A Tibetan Lama Speaks at 4th Global Conference on Buddhism in Australia
Phayul, June 13, 2006
Perth, Australia -- Perth is the host city of the 4th Global Conference on Buddhism organised by The Buddhist Soceity of Western Australia under the guidance of Venerable Achan Brahm. Confronting Controversies and modern world's problem with fundamentalism, feminism and euthanasia were some of the topics discussed at this historical conference ever to be held in Australia.
The conference attracted 900 strong participants coming from many parts of the country and particularly from South East Asian cities. There were speakers representing various schools and traditions of Buddhist faith.
The glorious winter day on 11 June 2006 the conference was graced by the visit and speech by Ven. Lama Choedak Rinpoche, most prominent Tibetan Bddhist tecaher in Australia. Although Rinpoche was busy conducting annual Vajrayogini Retreat at his seat in Canberra, he could not refuse the invitation as it co-incided on the full moon of Saga Dawa, the most auspicious day in the Tibetan Buddhist calendar.
Speaking on the issue of meditation, Lama Choedak Rinpoche highlighted the importance of Buddhist contribution to the world troubled by violence and conflict due to religious fundamentilsm. He said that the practice of meditation has proven to have practical benefit of making people calmer, compassionate and intelligent in choosing emotions before acting out thoughts and feelings which are often misguided by afflictions and over reactions.
He said that meditation can help people to have both compassion and wisdom like two wings of a bird. He urged conference participants to cultivate ways to change their ability to practice kindness and tolerance in every day life whether they meditated daily or not.
He said without being able to practice compassion and tolerance in this life to fellow sentient beings, seeking Nirvana and better rebirth in the future life can be seen as merely idealistic. He said how Tibetans who have learned to practice this over the 1300 years are now starting to make valid contribution to the world under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Lama Choedak Rinpoche came to Australia in the mid 1980s and have founded over 20 Buddhist centres around Australia and New Zealand. He served as Board of Director with Australia Tibet Council for five years and is a leading exponent of independent Rangzen Tibet without any compromise. Those interested in Rinpcohe's work may visit www.sakya.com.au
