His Holiness inaugurates Garden of Enlightenment in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast
[Thursday, 16 June 2011, 7:51 p.m.]
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaks to thousands of people at the picturesque Buddhist learning centre, Chenrezig Institute, located in Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia on 16 June 2011 |
BRISBANE:
His Holiness spent the day at Chenrezig Institute, one of the first
Buddhist centres in the western world. He admired the centre’s serene
location, and later wandered through the green surroundings. The
highlight of his visit was the inauguration of Garden of Enlightenment,
an ornamental garden with eight stupas depicting the Eight Great Deeds
of Buddha’s life. Over 3500 people flocked to the Buddhist centre,
nestled in the foothills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland in
Queensland, to see and hear His Holiness.
His Holiness spent the day at Chenrezig Institute, one of the first
Buddhist centres in the western world. He admired the centre’s serene
location, and later wandered through the green surroundings. The
highlight of his visit was the inauguration of Garden of Enlightenment,
an ornamental garden with eight stupas depicting the Eight Great Deeds
of Buddha’s life. Over 3500 people flocked to the Buddhist centre,
nestled in the foothills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland in
Queensland, to see and hear His Holiness.
A
group of Aboriginal dancers from the Gubbi Gubbi tribe, the traditional
owners of the land, greeted His Holiness with a Welcome to Country
performance. The topic for today’s talk was “Developing Compassion for
Self and Others”. Around 400 students from the local school attended
the ceremony, and had earlier workshopped on questions to ask the Dalai
Lama. Time and again during his current tour to Australia, His Holiness
has showed his prowess as an unparalleled thought leader as he tackled
questions from the public with great clarity and insight. One asked him
what his greatest achievement in life was. Much to every one’s
surprise, His Holiness answered, “My refugee status is my greatest
achievement.” He reinforced his remark by sharing his positive
experiences and the contributions he was able to make to humanity as a
result of his life in exile.
group of Aboriginal dancers from the Gubbi Gubbi tribe, the traditional
owners of the land, greeted His Holiness with a Welcome to Country
performance. The topic for today’s talk was “Developing Compassion for
Self and Others”. Around 400 students from the local school attended
the ceremony, and had earlier workshopped on questions to ask the Dalai
Lama. Time and again during his current tour to Australia, His Holiness
has showed his prowess as an unparalleled thought leader as he tackled
questions from the public with great clarity and insight. One asked him
what his greatest achievement in life was. Much to every one’s
surprise, His Holiness answered, “My refugee status is my greatest
achievement.” He reinforced his remark by sharing his positive
experiences and the contributions he was able to make to humanity as a
result of his life in exile.
Member
of Parliament and a parliamentary friend of Tibet Mr Peter Slipper and
Sunshine Coast mayor Mr Bob Abbott also attended the ceremony.
of Parliament and a parliamentary friend of Tibet Mr Peter Slipper and
Sunshine Coast mayor Mr Bob Abbott also attended the ceremony.
| His Holiness the Dalai Lama blesses monks during a programme at Chenrezig Institute, a Buddhist learning centre, in Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia, on 16 June 2011 |
Earlier
in the day, His Holiness spoke to the centre’s 500 monks, nuns and lay
members in its renovated monastery. He said, “Although Australia is not
a traditionally Buddhist country, many here have found answers to some
of their lives’ fundamental questions through Buddhism. Your genuine
faith in your religion is tested by your knowledge”. A strong advocate
of the Nalanda tradition of Buddha dharma, His Holiness drew attention
to the excessive use of rituals in Buddhist practice and advised
followers of Buddhism to study more and understand the essence of
Buddha’s teachings.
in the day, His Holiness spoke to the centre’s 500 monks, nuns and lay
members in its renovated monastery. He said, “Although Australia is not
a traditionally Buddhist country, many here have found answers to some
of their lives’ fundamental questions through Buddhism. Your genuine
faith in your religion is tested by your knowledge”. A strong advocate
of the Nalanda tradition of Buddha dharma, His Holiness drew attention
to the excessive use of rituals in Buddhist practice and advised
followers of Buddhism to study more and understand the essence of
Buddha’s teachings.
Tibetan
musician and Queensland local Tenzin Choegyal played his music at the
new, lush garden during the lunch break. A number of Tibet-related
stalls added to a festive atmosphere in this remote corner of Australia.
musician and Queensland local Tenzin Choegyal played his music at the
new, lush garden during the lunch break. A number of Tibet-related
stalls added to a festive atmosphere in this remote corner of Australia.
–Report filed by Tsering Kyinzom
