Part Two.- BUDDHISM IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
(A one-day Community Conference, on the occasion of the WBSC Executive Committee - Conference Sydney 2001)
(Minutes : Marie Mohr, Amber De Nardi)

At University of Western Sydney
Sunday 11th November,   at 9.30am
(Moderator, Dr.Rachael Kohn (ABC presenter, The Spirit of Things).

Professor Wayne McKenna, Dean of the College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences UWS, made the opening address. He expressed his warm welcome to the Venerables, delegates and members of the public to what he described as a very important one-day conference.

Darug people, traditional custodians of Western Sydney (Australian Aboriginals). The Darug people warmly welcomed all the visitors to their land and wished good karma on all delegates. They also recounted the story of their ancient history and culture.

Sangha, Community and Buddhist Scholarship by
Dr. Adrian Snodgrass of the University Institute of Cultural Research, Australia.
Dr Snodgrass said the conference was without precedent because it was not only the first time it had been held in the southern hemisphere but at a western university. But he added there were parallels with the World Parliament of Religions Conference held in Chicago in 1893.

The World Parliament had the clear aim to establish the credibility of Buddhism in the eyes of Western intellectuals. They did it by destroying misconceptions about Buddhism and by introducing the artistic and cultural side of Buddhism.

This conference has parallels since it also involves East meeting West and an introduction to Buddhist artistic and cultural side through, an art exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW.

Dr Snodgrass went on to elaborate about the necessity for Buddhist scholars to translate teachings accurately and their responsibility for protecting Buddhism’s intellectual and cultural credentials rather than allowing any ‘dumbing down’.

The World Buddhist Sangha Council (WBSC) History and Future
by Venerable Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana Thero (Vice President U.K.)
The Venerable expressed his honour at being invited to talk about the WBSC’s history and future. In the past, in each country Buddhism has developed independently without any contact with other Buddhists. This lack of communication made some groups feel superior to the rest.

In 1966, some far-sighted monks established the WBSC in Colombo to address the problem of fragmentation in Buddhism. Monks around the world agreed to meet and talk together and found they had much to share. They decided that it was incorrect to divide the Sangha because all had been ordained directly from disciples of Buddha and the same unbroken chain of succession.

The WBSC was established to build a peaceful, happy world. Its aims are:

The Venerable stressed nothing was more important today than World Peace, particularly after the September 11th terrorist attack on the USA.

The Venerable spoke about the central role that WBSC had in the reintroduction of the Bhikkhuni order in Sri Lanka and the current existence of a scholarship fund to promote the study of the Dharma. Present important aims and objectives for the WBSC are:

Theravada Mendicant Monasticism in Contemporary Britain
by Venerable Vajiro, Amaravati Buddhist Monastery (U.K.)
The Venerable spoke of being attracted to Buddhism while training as an accountant in London. He was inspired by being offered meditation service freely. He said it was a more valuable to him than something that could cost a lot of money.

The Venerable spoke of practising the alms around Britain in line with the Forest tradition of Buddhism. In the early 1970s when monks first began alms-rounds in the English villages they didn’t receive much food. But today those living as a mendicant community travel from village to village by foot, not knowing where they will sleep or what they will eat. He said they hadn’t lost a Sangha yet.

His community strictly adheres to the traditions of mendicant community: not storing food,  not taking food in the evening and not using money.

REMEMBRANCE DAY, Nov. 11th
A "One minute silence" was observed to remember all victims of those who have died in the pursuit of peace.
Morning Tea

How does Buddhism meet the needs of Vietnamese Youth in the USA ?
by Venerable Thich Minh Dao, Chief Abbott,   Tu Bi Quan Am Temple (USA)
The Venerable proposed solutions to what he referred to as the ‘human evil and hatred’ which has enveloped the world. He said such loathing is only an emotion which can be controlled.

His solution included :

The Venerable advised parents to:

The Venerable spoke of the importance of people accepting life’s impermanence and also of accepting that everything that happens to us, good or bad, is due to things that we have done previously. He stressed the need to have thoughts of equality, tolerance and compassion.

Buddhism and Social Welfare in Korea.
by Venerable Bhikkhuni Sang Won, Chief Abbot, Bo Myung Sa Temple (Korea)
The Venerable explained the history of Buddhism in Korea. It was first introduced to Korea from China in 372 AD. In the 1400s it slowly declined as Neo-Confucianism was adopted and Buddhism was oppressed and restricted.

In 1910, the Choson Dynasty came to an end with the annexation of Korea by Japan. During the colonial period, Buddhism was greatly favoured but distorted by colonial policies. After the end of World War II welfare facilities began to be established by Buddhists. In the past ten years Buddhist welfare work has made great strides. Buddhists now manage 427 welfare facilities in five different areas :

Lunch Break

Buddhism in the Formation of Australian Cultures.
by Dr Judith Snodgrass, University of Western Sydney (Australia)

Dr Snodgrass pointed out that the Buddhist Temples are more than spiritual centres. They are also community centres that offer regular retreats, shelter and spiritual teaching.

Most temples in Australia have been built in the past few years. The original Temples were often established in average suburban areas. More elaborate Temples were built later.

Dr Snodgrass pointed out there  are now three hundred Buddhist Associations in Australia, many are of an Asian background. She said the categories of Buddhism, Western or Modern Buddhism are becoming irrelevant. Dr. Snodgrass spoke of a new form of Buddhism emerging around the world, a humanitarian form that was more involved in social welfare.

Dr Snodgrass spoke of the importance of Buddhism as a factor in formation  of new cultures, and the importance of the breaking down barriers between Buddhists from different countries.

Reflections on Tibetan Buddhism in the West.
by Dr. David Templeman, Monash University (Australia).
Dr. Templeman pointed out there are over one thousand centres around the world that may be considered to belong to one of the Orders of Tibetan Buddhism. His talk centred on why Tibetan Buddhism has been so influential.

He outlined the long and varied history of Tibetan Buddhism. Originally, inaccurate translations led interpreters to make unfounded and baseless claims about the religion. By the 1940s-50s the first reliable translations led to Tibetan Buddhism being accorded the  respect it deserved.

The 1960s saw the first ‘hippie’ travellers exposed to Tibetan refugees and their spiritual teachers. Many of the young travellers were attracted to the Buddhist’s sense of calm and patience. Buddhism’s appeal was also the fact that it taught one to be directly responsible for one’s progress on the spiritual path.

Dr Templeman pointed out that His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin  Gyatso, had been the most influential lama on the world scene. Not only for his role as an advocate for Tibet’s freedom but his appearances as a "simple Buddhist monk" as he describes himself are extremely effective in spreading the word of the Buddha.

He also spoke of the influence of the Tibetan art and architecture on the West's culture, and how it has influenced many artists.

Since the 1980s Tibetan Buddhists have joined other Buddhists in a range of activities designed to heal the world including for environmental responsibility and spreading the word  of non-violence.

The future of Tibetan Buddhism.
Dr Templeman noted that the trajectory of Tibetan Buddhism had altered noticeably over the past thirty years. Now more informal centres, where the Lama might be absent for long periods of time, often had their day-to-day activities organised by lay people.

He pointed out there had been an observable movement to a meditational style known as Dzogchen which was formed around non-canonical texts. Each of the major Tibetan Buddhist Orders had rediscovered Dzogchen masters and teachings in their own lineage. The Dzogchen movement had become immensely popular over the past ten years, and Dr. Templeman believed it could be one of the future models for Tibetan Buddhism in the West.

PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Future of Dharma Propagation in Australia and the World.
Venerables representing different Buddhist traditions present their vision of the future of Dharma propagation.

The panel discussion began with  Ven. Chao Kun Vibunsila . He spoke of Buddha’s last instructions to take the Dhamma Vinaya as one's master. He emphasised keeping the Vinaya and said that without it Buddhist practice was not possible. He closed with a succinct summary of Buddha’s teaching; to be kind and generous and develop a peaceful mind.

Venerable Mahinda spoke of meditation as a means of propagating Dhamma and protecting the mind from greed, hatred and delusion.

Venerable LamaLoppon Ngawang Damchoe spoke of the Vajrayana path as the precious way which everyone must do for himself. He stressed the importance of transmission lineage and proper guidance. He talked of the damage that clinging to a sense of self does to oneself and others, and encouraged everyone to treat each other with kindness and respect.

Venerable Pannyavaro spoke of his work creating a world recognised web site that had been instrumental in providing information worldwide. He was also developing education material on Buddhism.

Venerable Dhammadharo spoke of difficult experiences growing up as a Buddhist youth and emphasised the importance of youth education. He said it was important for them never to forget their duties and the importance of the Noble Eightfold Path.

Venerable Thich-Phuoc-Tan spoke about the Pureland practice that involved faith, practice, vows, patience, strong aspiration and meritorious work.

Venerable Bhikkhuni Chi Kuang talked about her experiences of being a Bhikkhuni in Korea. She spoke of the positive practice of being involved in community life. She spoke of the role of women in the monasteries and how Western women need to learn from their Asian sisters as their exposure to Buddhism is relatively new.

Venerable Bhikkhuni Kusuma spoke about her ordination in Sri Lanka and how Bhuddhism arrived in Sri Lanka in the 3rd Century and flourished until the 13th Century when it died out. She also explained the Bhikkhuni ordination also died out but was reintroduced from Burma and Thailand two hundred years ago.

There were many questions to the panel from the audience. They included :

Conference overview/Closing remarks
Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, OAM.
The Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue closed Sunday’s forum by saying he believed this conference illuminated a number of aspects of Buddhism in the 21st Century that might run contrary to some people’s preconceptions of Buddhism.

He said that far from enclosed, exclusive and inward-looking, this Conference had demonstrated that Buddhism today is open-minded, inclusive and forward-looking.

The Most Venerable concluded that the crisis the world was facing at this time made Buddhism more relevant to people’s lives, showing them that the past was not dead nor the future empty, that the Way forward was there to follow.

Professor Ien Ang, Institute for Cultural Research, UWS
Professor Ien Ang expressed her appreciation to all Venerables and participants for making such a successful conference. She was delighted to see that the University of Western Sydney had been able to facilitate the conference; it brought the academic scholars,  people from general community and the Sanghas from many different Buddhist traditions coming together to present the Buddhist practice around the world and in Australia. She believed that the participants would go home with a new sense of positive hope for the future because Buddhism is one of the positive forces in this very difficult time. Professor Ien Ang lastly offered thanks to all organisations and everyone who had been working very hard behind the scene to make the conference possible.

In the evening, at 7.00pm a reception at Crystal Palace - Canley Vale, was organised by the Organising Committee in honour of The Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue 60th year of Bhikkhu Ordination and his 81st Birthday as well. At the same time, the Organising Committee organised the 70th birthday celebration for Most Venerable Liao Chung which surprised most of the participants. Six hundred people attended the occasion, among them were the Honorable Philip Ruddock, MP, Minister for Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs,  accompanied by Mrs Ruddock, and the Mayor of the Fairfield City, Councillor Anwar Khoshaba. It was a beautiful and an emotional celebration for everyone present.