Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 1 Words from the Outgoing Chair Looking back at my records I realised that the last time I touched base with you was in January 2014. Personal issues with mum saw me return to Malaysia frequently resulting in me not being able to communicate with you more frequently. From my previous articles you would remember that I like to use the seasons as an analogy for the environment of BCV. The seasons bring about changes in the year. BCV in the last 12 months had undergone changes, all for the better of the council. It has redefined its Mission to support the 7 objectives of the workplan for the funding from the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC). It has an organisation chart that identifies the functions of the BCV and the needs of those function. BCV has commenced building an Office Manual. The BCV learned that to reach its members personal calling on the telephone is needed. Its members are from different ethnic groups where English may not be the spoken language. Identifying and realising the need to reach its members allowed for a great turn out at the AGM, one that BCV had not seen before. With OMAC funding, BCV was able to have a procedures manual documented for its Special Religious Instruction in Schools program and for the Prison Chaplaincy program. The documentation allows for the sustainability of the program. The outreach programs are continuing its excellent work of reaching the community. As the outgoing chair I am confident that the BCV has started building strong foundations for its future. People will come and go. With strong foundations BCV will be able to weather all the changes in seasons and continue its mission of Providing a voice for its members and engages with Buddhist communities through programs aligned with the principles of the Buddha Dhamma, for the benefit of Buddhists and the wider communities of Victoria". I have not left the BCV as I have taken on the role of Secretary to allow for an effective handover to the New Chair, Rinpoche Zimwock. I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone whom I had worked with in my position as chair and if I had through my actions or words, hurt or caused you pain and suffering I ask for your forgiveness. I would also like to welcome all the New Board members and I look forward to a year of fun and success. I would like to wish you all a New Year that is brimming with excellent health, love, joy and peace. May you all be well and happy. Peggy Page Secretary (Outgoing Chair)
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 2 Calendar December 2014 25 Christmas Day* 26 Boxing Day* 31 New Years Eve January 2015 1 New Years Day* 5 Mahayana New Year (Buddhist) 26 Australia Day* 30 BCV Committee Meeting In this issue: Words from Peggy Page, the outgoing chair Introducing the 2015 Committee Introducing the incoming chair Zimwock Rinpoche Recent BCV Events: BCV AGM 10th Anniversary of the BSRI in schools program Blessing ceremony for the victims of the Sydney siege Key programs update Healthcare Chaplaincy Prison Chaplaincy BSRI in schools program Volunteering Prison Chaplaincy Role Monastics for monthly chanting General volunteering Introducing the new Committee The new committee of the Buddhist Council of Victoria was decided at the BCV AGM in November. Their names, position and temple are detailed below. Chair: Zimwock Rinpoche - Nalandra Buddhist Meditation Centre Vice President: Gerald Lim - Australian Buddhist Kalyana Mitta Secretary: Peggy Page - Wat Thai Melbourne Treasurer: Jeff Chan - Bao Lin Chan Monastery Ordinary committee members: Myly Nguyen - Quang Minh Temple, Laura Chan - Dharma Drum Mountain Melbourne Chapter, Kosala Jayasinghe - Buddhist Vihara Victoria, Harvey Tuck, - Melbourne Buddhist Centre, Lal Samarasekera - Buddhist Sri Lankan Association of Vic. Pabasara Palaveni - Paramitha Buddhist Viharaha The Incoming Chair of the BCV Zimwock Rinpoche His Eminence Zimwock Rinpoche is a pre-eminent Sakya master of the 600 year old Tsarpa lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. He has achieved Acharya status with a Masters Degree in Buddhist Philosophy. Following this, he lived in Switzerland for over a decade where he married and began raising a family. Rinpoche teaches, leads practices and offers Vajrayana empowerments at Nalandra, Institute (Australian International Vajrayana Buddhist Institute) in Box Hill South. Rinpoche is currently overseas and is unable to write for this edition of the newsletter.
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 3 Recent BCV Events Buddhist Council of Victoria AGM The BCV AGM held on the 22nd November, 2014 at the Buddhist Society of Victoria. It was a great success with 19 temple representatives and 14 individuals in attendance. Peggy Page presenting the Chair s report at the AGM Guest speakers Martin West (Working With Children Check Unit) presented information about the new laws relating to working with children in religious organisations while Dr Di Cousens presented her policy on managing sexual abuse in temples (with input from Sangha). Members were provided with a copy of the changes to the BCV constitution, following the model rules. The BCV members The Chair, Peggy Page presented her report to the members detailing the BCV objectives over the next few years by building the organisational capacity and infrastructure, establishing a more sustainable funding base, enhancing the profile of Buddhism in Victoria, actively engaging more Buddhist organisations and individuals in the work of the BCV, and maintaining relationships with other faith communities and the wider Victorian community. The election of office bearers ran smoothly with all required positions filled eliminating the need for allocated temples to provide representatives! Dr. Di Cousins presenting at the AGM During the AGM, the Chair Peggy Page, together with Myly Nguyen presented long service volunteering awards to M.Y. Leung and Helen Ponder. M.Y. and Helen have been BSRI volunteers for 10 years or more. Auntie Imm was also presented an award for raising funds for the BSRI program for over 10 years. The BCV would like to thank the Buddhist Society of Victoria for the use of the premises for the afternoon. Myly Nguyen and Peggy Page presenting award to M.Y. Leung Myly Nguyen and Peggy Page presenting award to Helen Ponder Myly Nguyen presenting award to Auntie Imm
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 4 Recent BCV Events Anniversary of the 10th year of BSRI in Schools Program Following the AGM was an afternoon tea celebrating the 10th anniversary of BSRI in schools program held at the Buddhist Society Hall. It was great to see the number of volunteer religious instructors coming along to celebrant the occasion. Among us was Serene Seah who was a former religious instructor, together with Judith McDonald and Sue Smith deserve special mention for their role in producing The Discovering Buddha Manuel. The BCV gave all members in attendance at the afternoon tea a BSRI 10th year anniversary mug to commemorate the occasion. Aunty Imm, Helen Ponder and M.Y.Leung cut a cake to celebrate the occasion. A big thank you go to all of the religious instructors, the BSRI committee and all donors. It is through your generosity of time and kind that allows for the Dharma to be brought to the greater community. BCV Blessing Ceremony The Buddhist Council of Victoria would like to thank our members for their support and attendance at our Prayer and Blessing Ceremony dedicated to the victims of the Sydney Hostage Tragedy held on Sunday 21st December, 2014. It was a very special occasion to bring together 20 Monastics from a variety of temples. We heard speeches from Ven Sambath Sam (Wat Buddharangsee), Ven Phuoc Tan (Abbot Quang Minh temple and president of the Aust. Sangha Association), and chanting led by Ven Sudhep Nan (Wat Buddharangsee) and Ven. Chi Kwang (King Lake). Ven U Pandita recited the loving kindness passage for us in English. Representatives from Interfaith, Channel 7 news and Channel 9 news were in attendance. Many BCV members and faith networks shared the event on social media, which resulted in an audience of over 70 people. We received some generous donations to the BCV. As the chanting was so well received, the BCV is now considering holding a "Loving kindness" annual event at the end of each year, inviting all traditions and faiths to attend.
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 5 Healthcare Chaplaincy Healthcare training has concluded for 2014 with a number of the graduates being or soon to be placed in volunteer spiritual care roles at various healthcare settings. In 2015 one spiritual carer will be taking a role at Melbourne Airport. Spiritual care training is a wonderful way to put our individual spiritual practice into a position of engaged compassion that with further reflection opens us all up to deepening wisdom. For those interested in engaging such a Buddhist practice training will continue again in 2015. Prison Chaplaincy BCV Key Programs Update We currently have 8 Buddhist Prison Chaplains including the co-ordinator to cover 11 public prisons and 2 private prisons in Victoria. We had a wonderful get together and sharing in November when everyone shared with each other their experiences and wisdom and what we learn from our engagement with prisoners. Given the challenging conditions of the prison environment, the chaplains seem to use their time to practice the dharma by being openhearted and non-judgmental. The chaplains accept very fully each person and the ways things are thus allowing some peace and healing to take place. Christine and Anh As we are part of a multi-faith chaplaincy group, we have the opportunity to engage with prisoners from many different faiths and backgrounds. Many wish to come to meditation classes even those who are not Buddhist! As the Buddhist prison population is rising from 3 percent to over 8 percent, funding and hours will rise over the next few months. Buddhist Special Religious Instruction This latter part of 2014 has seen a potentially huge challenge to the Special Religious Instruction (SRI) program which is still unfolding. The challenge has come about as the direct result of a new Ministerial Direction for the SRI program announced earlier this year. It was to take effect from July when Term 3 began. The new policy introduces many changes to the way the Special Religious Instruction is offered by schools, to how faith groups are to approach schools, how schools are to respond and how parents are to be informed and give permission for their child's attendance. There is a change to the language we use. Our teachers are now to be called instructors. We are not to use the word curriculum (now materials) or education (now instruction). From October 2014, our program is called Buddhist Special Religious Instruction in Victorian Primary Schools program or in short, Buddhist Instruction program.
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 6 Volunteering Prison Chaplaincy Role Christine who has been the Senior Prison Chaplain and Convenor for nearly three years now is leaving. BCV is looking for a suitable person to take her place. Do you have a background in spiritual care/chaplaincy/counselling? It would help if you have some knowledge of prisons and would be comfortable visiting many of the Victorian prisons on a regular basis. Some remuneration through Corrections Victoria and private prisons is offered. If you would like more information please contact Christine Thompson via her BCV email:- christine.thompson@bcv.org.au. Buddhist Monastics for Monthly Chanting The BCV is currently working with The Springvale Cemetery Trust (SCT) to provide Monastics for their monthly chanting ritual. Taking part in the monthly chanting would enhance the profile of Buddhism while assisting us in meeting our obligations to The Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC). As the request is once a month for 12 months, Gerald Lim (BCV Vice President) has suggested a different temple chant at the Springvale Cemetery each month. If you think your temple may be interested, please email administrator@bcv.org.au General Buddhist Council Volunteering Please consider volunteering in one of our three key programs of Prison Chaplaincy, Healthcare Chaplaincy or BSRI? Or maybe you have other skills you would like to donate? Please fill in our Volunteer Expression of Interest form on our website and send back to us or contact administrator@bcv.org.au for more information.
Buddhist Council of Victoria Summer 2014/15 Page 7 Important Updates Working With Children Checks (WWCC) Please take note that all religious leaders, dharma club and Buddhism for children class supervisors must now hold a current working with children check. This includes visiting Monks from interstate/overseas that will have contact with children, and will be remaining in Victoria for more than 1 month in a calendar year. The WWCC is only available online at www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/ home/applications (you can no longer fill out a paper application form). For further information, please call 1300 652 879 To all of our BCV members and temples, thank you for making 2014 another great year for us and the Buddhist community. Enjoy the holiday season!