World Interfaith Harmony Week, Celebrate in Fawkner (4 February 2020)

INTRODUCTION "WITHIN A TREE, THERE IS A FLOWER WITHIN A ROCK, THERE IS A FLAME" BY SENIOR VENERABLE THICH NGUYEN TANG, QUANG DUC MONASTERY MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA. "...The gift of the Dhamma excels all gifts; the taste of the Dhamma excels all tastes, and delight in the Dhamma excels all delights. The eradication of craving (i.e., attainment of arahatship) overcomes all ills (samsara dukkha). The gift of the Dhamma is the greatest giving among the all other givings. The one who is well trained in the Dhamma will share his understanding of the Dhamma either by writing a book, by preaching Dhamma, by discussing Dhamma, or by writing an article. Master Thich Nguyen Tang has used all these methods in his contribution to the Dhamma. Giving food or clothes or any other material items to a person makes them happy and they indeed will survive in the world, but they cannot get rid of this terrible circle of birth and death. It can be done only by understanding the noble Dhamma. Thus, the wr

Freedom, democracy and human rights together with commerce and investments in the economy, to bring about social order and stability, not unlike light and the atmosphere, are essential requirements for human life in the expanse of a world in full progress. Hong Kong is a former British colony returned to China in 1997 and its people are guaranteed basic freedoms under the “One Country, Two Systems” regime, in order to administer the proper maintenance and development of this territory.

The Buddha’s ethical teachings, these essential points of the eightfold path aim at promoting as well as perfecting the three heads of Buddhist training and discipline, namely (a) Ethical Conduct (b) Mental Discipline and (c) Wisdom. According to the capacity of each individual harmoniously cultivated, these points are all linked together and each helps the cultivation of the others.

Buddhism is not a religion for men just to follow but to learn, to understand, to practise, to gain experience. When men come to know the Buddha’s teaching and perhaps practise it to some extent, sometimes they wish to make the Dhamma their direction in life or their guide through life. At that time, their thoughts turn to become a Buddhist.

The Catering Unit of Minh Quang Retreat in Sydney, Australia has offered good services in a very solemn and deliciated manner and its very first meal reminded me of the nice smell of the Bowl of Rice of Fragrance in the old times.

Human rights roundtable of freedom of religion, sydney, June 11 2019, Here I'd like to share with you a brief summary of the roundtable on religious freedom hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission. I attended on behalf of the ASA, along with Ven Thich Quang Ba. There were no reps from the FABC at this meeting.

The 16th United Nations Day Of Vesak Conference 2019 Main Theme: Buddhist Approach to Global Leadership & Shared Responsibilities for Sustainable Societies at Tam Chuc Pagoda, International Buddhist Convention Center Ba Sao, Ha Nam, Vietnam Sub-Theme: “Mindful Leadership for Sustainable Peace” Three Intertwined Paths to Leading for Sustainable Peace Phe Bach, Ed.D., Founder and CEO of C. Mindfulness LLC, Mira Loma High School, ILC, SJTA, SJUSD, California Teachers Association, USA. W. Edward Bureau, Ph.D., Associate Clinical Professor (Retired), Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA Residence in Cochranville, PA, USA Introduction Sustainable peace anchors itself in mindfulness of the present, the people, and the microcosms in which we exist. Rather than existing as a static state, the peace is organic and dynamic, flowing itself around the vagaries of “unpeacefulness.” Thus, being a mindful leader begins with the practice of the Five Mindfulness Trainings (Five Precepts) and the N