A
New Lotus Garden Down-Under, Quang Duc Buddhist
Monastery’s
Official
Opening
Ceremony,
Special Conference and Australian Citizenship Ceremony, Melbourne
Australia
Reported
by Quang Tu Chris Dunk
Fawkner, Victoria, Australia, Friday 10th
October to Sunday12th 2003
After three years, concerted community action, hard
work and single mindedness, the construction the Quang
Duc Buddhist Monastery’s 2 story complex, consisting of the upper worship
hall and ground floor multi-purpose hall, has been completed.
The Official Opening
Ceremony was held over three days, form Friday 10th October to
Sunday12th 2003 culminating in some 5000 people attending the
Sunday ceremony. What a spectacular event it was, the Buddhist ceremonies,
the color and the joy of having raised such a magnificent place out of the
ground was appreciated by all in attendance.
Over the three days, a
special conference of the United Vietnamese Buddhist Church was organized
prior to the Official Consecration Ceremony of the
building complex. The occasion also was a chance to celebrate the
appointment of Most Venerable Thich
Huyen Quang’s to his newly announced
position as the Sangha President of the
Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
Church.
The
ceremony was attended by some 134 Buddhist monks and nuns from around the
world and Australia, such as; Most Ven. Thich Ho Giac, The President of
Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in United States of America, Most
Ven. Thich Huyen Ton, the Central Sangha Council of the Unified Vietnamese
Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand, Most Ven. Thich Nhu
Hue, The President of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
Australia and New Zealand, Most Ven. Thich Minh Tam, president of
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Europe (France), Dharma Preacher Thich
Giac Duc, Deputy-President of Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
United States of America, Most Ven. Ajhan Viryananda, for Thai Buddhist
Association in Box Hill Victoria Australia, Most Ven. Thich Bao Lac,
Deputy- president of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
Australia and New Zealand, Ven. Thich Tinh Minh, Chief Secretary The
Central Sangha Council of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
Australia and New Zealand, Ven. Thich Nhu Dien, Chief Secretary,
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Europe (Germany), Ven. Thich Quang Ba,
Deputy-President of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in
Australia and New Zealand, Ven. Thich Bon Dien, Commissioner for Bhikkhu
Affairs, of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia and
New Zealand.
Distinguished guests included
those from Australian Local, State and Federal Government levels,
including; the Hon. Garry Hardgrave, Minister for Citizenship and
Multicultural Affairs, Senator Jacinta Tchen, representative for the
Australian Prime Minister John Howard, Mr. Kelvin Thomson MP, Federal
Labor Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Matter; Mr. Anthony,
Federal Labor Senator, Member for Holt ; Mr. Sang Nguyen, member of
Legislative Council, Parliament House, Melbourne; Cr. Joe Ficarra, Mayor
of Moreland City Council, VIC; Cr. Thang Ngo, Councillor of Fairfield City
Council, NSW; Mr. Doan Trung, Federal president of
Vietnamese Community in Australia;
Mr. Luu Tuong Quang,
Head of SBS Radio, Australia; Mr & Mrs David Ingram,
Acting Head of SBS Radio, Australia; Mrs Ngoc
Han, Head of the Vietnamese program, SBS Radio, Sydney; Mr. Quoc Viet,
Head of the Vietnamese program, SBS Radio, Melbourne.; Mr. Vo Van Ai,
Director of International Buddhist Information Bureau Unified Buddhist
Church of Vietnam in France; Mrs Y Lan, Secretary
of International Buddhist Information Bureau Unified Buddhist Church of
Vietnam in France; Mr. John Hughes,
Director of Buddhist Discussion Centre, Victoria; Mr Brian S. Ashen, Chair
of Buddhist Council of Victoria; Mr. Rob Wood, Director of Moral
Re-armament Society in Melbourne; Mr. Chris Knauf, Employment & Training
Consultant; Dr. John McCormark, Social Work Department, Latrobe
University; Dr. Greg Baily, Asian Studies Department, Latrobe University;
Dr. Helen, Social Sciences (Anthropology) Department, Latrobe University;
Dr. Lam Nhu Tang, Deputy- Commissioner for Culture and Education of the
Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in Australia and New Zealand; Mr.
Long Quan, Chief Editor, Human Right Vietnamese Weekly in Victoria; Mr.
Hong Ha, Chief Editor, Vietnamese Community Newspaper in Victoria; Mr.
Nguyen Van Thanh, Architect of Quang Duc Building Construction, Mr. David
Nowak, Engineer of Quang Duc Building Construction, Mr. Young , Engineer
of Quang Duc Building Construction, Mrs Nam Dao from Vietnamese Language
Radio and another 40 representatives within Vietnamese community inside
and outside Victoria.
The
Official Inauguration Ceremony was preceded by the Australia National
Anthem and those of Vietnam and the Buddhist anthem. A minutes silence was
observed meditating on world peace. An Opening address by the Chair of the
Organizing Committee, the Very Venerable Thich Tam Phuong, founding
Abbot and building project manager of the new Quang Duc Monastery
building was delivered. Vice-Abbot Venerable Thich Nguyen Tang,
read the English translation.
Ven. Thich Tam Phuong
Venerable Thich Tam Phuong
reminded the audience that Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam in the 1st
century AD and was quickly adapted into the Vietnamese way of life;
carrying sublimate Buddhist ideas enriching their lives, and helping them
find solutions to human issues and of life generally. He quoted two poems
illustrating the importance to Buddhism and Vietnamese culture: ‘The
roof of the temple covers the Vietnamese nation‘s spirit.
The way of living of our ancestors is living forever in our life’.
and: ‘The temple is the culture of our
native home land. It is a place to show the love of the Vietnamese people.
Venerable Phuong spoke of the, the major turning point in
Vietnamese history after April 1975, many Vietnamese forced to leave for
overseas and the establishment of Buddhist pagodas appearing around the
world as Vietnamese strived to maintain the moral way of life as Buddhists
and to maintain their cultural traditions enmeshed within the temple as
the center of Vietnamese Buddhism. He told of the first Quang Duc
Monastery site he established originally in 1990 in a small house that
soon became inadequate to meet the needs of the local Vietnamese community
which soon outgrew its ability to service community needs. The Association
was fortunate to purchase the new site, a decommissioned primary school in
Fawkner the foundation stone laying ceremony being held on the10th of
December 2000.
Venerable Phuong though
obviously proud of the new beautifully appointed building reminded the
audience that the real message of the temple was a spiritual one, and that
we should be guarded in not just appreciating the appearance of the place,
magnificently beautiful as it is. He reminded us that; ‘we must be
careful and be guarded towards thinking that to build a beautiful temple
is better than cultivating our mind which is the real purpose of this
place; that it is solely designed to enable us all to cultivate our minds
towards being large and beautiful. We need to cultivate our minds, develop
compassion wisdom and courage and become as the Buddha instructed us, our
true self. We must emphasize however that this construction has already
provided an indication of such a mind, all who have been involved,
organizers, builders fund raisers, supporters, cleaners, cooks and all the
countless people, parts, and particles that has gone into this place,
indicate the largesse of the Buddha’s mind at work in each and all of us
and also as all of us. We thank you all from our hearts, for all the help,
support and well wishes of you all. You who have worked and still work so
hard, in the many kinds of factories, the companies and private businesses
and households, to earn your living and as well donate funds and time
towards this project. Without your contribution, this building would not
have risen from the dust as it has. We would like to say special thanks to
all members of the Quang Duc Monastery. All of you have contributed your
meritorious deeds to this special ceremony. On this occasion, we would
like to express our deepest thanks to all of you for your wonderful
compassion, generosity and great heart in building this temple. I would
like to respectfully pay tribute to the Most Venerable, and Venerable,
monks and nuns, government representatives, and all the Vietnamese and
Australian people who are attending this ceremony. This is a special and
important moment; it is the time the lotus is blooming in Australia. Today
is also a wonderful day for all of Buddhist monks and nuns in this
ceremony to celebrate the Opening festival of Quang Duc Buddhist
Monastery, and to also to celebrate the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang
in his newly announced position as the Sangha President of the Unified
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation. With that concept and in harmony with
this cheerful celebration, on behalf of Quang Duc temple, I would like to
declare open the Inauguration ceremony”.
Ven Thich Nguyen Tang
Other
congratulatory speeches and messages were delivered by or on behalf of
prominent speakers including Most Ven.
Thich Nhu Hue,
President of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation of Australia-New Zealand, Praising the merits of all
associated with building the temple complex including the greater
Australian Community and all levels of Government in particular in the
Vietnamese community gaining such a quality of life after such difficult
times and having to leave their homeland; He said,
“Whilst enjoying fruits we should remember the
planters, and drinking water we should remember the well diggers”, as
taught by our ancestors, we have to acknowledge the good deeds to return
the gratitude. The kindness and good deeds that we have to aim towards to
return the gratitude are: the gratitude towards this very country and the
Australian society being so kind and generous to give us a chance to
restore our lives. We were like trees that were already bare suffering
through harsh winter months. Now with good climate, favourable environment
and other appropriate conditions, the trees are growing new shoots,
blooming and bearing fruits. The early season fruits will let us savour
the sweet aroma and taste. He thanked the
Australian nation, its people and governments in granting Vietnamese
refugees such a peaceful and rewarding home, reminding us the\at the
temple is yet a school still, training us towards greater self now and in
the future beyond this time but still here reminding all of the dedication
of those who came to Australia after 1975, their efforts towards future
generations through the temples message and community building activities.
He emphasised the combined effort of all who made the site possible; “
A swallow alone cannot create the season of spring”, therefore one person
could not have the talent, the strength to complete great achievements and
it takes many minds, hands and hearts united to complete an architectural
work of art in the shape of this monastery.
Most Ven Thich Nhu Hue
The
Honorary Mr. Gary Hardgrave,
Federal Australian
Minister for Multicultural and Citizenship Affairs spoke in relation to
the special citizenship ceremony held on the same day, him being pleased
to mark the important event by holding a special Citizenship Ceremony.
Saying that the most visible way in which people, who have made Australia
their home, and demonstrate their full commitment to the country was to
become it’s citizens. Like many refugees and migrants before them,
Vietnamese people came to Australia attracted by democratic traditions and
values and it is their commitment to that explains a very high proportion
(over 93%) of Vietnamese who take up Australian citizenship. Australian
citizenship has brought people from diverse cultural backgrounds together
in a spirit of national unity, with a strong focus on shared values. These
values include respect for the law, support for our democratic system of
government, due regard for the beliefs and practices of other people, and
an all-encompassing loyalty to Australia's interests, recognizing
Australian citizenship as a common bond, made meaningful because it
embraces a common understanding of, and commitment to, the rights and
responsibilities of all our peoples.
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Mr. Gary Hardgrave, |
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Mr. Steve Bracks |
Hon.
John Howard |
Mr.
Joe Ficarra |
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Victorian State Premier, Mr. Steve Bracks,
sent a congratulatory message saying
that members of the Vietnamese Buddhist
community brought with them through Buddhism, their values of
non-violence, tolerance and universal compassion – values to which we
should all aspire and thanked
the community for the contribution to the Buddhist, the Vietnamese and
greater Victorian community for the values and qualities Buddhist
communities aspire to.
Most Ven. Thich Minh Tam
Most
Venerable Thich Minh Tam, Chair
of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation
in Europe gave us a message that,
importantly, told of the Most Venerable Quang Duc’s
spiritual legacy of his life being still with us as ‘the resplendent
halo of a Bodhisattva‘s heart’ inspiring us all to better things and
great action on behalf of all even though we face similar problems in the
world as was present in his time. He urged us
to commemorate his life maintaining memorial to him and his high
values, and his great labours during his life being a great master so
devoted to Vietnam, the Vietnamese people and Vietnamese Buddhism indeed
all people and sentient beings everywhere. He praised the name of the Most
Venerable Thich Quang Duc as being a name used for building and centres
that represent quality and the highest human values of service to all and
the honour that the new temple had in having his name and ideals
associated with it as an example of transplanted Vietnamese Buddhism
overseas, he said, ‘The opening of the new temple being today being a
good example of such a place far from its original homeland an important
necessary place, playing a great role spreading Buddhist doctrine, helping
people to find a place to be themselves, to taking refuge , to practice
Buddhism and at the same time maintain Vietnamese language and culture
abroad’.
Australian
Prime Minister John Howard provided a
congratulatory message, read by Senator Jacinta Tchen
praised the Quang Duc Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria for
providing ‘assistance to both the Vietnamese and the wider community in
both spiritual and practical ways including youth initiatives, support for
refugees, the aged, the homeless and
others in need and that the .
The new Worship Centre and Youth Activities Hall will enable this work to
continue to even greater effect’.
He said that, ‘Australia is now home to members of all world religions
and respect for religious traditions is one very important way in which we
seek to address issues of conflict and intolerance. As a nation we value
diversity and respect the rights of citizens to maintain and develop their
cultural and religious beliefs. I commend the role played by the
Quang Duc Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria and the Unified
Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Australia-New Zealand, through their
spiritual and social initiatives, in making an important contribution to
the well-being of the Australian community as a whole. I send the
Venerable Thich Tam Phuong, and all those participating in this opening
celebration, my best wishes on this special occasion’.
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Wood |
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Hon Kevin Thomson |
Mr.
Brian Ashen |
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Mr.
Trung Doan |
Next
Messages from The Hon Kevin Thomson,
Shadow Minister for Sustainability and the Environment; Member for Wills,
and Local Moreland City (Fawkner is in the City of Moreland), Mayor
Cr. Joe Ficarra who said: The teachings of the Buddha offer a
spiritual and philosophical understanding that is both ancient and
contemporary. We are proud of the strength, cooperation and community
spirit that is generated by the diversity of our community. We are
committed to multiculturalism and we encourage and support the rich and
unique contributions made by individuals and groups in our community. The
Buddhist and Vietnamese communities have contributed immensely to the
spiritual, social, cultural and economic wealth of our city. The Quang Duc
Buddhist Welfare Association of Victoria
has provided thirteen years of spiritual and material service to
Vietnamese and other Buddhist followers in Moreland and beyond. The new
Worship Hall and Youth Activities Centre and the entire Fawkner Temple are
testaments to Quang Duc’s energy and commitment to the community. The
facility provides a great new opportunity for worship, for the provision
of welfare services and for building strength and connectedness within
your community. On behalf of Moreland City Council and the people of
Moreland, I thank you for your contribution and congratulate you on your
new facility. I look forward to working closely with you and your
community in the future”
Most Ven Thich Ho Giac
An
Ecclesiastical Message by Most Ven Thich Ho Giac, Deputy-Rector of
Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation, President of Executive Council
of United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation in America provided a message
praising the enormous effort of Venerable Thich Tam Phuong and that went;
‘Today, at this the Open Day of the Quang Duc
Buddhist Monastery in Melbourne, Australia, once again, I have the great
pleasure to see the success of a Vietnamese Buddhist organization
operating internationally beyond its original home providing service to
all. With his stable vows and his steadfast right efforts, the Very
Venerable Thich Tam Phuong, who came from a position of that of a refugee,
has worked together with the Monks, Nuns and Buddhist followers of
Melbourne and elsewhere to build this magnificent monastery and tribute to
the Dharma. The Quang Duc Monastery has arrived through this magnificent
combined effort of all concerned, has manifested into this wonderful
place today, not only an established local Buddhist organization , but
also as a major contributor to significantly promoting and maintaining
Vietnamese culture internationally. Here, beside the daily practice of
Buddhism, Monks and Nuns also have organized Buddhist activities and
programs to teach Buddhist doctrine, and practice for Vietnamese and all
other cultural groups of people making up the Australian community who
also seek enlightenment and relief from suffering. Quang Duc Monastery
staff followers and supporters have also opened the Vietnamese language
school for children who will grow up in this great English speaking land
of opportunity, being taught to maintain their Vietnamese language and
culture. The Quang Duc Buddhist bilingual website
www.quangduc.com
is well established as a major resource
providing the Dharma throughout the world an electronic Buddhist library
rich with information and Buddhist documents of the two traditions, that
of Theravada and Mahayana vehicles. These wonderful propagating activities
have been performed by all concerned within the Quang Duc Monastery and
therefore, today, we say “ Welcome to the Inaugural Quang Duc Monastery
Day ”, but keeping in mind that it is really all Buddhist activities
throughout time and space that have contributed to the success of this
day. Every day, throughout time through the Bodhisattva vows and the
extraordinary efforts of Monks and Nuns from long time ago to present in
this Monastery and elsewhere this effort has borne rich and valuable
fruit. In the secular point of view, the time of this anniversary, marks a
particular point in time, the completion the first step, which motivates
action towards the next steps ongoing towards necessary and useful action
and attainments. That is the reason the aim and significance of this
Opening ceremony of Quang Duc Monastery today”.
The
Cutting the Inauguration Ribbon on the steps of the new building was
performed. The Ten VIPs attending the ceremony jointly cut the ribbon:
Those being the Most Ven Thich Ho Giac, Most Ven Thich Phuoc Thanh, Most
Ven Thich Nhu Hue, Most Ven Thich Minh Tam, Most Ven Thich Tinh Hanh, Most
Ven Thich Huyen Ton, Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Hon Jacinta Tchen, Mr. Luu Tuong
Quang, and our dear hardworking Abbot, Ven Thich Tam Phuong. As the
ribbon separated and fell away and as Most Thich Minh Tam had said, ‘a
Lotus bloomed in the snow’ another Buddhist Center was opened far
from its original home.
The timely and very auspicious Consecration
Ceremony for the Most Venerable Thich Huyen Quang in his newly
announced position as the Supreme Patriarch of the
Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Church, was performed. The ceremony was led by
Most Ven Thich Ho Giac, Deputy-Rector of Unified Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation, President of Executive Council of United Vietnamese Buddhist
Congregation in America. A large of photo of Most Venerable Thich Huyen
Quang was carried aloft by four monks moving from ground-floor Quang
Duc Meditation Hall up the dragon flaked staircase into the second level,
Main Shrine watched by many thousands of people standing in welcome,
respect and congratulating him as the Fourth Supreme
Patriarch of the Unified Vietnamese Buddhist Church.
As you may know, the First
Supreme Patriarch was Most Ven Thich
Tinh Khiet, the Second was the Most Ven. Thich Giac Nhien, the Third, Most
Ven Thich Don Hau, this important position being vacant since 1992 when
Most Ven Don Hau passed away.
Most Ven Thich Huyen Quang is the
supreme leader in the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV), an
86-year-old who is still under de facto house arrest despite a landmark
meeting with Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on April 2nd 2003. He has told
Buddhists that freedom from fear was the essence of Lord Buddha’s
teachings delivered over 2,500 years ago. “Buddhism is a doctrine of
liberation and enlightenment, the path towards absolute knowledge.”.
“But how can we fulfill Buddha’s teachings of salvation if we are
crushed by innumerable obstacles, oppressed and intimidated?” .Most
Ven Thich Huyen Quang asks and has said. “By developing fearlessness,
we mobilize all our resources to free others and help them confront the
dangers and upheavals of society. Liberating humankind from fear, means
assisting all to realizing to the very full the absolute knowledge that
there is nothing to really to fear, a concept which has deeply impregnated
Buddhism over the past 2,000 years”. Fearlessness, explains Venerable
Thich Huyen Quang, is part of the concept of Buddhist “charity” which
entails three kinds of offerings, all aimed at liberating humankind. By
offering humanitarian aid, food or medicine, we can liberate others from
poverty and sickness. By offering knowledge and fighting disinformation,
we can liberate them from ignorance. By offering our wholehearted
commitment to protect the truth, what is right, to promote happiness and
welfare, we can liberate them from suffering. These three actions, rooted
in the spirit of Fearlessness, constitute the ultimate offering – the
offering of freedom from fear. The Buddhist will brave any danger even
that of losing his /her life, to protect Buddhism, justice and the truth,
and this spirit of sacrifice inspires others to face violence and
oppression with unshakeable courage.”
As an Australian, knowing this country as I do, it
would be more fitting to say ‘a Lotus bloomed in the desert, down
under, in a brown land very different from other places, as one of our
poets Dorothy Mc Keller wrote, many decades ago “…..a sunburned
country, a land of sweeping plains,…..of rugged mountain ranges, of
drought and flooding rains… here in this land far to the south of the
main areas of the world, long ignored and forgotten about until recent
times for the very reason of its hard geography unreliable water and poor
soils, a greater cultural balance is being achieved within what was a very
isolated community until really the past few decades. Today as an
important Australian milestone is about to be achieved, that is for the
first time in history our population reaches 20 million people some time
over the next few months, greater ethnic and cultural diversity is with
us, as in this case, the Vietnamese community raise their religious and
cultural monuments as others have done and spread what is a wonderfully
tolerant religion one that is expansive and inclusive. Spreading the
message of an attainable human state, that of becoming a greater self, our
destiny through developing mindfulness wisdom, compassion and courage is
ours for the benefit of all others.
It’s as if drops of water fall from the heavens and
trickle into a salty soil enabling a new lotus to bloom, a new way of
seeing, a new way of being, a new way of allowing others to be…..
NAMO AMITABA
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