3. Multicultural Documentary Heritage Workshop
Appendix 1
Report of visit to the World Buddhist University by Ms Pennie White
Prepared by Pennie White
At 2:00pm, 22 September 2003 Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab, Acting Rector welcomed Ms. Pennie White to the World Buddhist University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Ms. Pennie White offered flowers to the Buddha and took refuge in the Triple Gem.
Dr Nantasarn Seesalab expressed that the World Buddhist University staff are excited about the proposed research.
Ms White presented a gift for the World Buddhist University on behalf of her Teacher John D. Hughes, Anita Hughes and the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. to Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab. This gift was the Majjhima Nikaaya (1-25) translated from Pali by Sister M. Uppalawanna printed by Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. President Mr. Julian Bamford their website at: http://bdcu.org.au/BDDR/bddr12no3/majjhima75-101.html
Sister Uppalawanna was born on 20 September 1929. Her Teacher was the Venerable Ayya Khema. Sister Uppalawanna lives in Munhena Maggone village, Sri Lanka. Sister Uppalawanna presented the translation to John D. Hughes during her visit to Australia in 1999.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab inquired about John D. Hughes' health. Ms White reported that John D. Hughes was recovering well and that he will be in retreat for one year.
Ms. White presented a photograph of the recent Founder's Day Celebration on 9 September 2003. The description read: "We welcomed Members of the Sangha, Members and Friends to celebrate Founder's Day of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. and the 73rd birth anniversary of our Founder John D. Hughes.
This photograph was taken in front of the Buddha Rupa on the Golden Pavilion in the Northern Quarter of our Chan Garden."
Ms. White also offered a brochure, Brooking Street Bugle, Abhidhamma Paper, Chan Painting Cd-rom on behalf of her Teacher and the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Ms. White presented a bound copy of the research proposal, ethics application and approval.
Dr Nantasarn Seesalab said you are a very active centre. He mentioned the new associate institutions especially another very active centre in France.
Dr. Nantasarn asked about the current activities of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
Ms White mentioned that:Abhidhamma classes are held every Tuesday and are running for nine years. The Buddhist Hour is broadcast every Sunday. Five Day Courses are run four times per year. Sumi-e and Chan classes are held monthly.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab then introduced Ms. White to Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni, Director of the Rector Office. Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab mentioned that he has some UNESCO commitments later this month and that Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni would be able to assist with anything Ms. White required regarding the research.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab gave the bound copy of the research proposal, ethics application and approval to Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni.
Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni inquired about John D. Hughes health and was pleased to hear that he is recovering. Ms White presented a photograph of Founder's Day celebrations to Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab had organised for the World Buddhist University staff to meet with Ms. White at 3:00pm to introduce themselves and to present the research.
Ms White presented each staff Member with business cards and a colour photograph of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.'s Founder's Day Celebration 9 September 2003.
Miss Anyarat Muadmanee, IT Officer for the World Buddhist University photographed the meeting.
Person attending this meeting were:
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab, Deputy Rector, Acting Rector.
Mr. Ruangdej Srimuni, Director Rector Office
Mr. Thongpon Khampan, Chief of Information Systems
Miss Tidarat Phahaisuk, Buddhist Scholar
Mr. Pubes Sukjam, Buddhist Scholar, Information and Cultural Exchange Centre and other Members of Staff
Ms. White also met with and presented a photograph to:
Assistant Professor Dr. Tavivat Puntarigvivat, Director of the Institute of Research and Development.
Associate Professor Dr. Subhadr Panyadeep, Director of the Institute of Training and Curriculum Development.
Associate Professor Dr. Banjob Bannaruji, Director of the Institute of Spiritual Practice
Dr. Amnaj Buasri. Director, Institute of the Educational Development Based on Buddhism.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab welcomed all present and invited Ms. White to speak.
Ms. White said Thank you for welcoming her to the World Buddhist University.
She said she was representing the World Buddhist University Associate Institute the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. and Monash University, Australia. All Members introduced themselves.
She said the research proposal on "The Use of Information and Communication technology by the World Buddhist University" would explore how the University is developing now and from that explore the possibilities for the future. Ms. White explained that the research would involve interviewing persons or persons filling out a questionnaire. This could be done in person or by email, fax or post. The possibilities are open.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab asked what Ms. White would like to accomplish in the next ten days.
Ms. White said that she would need a formal letter from the University before proceeding then interviews would be able to begin.
Dr. Nansarn Seesalab said the World Buddhist University are very happy about the research and that they would provide a letter.
Dr. Nantasarn Seesalab presented Ms. White with a copy of the World Buddhist University Charter and Final Report on the Inauguration of the WBU and Symposium on The Main Concept and role of the World Buddhist University 8-9 December 2543 (2003) and the World Buddhist University Newletter. This Newsletter contains "The World Buddhist University Centre in Action" that displays the structure and staffing of the World Buddhist University.
Mr. Ruandej Srimuni, Director of the Rector's Office spoke about the World Buddhist University from inception to the present day. There are now four associate institutions in Thailand, one very active centre in France and one very active centre in Australia.
One question was "Do you only need 30 -50 persons to be interviewed or to answer a questionaire?" Ms White said she was sure it would be acceptable if there were more. Dr. Seesalab said you can interview the whole staff, they are ready.
May you be well and happy.
With Metta,
Ms. Pennie White
Appendix 2
WFB Regional Centre Report on our participation and support of the Australian Buddhist General Conference
Written by Julian Bamford, BA, App.Rec
The Australian Buddhist General Conference was held 20 to 22 February 2004 at Victoria University, St Albans campus, and was convened by The Buddhist Federation of Australia, Victoria University and Buddhist Council of Victoria.
The conference was titled 'Engaging Buddhism in Australia'.
The opening day was attended by around three hundred persons, including VIPs, special guests and presenters, members of the public and volunteers.
The Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, Head of the United Vietnamese Congregation of Australia and New Zealand, and over fifty members of the Sangha, Monks and Nuns, from the traditions of Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Zen traditions attended and blessed the conference over the three days.
A message from the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr John Howard, was read to Conference participants:
"I have great pleasure in providing this message on the occasion of the Australian Buddhist General Conference to be held at Victoria University in Melbourne.
"This general Conference has as its overall theme, 'Engaging Buddhism in Australia'. It is an opportunity for all Buddhists across Australia to get together to discuss issues of importance to the Buddhist community, while continuing to work towards promoting greater peace and harmony in the broader community.
"Occasions such as this remind us that Australia is home to a diversity of faiths, encompassing all the world's major religions. Australia's diversity is one of our most important attributes as we face the challenges of a rapidly changing world. As a nation we respect the rights of citizens to maintain and develop their cultural and religious beliefs. It is one very important way in which we seek to address issues of conflict and intolerance. We are united by our commitment to our nation, its democratic institutions and laws and a sense of a "fair go for all". I welcome this opportunity to express appreciation for the significant and much valued contribution that the Buddhist community has made to the social and cultural development of Australia.
"I send my best wishes to the Buddhist Federation of Australia and all those participating in the General Conference."
Messages were also received and read from:
His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia.
Mr Steve Bracks, Premier of Victoria and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.
Honourable Gary Hardgrave MP, Federal Minister for Moreton, Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Assisting the Prime Minister attended and addressed the opening ceremony.
The Chair of the Organising Committee Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Abbott of the Quang Minh Temple at Braybrook serving over 10,000 members, said that "Buddhism engages with the real issues in peoples lives".
The conference met its objective to provide an interchange of ideas and research between representatives of the Buddhist communities, academics and representatives of relevant government agencies on the issues and challenges facing Buddhist communities within the framework of present day multicultural Australia.
The conference was an important milestone in Buddhist history as it was the very first time that Buddhists from all traditions and from all states of Australia and other parts of the world have met together to celebrate working together harmoniously in engaging Buddhism in Australia.
The Sangha Members in attendance included:
Venerable Thich Phuoc Huu, Nth Sunshine, Victoria
Venerable Thich Phuoc Than
Venerable Sundtha
Venerable Lobsang Tendar
Venerable Sathindriya, Samadhi Buddhist Meditation, Victoria
Venerable Thich Phuoc Sun, Phouc Hue Monastery, New South Wales (NSW)
Venerable Ajan Brahm, Bodhinyana Monastery, (Western Australia (WA)
Venerable Thong Dung
Venerable Phuoc Vien
Venerable Sujato, Santi Forest Monastry, NSW
Venerable Pannyavaro, Buddha Dhamma Education Association, Sydney, Australia and Vice-President World Fellowship of Buddhists.
Venerable Thich Phuoc An, Sydney, NSW.
Venerable Thich Phuoc Hoan, Sydney
Venerable Thupten Lekshe, Jamchen Buddhist Centre, Melbourne
Venerable Lama Choedak Rinposhe, Virupa Retreat Centre, NSW.
Venerable Sao Hindriya, Yuroke, Victoria
Venerable P. Devarakkitha, St Albans, Victoria
Venerable Phra Nibuls Laporn, NSW
Venerable Lama David Christensen, Oddiyana Buddhist Meditation Centre, Hawthorn
Venerable Kalupatana, Sri Lanka
Venerable Somanand, Sri Lanka
Venerable Sudham Sudhammophikhi, Dhamakaya International Society of Australia,
Venerable Kaset, Struathfield, NSW, Australia
Venerable Sister Vayama, Dhammasara Nun's Monastery, WA
Venerable Miao Yu, IBCU, Yarraville, Victoria
Venerable Thich Phouc Hy, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney and
Venerable Thich Phuoc Man, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Chieu, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Hong, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Thanh, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Niun, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Bieu, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Thues, Phuoc Hue Monastery, Sydney
Venerable Thich Phuoc Nu Nhu Tai, Hue Nghiem Nunary, Victoria
Venerable Phuoc Sinh, To Hoe Nghiem, Springvale
Venerable Chi Kinan Suninm, the Seon Centre, King Lake
Venerable Lozang Tenzin, Bendigo, Victoria
Each day of the conference began with chanting homage to Buddha the enlightened one:
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammasambuddhassa
Venerable Pannyavaro guided metta (loving kindness) meditation and this helped all participants to calm their mind and promote good will for others.
Over the three day conference program, presentations and talks were given by:
Venerable Lama Choedak, Founder and Spiritual Director of 12 Buddhist Centres in Australia including Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Ponton Buddhist Training College, Virupa Retreat Centre and Jamchen Buddhist Centre.
Allison Ribush, Director of Mandala Books, spoke about publishing initiatives in Australia including Mandala Books and Lothian Books.
Brian Ashen, Chairperson, Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Dr Patricia Sherwood, Director of Sophia College of Counselling, WA,
Michael Wells, Buddhist Chaplain, Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Buddhist Federation Australia and Abbot of Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook, Melbourne.
Venerable Ajahn Sujato, Santi Forest Monastery, NSW.
Jill Jamison, Community Development Facilitator, Member of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists.
Professor Padmasiri De Silva, Research Fellow, Monash University, Melbourne.
Dr. Ranjith Hettiarchi, Chairman, Buddhist Federation of Australia.
Petra King, Quest for Life.
Venerable Chi Kwang Sunim.
Venerable Pannyavaro, Buddha Dhamma Education Foundation and Founder Buddhanet
Judith McDonald,Buddhist Council of Victoria.
Mr Luu Tuong Quang, Head of SBS Radio, Order of Australia 2002.
Venerable Ajahn Brahmavamso, Abbot Bodhinyana Monastery.
Venerable Ajahn Vayama, Abbot Dhammasara Nun's Monastery.
Venerable Traleg Rinpoche, President and Director of Kagyu Evam Buddhist Institute.
On the final day facilitated group discussions were generated a set of recommendations including:
A Sangha Day will be held in Australia each year for the Sangha from all traditions to meet and discuss amongst themselves.
That dana be offered to monks and nuns in the community.
That an Annual Australian Buddhist Youth Conference be organised.
Each Day the Conference concluded with the Merit Dedication, with all persons in attendance invited to read the dedication together:
"The purpose of our lives is to free all sentient beings from all suffering and its causes, to bring temporal and ultimate happiness to all sentient beings, and especially to bring them to the ultimate happiness of enlightenment.
In order to do this we must achieve enlightenment. Therefore, we are going to do service for suffering sentient beings who are most kind, from whom we have received all our happiness in the past, present, and future.
May we continue to live in pure moral conduct, listening to many teachings.
May we train the mind in pure conduct and pure view without corrupting the wisdom teachings of the Buddha.
Due to all these merits, may all the lower realms be empty forever.
Wherever there are people working to benefit others, may all their vows be accomplished immediately."
Through the merits of participating in this conference may we quickly attain enlightenment and lead all living beings, without exception into that awakened state."
As part of the concluding ceremony on the final day Certificates of Appreciation were presented by Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, Chairman of the Organising Committee, to each of the Volunteers in recognition of their help with the Conference.
A special thank you was made to the Members of the Quang Minh Temple, Braybrook, Victoria who provided food and refreshments to all conference participants and meals to those staying at the Temple and Student Village over the three days.
Seven Members from our Centre attended the Conference, providing support as Volunteers on all three days. Their major responsibility was as attendants to the Sangha (monks and nuns) throughout each the day, offering dana and responding to the Sangha's needs as appropriate. Other tasks fulfilled by our Members included: photographing, rapporteuring, ushers, drivers and workshop participants.
Pennie White participated as our representative and Liaison Officer for the World Buddhist University, and Vice-President International Dhamma Activities. A report on the Conference proceedings was prepared and has been forwarded to the World Buddhist University.
To read the full report on the Conference proceedings and view photographs go to the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review most recent addition published online at www.bddronline.net.au (our file reference: LAN 2 File reference I:\abgcrtp.rtf).
Over three hundred photographs were taken during the three days, which will be loaded to our BDDR Online website over coming weeks. A CD of the photographs will also be made and sent to Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan.
Through the dana of many beings our Members were able to offer many new Buddha Dhamma books to our John D. Hughes Collection Library. The books were offered at the conference as dana for participants.
Thank you to our Members and Friends, Julie O'Donnell, Julian Bamford, Lisa Nelson, David Ley, David Igracki, Frank Carter, Pennie White and Xiao Yan and the many others who helped to the make the conference a success.
Through the merits of participating in this conference may we quickly attain enlightenment and lead all living beings, without exception into that awakened state.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
Appendix 3
Multicultural Documentary Heritage Workshop
Canberra, 9 June 2004
By Evelin C. Halls, BA
The following information is a summary of information gathered from the Multicultural Documentary Heritage Workshop, National Library of Australia, with the cooperation of the National Archives, Canberra, 9-10 June 2004.
The purpose of attending this historical workshop was to write a fresh plan how to preserve the John D. Hughes Collection, our Multilingual Documentary Heritage Collection for Buddhist Scholars and Practitioners for at least 500 years.
In the opening speech Sir James Gobbo, Chairman of the National Library of Australia Council, said, "Materials such as photographs, letters, videos, oral history, newsletters, reports, minutes of meetings collected by ethnic communities are an important part of Australia's heritage. These items need to be preserved for future generations because they document migrants' experiences of settling in Australia and their significant contribution to Australian life".
Sir James Gobbo said the philosophy of multiculturalism has three parts:
1. Everyone that comes to this country must have a primary loyalty to Australia
2. Everyone must be free to maintain their own cultural heritage
3. Everyone must have respect for religions
The multicultural task force has the projects that the story of each group should be told, and that an encyclopaedia of the Australian people is produced.
The main aims for our heritage collection are to preserve, make accessible, and grow, for a long, long time.
The John D. Hughes Collection forms part of the mainstream repositories like the National Library.
An important step is that the community [members and friends of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.] does the maintaining and collection, that the community owns the asset, not individuals.
One way is to interview the old people about the collection and invite young people, have exhibitions, for example, and tell a story, and to continue that process.
The National Library of Australia wants a full record of Australia to be preserved (end of speech).
Significance
Refer to Significance - A Guide to Assessing the Significance of Cultural Heritage Objects and Collections, published by the Heritage Collections Council, 2003.
Website: http://www.dcita.gov.au
Email hcc.mail@dcita.gov.au
The guide Significance is a manual that explains the process of significance assessment and what it is.
The John D. Hughes Collection is significant.
The Significance guide teaches how we can use our collection and bring out significance and value. - What is the story behind it? The story is important.
"Significance" is not just the physical nature, it is much broader: the history and the value - the story behind the objects.
Be careful when you "restore": you may remove traces of the story; there is a temptation to make things look better but you lose the story.
Objects often have more than one significance, but it does not matter how many - it is about significance not scoring.
There are four points of significance:
1. Historic significance
People, events, places, themes.
2. Aesthetic significance
Includes fine design
3. Scientific or research significance
Research component: the potential to yield more information; research potential
4. Social or spiritual attachment
Means people having a connection, either social or spiritual, to what is there (not social as historic). Some objects are beyond material significance = spiritual meanings above their historic meanings
We will assess the John D. Hughes Collection's significance and apply these four criteria.
If the community ceases to value significance, no longer cares, it can diminish significance.
Provenance = the life story of the object.
Provenance is used to document the origin of the record; the original order is to be kept; if you do not know the order, look for connections.
Provenance has a long tradition in the art world. If we describe our significance, we can get a grant.
We are about to undergo a cultural change in our organisation on the basis of significance.
The story is important.
Preservation
Visit the Australian Museums and Galleries Online, AMOL at amol.org.au. This is a website from the National Library of Australia that provides copyright free manuals and guides how to work with and care for your collection. Copyright free means copy as much as you like.
We are legally required to provide one copy of our publications to the National Library in Canberra within one month of publication and one copy to our State Library within two months of publication (see "Legal Deposit" brochure).
Deterioration: what does one thing make last longer than another?
Setting up an Archive
"Illuminating the past,
Guiding the future"
(National Archives, Canberra)
An archive is a collection of stories, eg. The story about Buddhism, our organisation, Buddhism in Australia, etc. = the story of Australia.
Our story is told by the things we own, eg. Minute books, programs, reports, photos. The story is waiting to be written by historians, researchers, Buddhist scholars…
We must write down where everything is, and send copies of our archives to the State Library.
Document anything - ask for advice.
Custodians must be prepared to help and serve.
Responsibility with archives. It is essential that we document our work.
1. Collection policy
What, when, how, for whom …to collect
2. Access policy
Be definite: who, where, how
3. Descriptor standards
All lists must meet a certain standard (see publication and handout "keeping archives"
Control
When you leave you hand over control:
1. Physical control
2. Intellectual control
To further help ethnic communities the National Library has recently published Preserving Australia's Multicultural Documentary Heritage - a practical and easy guide to starting and maintaining an archival collection. The kit is available at www.nla.gov.au/multicultural/
The John D. Hughes Collection is listed on the Australian Libraries Gateway at www.nla.gov.au/libraries.
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