Bài tường thuật Đại lễ bằng Anh ngữ

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.

Mr. Gary Hardgrave, Mr. Steve Bracks Hon. John Howard Mr. Joe Ficarra
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’.

Mr. Rob Wood Hon Kevin Thomson Mr. Brian Ashen 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