Home
Chan Academy Australia is a registered trading name
of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
33 Brooking Street, Upwey 3158 Victoria. Australia
A.C.N. 005 701 806 A.B.N. 42 611 496 488
e-mail: chanacademy@bdcu.org.au
website: www.bdcu.org.au
Regional Centre of the World Fellowship of Buddhists
Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University
Member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (Aust)
NAMO TASSA BHAGAVATO ARAHATO SAMMASAMBUDDHASSA
JOHN D. HUGHES DHAMMA CETIYA
MEDITATION HALL & LIBRARY
Official Opening - Sunday 9th September 2007
REPRESENTING THE PREMIER OF VICTORIA.
THE HON JAMES MERLINO
MINISTER FOR SPORT RECREATION AND YOUTH AFFAIRS, AND
MINISTER ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
Good afternoon.
It’s my pleasure to join you for today’s
Grand Opening of the John D Hughes Dhamma Cetiya Meditation Hall and Library.
It’s wonderful to see such a diverse representation of
ethnic backgrounds all gathered together to celebrate this important occasion.
I understand we have representatives from
the Burmese, Vietnamese, Sri Lankan, Cambodian, and
Thai communities just to name a few – emphasising
that, in many ways, Victoria’s Buddhist community stands as
a thriving microcosm of our State’s diversity with
a multitude of cultures, nationalities, and languages,
all intersecting and interacting under one all-embracing banner.
I’d like to note my appreciation for the excellent work
of the Yarra Ranges Shire Council for their role
in nurturing the rich cultural vitality of
this magical corner of Victoria. One need
only spend a few hours up here to see
why so many visitors come away inspired by the sense
of peace and positive creative energy that permeates throughout
the area. A positive energy that can only be heightened
by the addition of this impressive new multi-purpose
Centre, which itself stands as a marvellous
testament to the talent and generosity of individuals
and groups, many of whom donated their time and expertise voluntarily.
American civil-rights leader Martin Luther King
Jr. once said that: “faith is taking the
first step even when you don't see the
whole staircase.” I’m sure that for all involved
in the construction of these facilities, it must
be a wonderful vindication of their faith in
that original vision of John D
Hughes to create an oasis of education, reflection and peace.
It is a long term vision that the
Brumby Labor Government shares for all
our faith communities. A multi-faith and
multicultural approach which specifically targets priority
areas for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
We are already enacting this approach through
a variety of policies and programs designed
to strengthen religious freedoms and nurture interfaith
activity. For example, the upcoming Multifaith Multicultural
Youth Forum where youths from a broad
range of cultural and religious backgrounds, including
Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and Muslim, will come
together to compare their perspectives and experiences
of life in a multicultural society.
And the Multifaith Multicultural Youth Network – a
select group of 16-25 year olds from
a diversity of faiths and life experiences
who will provide regular feedback to Government
from a young person’s perspective. Not
to mention the next Parliament of the
World's Religions which Melbourne will be hosting
in late 2009. An event that will
see representatives from across the globe coming
together to foster dialogue among the faiths
and cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities.
Each of these initiatives exemplify the
way Victoria is building upon our proud
legacy of mutual acceptance and understanding, and
setting new standards for individuals and communities
to relate to each other in a multicultural, multi-faith society.
Because we believe it is not enough for
us to “keep the faith” when it comes to inclusiveness and
respect for difference. We must be willing to pass it on.
With the opening of this meditation hall and
library, our Buddhist community will not only have
a lasting reminder of the guiding hand of founder
John D Hughes, but a valuable resource to help future
Victorians conceive and construct their lives.
“Thousands of candles can be lit from
a single candle,” says Buddha. If the enthusiasm
at today’s Grand Opening is any guide,
that candle of wisdom and compassion carried
by John D Hughes will continue to light the way for generations to come.
I wish you well and look forward to
continuing the Brumby Labor Government’s
close working relationship with our Buddhist
community as our State strives to be the best it possibly can be.
Thank you.
May You Be Well and Happy
Top | Home