Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony
Quang Duc Monastery
Fawkner, Victoria Australia.
On Sunday morning, 10th of December 2000, the Buddhist monks, nuns and lay
Buddhists of Quang Duc Monastery in Fawkner, gathered together for the
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Meditation Hall and Youth
Activities Hall at the site 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner, Vic. 3060.
Honourable Sangha from left to right, Venerable Thich Bao Lac,
Deputy Chair and Secretary-General of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation, from Phap Bao Temple, Sydney. Most Venerable Thich Huyen
Ton, Member of the Honorary Elders Council of the unified Vietnamese
Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand, from Melbourne.
Most Venerable Thich Tam Chau, Patriarch of the World Vietnamese
Buddhist Order, from Montreal, Canada. Most Venerable Thich Nhu Hue,
Chairperson of the National Executive Council of the Unified Vietnamese
Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand, from Adelaide. Most
Venerable Ajhan Viryananda, Abbot of the Buddha Vihara Thai Temple, in
Box Hill, Victoria.
The proceedings began
with the Teaching of Buddhist doctrines by Venerable Thich Nhat Tan,
Commissioner for Youth Affairs and Abbot of Phap Quang Temple in
Queensland.
In attendance at the
ceremony was:
Most Venerable Thich
Tam Chau, Patriarch of the World Vietnamese Buddhist Order, Montreal,
Canada;
Most Venerable Thich
Huyen Ton, Member of the Honorary Elders Council of the Unified Vietnamese
Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand, Melbourne;
Most Venerable Thich
Nhu Hue, Chairperson of the National Executive Council, of the Unified
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia- New Zealand, from Adelaide;
Most Venerable Ajahn
Viriyananda, Abbot of the Buddha Vihara Thai Temple, in Box Hill,
Melbourne; Venerable Santhindrya, Sri
Lanka Buddhist Congregation in Victoria; Venerable Thich Bao Lac,
Deputy Chair and Secretary-General of our Congregation, from Phap Bao
Temple, Sydney;
Venerable Thich Tinh
Minh, Secretary-General, Ecclesiastical Council of our Congregation, from
Thien Duc Temple, Melbourne;
Venerable Thich Quang
Ba, Senior Deputy Chair of the Congregation, from Sakyamuni Buddhist
Centre, Canberra;
Venerable Thich Minh
Tri, Abbot Phuoc Tuong Temple, Melbourne; Venerable Thich Bon Dien,
Commissioner for Sangha Affairs of the Congregation, from Huyen Quang
Temple, Sydney; Venerable Thich Nguyen Truc, Deputy Commissioner for
Sangha Affairs, from A Di Da Temple, Sydney;
Venerable Thich Minh
Hieu, Abbot, Minh Quang Meditation Centre, Sydney;
Venerable Thich Tinh
Dao, Deputy Commissioner for the Laity Affairs of our Congregation, from
Linh Son Temple, Melbourne;
Venerable Thich Thien
Tam, from Hoa Nghiem Temple, Melbourne (the United Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation in Australia and New Zealand);
Venerable Thich Vien
Chon, Deputy Commissioner for Finance Affairs of the Congregation, from
Vinh Nghiem Temple, Sydney;
Venerable Thich Quang
Nghiem, Commissioner for Public Welfare Affairs of the Congregation, from
Phuoc Hau Temple, Sydney;
Venerable Thich Quang
Hoa, Van Hanh Monastery, Canberra;
Venerable Thich Nhuan
Kim, from Van Hanh Monastery, Canberra;
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Phuoc Tri, Commissioner for Bikkhuni Affairs of the Congregation,
the Quan Am Temple, Perth;
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Chon Dao, Deputy Commissioner for Bikkhuni Affairs, Perth;
Venerable Bikkhuni Thich Nu Tam Lac, Deputy Treasurer of the Congregation,
from Lien Hoa Temple, Sydney;
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Chan Kim, Abbot of Phat Quang Monastery, Victoria;
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Nhu Lan, from Phuoc Tri Nunnery, Victoria;
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Nguyen Khai from Mebourne,
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Dieu Anh from Brisbane,
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Hue Khiet from Sydney,
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Hanh Nguyen from Melbourne,
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nu Phuoc Dat from Melbourne,
Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Hanh Thuong,
and Venerable Bikkhuni
Thich Nguyen Chi.
The distinguished
guests in attendance at the ceremony included the Federal Minister for
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP.
Minister Ruddock had visited the Quang Duc Temple on a previous occasion
about 3 years earlier for the Inauguration Ceremony of the Quang Duc
Monastery.
Other distinguished
guests in attendance were:
Hon. Sang Nguyen,
Member of Legislative Council, Victoria Parliament;
Ms Kaye Darveniza, MLC,
Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier on Multicultural Affairs;
Ms Stella Kariofyllidis,
Mayor of the City of Moreland;
Mr. Mike Zafiropoulos,
Manager, SBS Radio Station, Melbourne;
Mr. Doan Viet Trung,
President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia;
Mr. Kevin Kinna,
Manager - Multicultural Affairs, Settlement Planning & Information;
Professor and Mrs.
Nguyen Ngoc Phach;
Mr Rob Wood, Director
of Moral Re-armament Society in Melbourne;
Mr Chris Knauf, Employment & Training Consultant;
Mr Lam Nhu Tang, Deputy
Commissioner for Culture and Educational Affairs of the Unified Vietnamese
Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand;
Mrs Rilla Oellien and
Mr. Frank Carter from the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.,
Victoria;
Mr Chris McKeown and
Mrs Christine McKeown from the Tibetan Buddhist Society in Victoria,
Mr Quoc Viet, Head of
the Vietnamese Language Program, SBS Radio, Melbourne;
Mr Bill Chung, the
voluntary builder for the Van Duc Monastery project;
Mr Nguyen Kien Thanh,
the Architect; Mr David Nowak and Mr Young, Civil Engineers for the
construction project;
Mr Long Quan, Chief
Editor, Human Right Vietnamese Weekly in Victoria;
Mr. Brendan, Community
News of Moreland City Council;
and approximately 500
Vietnamese and Australian Buddhist laypersons attending.
After the
distinguished guests had been introduced and welcomed the National Anthems
of Australia and Vietnam were played. The opening speech for the occasion
was made by Venerable Thich Tam Phuong, Abbot of the Quang Duc Monastery
(in Vietnamese, then English translation). The Venerable Abbot expressed
his wishes for this building to be for Buddhist Monks, Nuns and Buddhist
laypersons in order that they have a place to practice Buddhism and serve
all the community’s purposes.
The Venerable’s full
speech is reprinted below:
From April 1975, which
was a turning point of the Vietnamese history, many million Vietnamese had
to leave their homeland to find freedom. Among these people, there were a
lot of Vietnamese Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people who established a
new life abroad, and thus, the Vietnamese Buddhist Temples were created in
these new countries to meet the religious needs of these people. We,
Vietnamese, especially Buddhist followers, whenever we live, whatever we
face, we never lose our cultural traditions. The most symbolic is a
Vietnamese pagoda, where people can cultivate the spiritual life. The
Buddhist pagoda not only carried a sacred duties to shield the spirit of
the Vietnamese, it is also considered to be an education centre, a place
where people can leave evil and follow the good; to give up the wrong and
return to the right; to help people attain perfection through the three
principles: Compassion, Wisdom and Courage.
Nowadays, in our situation, living far away from our
motherland, the Buddhist Temple has increasingly played an important role
in the preservation and development the Vietnamese culture. The harmonious
way the Vietnamese life has reflected the Buddhist principle in every way.
Throughout Vietnam, every province, every village would have at least one
Buddhist Temple. As you know, The Quang Duc Monastery was established in
1990 in a small three-roomed house for worship, religious education and
many various Buddhist activities at 30 Bamburg St, Broadmeadows. As time
went by, the number of Buddhist believers increased, along with their
basic needs. We tried to find a new place for the temple.On 20 of May
1997, thanks to the Buddha's blessing, we were lucky enough to purchase
from the Education Department an old school, on an area of nearly 8000
square metres for the cost $350,000. As this is an old primary school, we
have had to change a lot of things to turn it into a Buddhist center.
Since the new contemporary temple was established, many community
activities have been organised.These include Buddhist Doctrine classes,
Buddhist youth family, Vietnamese Language school, which all help children
to maintain their Buddhist tradition, spirit and Vietnamese culture …these
classes are held every weekend. In the meantime, the number of Buddhist
followers was increasing , but, the Worship Hall and Youth Activities Hall
have limited space and are not large enough to cater for the needs and
services of Vietnamese and local communities, and these facilities are
steadily deteriorating. We have asked permission to rebuild them and
Moreland City Council has already granted us this permission.
The foundation stone laying ceremony today represents the
successful beginning of the temple. The building will be constructed in
harmony with both the Australian and Vietnamese cultures. The attributes
which we would like to build the temple with are: that it will suit the
Australian environment, meet the needs for activities of the local
Buddhist as well as display Vietnamese Buddhist culture. The total cost of
the building project is 1.2 million Australian dollars.
The second speech was
given by the Most Venerable Thich Nhu Hue, Chairperson of the National
Executive Council, of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
Australia-New Zealand, from Adelaide. The Chairperson explained the
sacrifices made to protect the equal rights of religion in Vietnam. He
said:
It was the First
Republic Government who gave the order to bring down all the Buddhism
flags during the Buddha's birthday on May 1963. There were 9 Buddhists
killed at the radio broadcasting station in Hue on that day of the 8th
of May, 1963. The Buddhists requested the government to carry out only
five simple and moderate points, the government of the President Ngô dình
Diem showed no attempt to uphold the request, they tried to endlessly
suppress the mass instead.
At the views that Buddhists everywhere were oppressed,
terrorized, people living in fear and under continuous threatening, the
Most Venerable Thích Quang Duc made a vow to burn himself to awaken the
consciousness of the government and also to notify the world that the
Vietnamese Buddhism was being suppressed and maltreated by a Christian
government. The sacred and magical fire from his body brought a bright
light to the whole world. The whole world paid a full respect to him,
especially in the Buddhist countries, he was praised and admired by
everyone. His sacrifice is a great contribution to the modern Vietnamese
Buddhism. Mediating on this event, we find that his determination was not
for the sake of his individual benefit, it originated from the great basic
vow, it was the great compassion which was being soaked in blood, in fire
and in suffering. More meaningfully, he used the torch of wisdom to
lighten the ignorant, to pray for awakening to the government so that they
would not continue to carry out more sins and to avoid the unwholesome
results.
Nowadays, the Venerable Abbot Thích Tâm Phuong and Thich
Nguyen Tang decided to have the name of the above Vietnamese well-known
monk, the monk who fulfilled three virtues: Compassion, Wisdom and Energy,
for this monastery. The monastery is the place for religious training and
studying for the community who follow the footsteps of The Most Venerable
Thích Quang Duc on the way to find out the real truth. It is a significant
work and worthy to be praised. On this occasion, I would like to advise
that all the Buddhists should heartily contribute in building the Quang
Duc Monastery because the former structure was from an old school which is
no longer suitable for the religious activities. Moreover, the monastery
should bear the characteristics of the national culture, a place of solemn
worshipping, a place where those who feel depressed can find peace, those
who are with unwholesome heart can be transformed better.
After completion, I hope the Quang Duc Monastery will be
one of the Buddhist centers that can provide services throughout
Australia.
In his speech The Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, Minister for
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs commended the development of the
Quang Duc Monastery. He said:
I am delighted to be here for the laying of the
foundation stone of this new temple, it is not the first occasion that I
have been here, I recall well my visit in 1997 and I have been reminded of
it by being presented with delightful photographs for which I thanked the
Abbot. I recall well the visit of the Most Venerables and Venerable
representatives that have come to Australia before but I, like them
delighted to witness the very considerable progress that has made here at
Fawkner with the new garden settings, the traditional gate, the walls and
of course the many very important symbols Buddhism which will make this a
very important and significant site in the future.
This is an occasion to reflect on the future but also to
remember the past. This is an occasion to reflect upon what will be done
here, on this site in building a new temple because here the community
will demonstrate its continuing drive, determination and the hope as it
builds for the future. I know that as Buddhists you will also demonstrate
the virtues of patience and endurance as you strive to raise the money for
this very important new development. But these of course are attributes
which your community demonstrates everyday, through having come to
Australia many of you through the refugees experience. You have been an
example of the way in which people can build their lives afresh and anew.
I am always delighted, not so much as I have to
acknowledged Sang Nguyen as a Labour member of parliament, but when I
acknowledge that you have Vietnamese representatives in our parliament
today. I am delighted at the professionalism that so many have
demonstrated in their new careers here in Australia. The government takes
the opportunity quite frequently to utilise the skills and attributes of
your community.
The next speech was
made by Ms. Kaye Darveniza, MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier on
Multicultural Affairs. She commended that the Monastery had foreseen the
need to develop in anticipation of the growing needs of its community.
They have understood that the settlement of the Vietnamese community is an
on-going process, requiring forward planning and appropriate solutions,
she said:
Today's foundation stone laying ceremony represents the
Monastery's efforts to respond to these challenges. It is pro-active in
meeting the needs of those it serves. It sets a remarkable example to our
many diverse communities in Victoria. The Victorian Government is highly
supportive of our many diverse communities. Today's ceremony is evidence
of our communities shaping their own future. The continuous development of
the Monastery and it’s facilities is a worthwhile and important step
forward for all concerned. In future, the building will provide an
extensive worship hall, youth activities hall, ... in addition to the
existing Buddhist and Vietnamese educational services catering to the
traditional, spiritual and cultural needs of the Vietnamese community. It
is an incredible development in the Monastery's short life. I wish you
well with the progress of the anticipated works and the future of the
Quang Duc Monastery in general.
Ms. Stella
Kariofyllidis, Mayor of the City of Moreland in her speech said:
...that this ceremony is an important celebration for all
citizens of the city of Moreland. Moreland Council has expressed a strong
commitment to the pursuit of justice and multiculturalism. The local
government of Moreland believes that it has a obligatory role to play in
this arena. Moreland will continue to work and help individuals and groups
achieve that aim. As we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the
freedom to pursue his or her faith, religion or culture. I commend the
work you are doing in the community as being vital for all our future
betterment.
Mr Trung Doan Viet,
President of the Vietnamese Community in Australia thanked Quang Duc
Monastery, which he said had contributed many good things for Australian
society. He said:
Having been brought to Australia by the Fraser
Government, and since then having been welcome with opened arms by
governments of all colours, Labour, Liberal and by the whole community of
Australians, I think as an ordinary Australian, I feel that the least we
could do in return is to help and enrich the cultural life of Australia,
and I am sure you would all agree with me that Quang Duc monastery has
been, is and after the Foundation Laying Ceremony today will continue to
be a very very significant part of that effort of our community.
At the conclusion of
the speeches the twenty-three Buddhist Monks and eight Nuns stood together
before the Buddha altar and chanted Buddhist prayers and blessings for the
security and protection of the new Monastery buildings and for the well
being of the assembly.
Finally, the Foundation
Stone for the new Monastery was jointly laid by Most Venerable Thich Nhu
Hue, The Head of the Buddhist Congregation; Honorable Philip Ruddock,
Federal Minister of Immigration; Mrs. Stella Kariofyllidis, Mayor of
Moreland City Council; and Venerable Thich Tam Phuong, Abbot of Quang Duc
Monastery.
The first ten of bricks
of the new building were jointly laid by the following ten people: Most
Venerable Thich Tam Chau; Most Venerable Thich Huyen Ton; Most Venerable
Ajahn Viryananda; Mr. Minh Duc Le van Hoi, representative for Vietnamese
Buddhist Community; Ms. Kaye Darveniza, MLC; Mr. Mike Zafiropoulos, SBS
Radio; Mr. Doan Viet Trung; Mr. Rob Wood; Mr. Quoc Viet, SBS Radio; Mr.
Long Quan, Human Right Vietnamese Weekly.
The Foundation Stone
Laying Ceremony to build the Meditation Hall and Youth Activity was
successfully completed in the midst of the dragon dance and Buddhist
entertainment.
The Vice-Abbot Thich
Nguyen Tang said that the construction the Quang Duc Monastery will be
officially breaking soil on Sunday 4th February, 2001. The construction
will be managed by architect Nguyen Kien Thanh and engineer David Nowak.
The total cost of construction will be one million two hundred thousand
Australian dollars $1,200,000. This is an enormous project for the
Buddhist community in Victoria, both in size and financial terms, hence it
needs all the contributions and good-hearted willingless from the
community in helping to successfully complete this great project.
This article was
written by the Venerable Thich Nguyen Tang, Deputy Secretary-General of
the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation, from Quang Duc Monastery,
Melbourne.
Report of the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony
On Sunday 10 December 2000 the Quang Duc
Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria held a Foundation Stone Laying
Ceremony for its new Monastery at 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner, Victoria.
Master John D. Hughes from the Buddhist
Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. was in Thailand at the 21st General
Conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists and appointed delegates
Frank Carter and Rilla Oellien to attended the ceremony as Buddhist
Discussion Centre (Upwey ) Ltd. Representatives.
The Quang Duc Monastery relocated in 1997
from a small Temple in Broadmeadows to 105 Lynch Road, Fawkner. Since
then, many activities have been organised which include Buddhist Doctrine
Classes, Buddhist Youth Family, Bo De Vietnamese Language School, which
all help children to maintain their Buddhist tradition, spirit and
Vietnamese culture. The Worship Hall and Youth Activities Hall have
limited rooms/spaces and are not large enough to cater for the needs and
services of Vietnamese and local communities. With the approval of the
local authorities, the further building works can now take place. The
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony at the Quang Duc Monastery on 10 December
2000, was the first step in a $1.2 million dollar building construction
project.
Upon arrival at the
Quang Duc Monastery at approximately 10:30am on Sunday 10 December, our
Members were warmly greeted by Members and Friends of the Monastery. Our
Members were introduced to Mr Lam Nhu Tang, Deputy Commissioner for
Culture and Educational Affairs of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
congregation in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Lam Nhu Tang kindly assisted
our Members with providing a list of the Guests of Honour and other
information regarding the Unified Vietnamese Australian Buddhist Congress
of Australia and New Zealand. Thank you to Mr Lam Nhu Tang for his
kindness and generous assistance.
Mr Lam Nhu Tang
explained the Quang Duc Monastery is named after The Most Venerable Thich
Quang Duc who died in 1963.
The Master of
Ceremonies, Venerable Thich Nhat Tan, welcomed the Venerable Sangha,
Distinguished Guests and the congregation at approximately 11:00am. The
Australian and Vietnamese anthems were played followed by one minutes
silence. Venerable Thich Nhat Tan introduced the speakers.
Venerable Thich Tam
Phuong, Commissioner for Youth Affairs of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation and Abbot of Quang Duc Monastery, Victoria, officially opened
the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony.
Most Venerable Thich
Nhu Hue, Chairperson of the National Executive Council of the Unified
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand, from
Adelaide.
The Honoured Guests
representing Federal and State Governments paid tribute and offered their
best wishes for the success of the construction of the new Quang Duc
Monastery:
The Honorable Philip Ruddock, MP, Federal Minister for Immigration and
Multicultural Affairs,
Ms Kaye Darveniza, MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier on
Multicultural Affairs,
Ms Stella Kariofyllidis, Mayor of the City of Moreland'
Mr Doan Viet Trung, President of Vietnamese Community in Australia and
Most Venerable Thich Tam Chau, Patriarch of the World Vietnamese Buddhist
Order, from Montreal, Canada.
Closing remarks were
made by Mr Nguyen Tan Si, Member of the Quang Duc Monastery and organising
committee, wishing the Quang Duc success with the construction project.
Venerable Thich Bao
Lac, Most Venerable Thich Huyen Ton, Most Venerable Thich Tam Chau, Most
Venerable Thich Nhu Hue, Most Venerable Ajhan Viryananda and Venerable
Sangha chanted blessings in Vietnamese and Chinese and made offerings.
Venerable Thich Bao
Lac, Most Venerable Thich Huyen Ton, Most Venerable Thich Tam Chau, Most
Venerable Thich Nhu Hue, Most Venerable Ajhan Viryananda and Distinguised
Guests laid bricks for the Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony while
Venerable Sangha chanted blessings in Vietnamese.
The Venerable Sangha
and all guests were then offered Dana in the form of food and
refreshments.
Thank you Venerable
Thich Tam Phuong, Abbot of Quang Duc Monastery, and Venerable Thich Nguyen
Tang, Vice Abbot of Quang Duc Monastery, for inviting John D. Hughes,
Founder, of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd to this most
auspicious event and for your kindness and generosity shown to our two
Members.
Our appreciation and
gratitude is also given to Mr. Lam Nhu Tang, Deputy Commissioner for
Culture and Educational Affairs of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
congregation in Australia and New Zealand. Mr Lam Nhu Tang warmly welcomed
Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.Members Frank Carter and Rilla
Oellien upon their arrival at the Quang Duc Monastery on the day of the
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony.
Mr Lam Nhu Tang kindly
assisted our Members throughout the day by providing a list of the Guests
of Honour, information about the history of the Quang Duc Temple and other
information regarding the Unified Vietnamese Australian Buddhist Congress
of Australia and New Zealand. Thank you to Mr Lam Nhu Tang for his
kindness and generous assistance.
This report was written by Frank Carter and Rilla Oellien, edited by
Pennie White and Evelin Halls.
