INAUGURAL MEETING
The inaugura1 meeting of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd was held on 9th September, 1978 which happened to be the birthday of the founder, John David Hughes. This meeting was held to discuss the Memorandum of Association of the Centre and to elect members to the committee. Executive committee members elected were as follows : John D. Hughes, President; Rita Jeffrey, Vice-President; Zarna Somaia, Treasurer; Anil Somaia, Secretary; Committee members elected were Leonard Armitage, Norma Beattie, John Mahoney, Anthony Moulday, June Whittaker and Colin Wray.
All present at this meeting are very grateful to Tan Archan Boonyarith, from Thailand, who consented to be patron.
REGULAR MEETINGS
Activities of the Centre include making Dana offerings to Tan Archan Boonyarith every second Sunday at the monastery in Richmond. After the Dana offerings the Venerable gives Dhamma teachings and meditation. Members from the Centre also go to the monastery during the week to learn from Tan Archan. Other regular meetings are Dhamma teachings and meditation, held at the Centre, with the Venerable every Monday night at 8 p.m. Preliminary meditation with Rita Jeffrey each Wednesday morning from 10 till 12 noon, Pali chanting each Friday morning from 7.30 till 8.l5. Hatha Yoga is also being conducted by Meryl Squires, at the Centre, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m. Meryl is familiar with Buddhist practices.
TARA HOUSE
On Friday, October, 20th six students from the Centre attended a dinner at Tara House, to welcome Lamas Geshe Loden and Zasep Tulku who are usually resident at Chenrezig Institute in Queensland.
PSYCHIC RESEARCH
A Glen Waverley psychic research group run by Mr. Herbert Ramma carried out tests on June Whittaker on Tuesday, 24th October. After the tests John Hughes gave a talk on Buddhist Dhamma and taught the group preliminary meditation techniques.
DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
On Saturday, October 28th several of the students from the Centre accompanied Tan Archan Boonyarith when he travelled 70 klms to Deakin University in Geelong. Tan Archan was invited to speak at a two day seminar on Religious experience to a group of approximately eighty people. The Dhamma teachings given by the Venerable were well received as was the meditation.
CHURCH OF CHRIST BLACKBURN
On Wednesday November lst, John Hughes, as invited by the Reverend Ted Keating, spoke at the Blackburn Church of Christ on Buddhist Dhamma and meditation.
CHINESE JOSS HOUSE
During September John Hughes and several students from the Centre travelled 120 klms to Bendigo where they gave Puja to the departed Chinese in the Buddhist section of the newly restored Joss House, and in the Chinese sections of both cemeteries.
It is sad to see that effective steps are not taken to prevent the theft and damage to the early Chinese graves.
Tan Archan Boonyarith has offered his services to help the hungry ghosts. If anyone is able to arrange transport and accommodation please contact the Centre.
REFRESHMENTS
In view of the large increase in Dhamma students using the Centre, it is no longer possible for John Hughes to finance such items as tea and coffee, as was his custom during the past five years. John is grateful that the students are now arranging to finance these items in the future. Their offer is most helpful to the Centre.
INTERNATIONAL BUDDHIST FORUM QUARTERLY
Douglas Pannavaro, managing editor of the above quarterly has forwarded copies of this journal to the Centre for distribution to Australian Universities and tertiary institutions.
The quarterly is a non-sectarian Buddhist Journal compiled from Canonical, Historical, Mythical, Cultural, Literary and Human resources of the major Schools within Buddhism. Dedicated to all Teachers, Students and Followers of the Middle Way.
The Centre recommends this journal. Any Buddhist activities in Australia are welcome as news items by the forum. Subscription is U.S.$7.00 for one year and may be sent to the International Buddhist Forum Quarterly, Yongsan, P.O. Box 122, Seoul, Korea.
MONASH UNIVERSITY
John Chow from the Monash University Buddhist Society has informed this Centre that this society intends to produce a Buddhist journal. John Hughes has written an article for the first issue.
On hearing the news that John Chow's father was ill, students from the Centre gave Puja- Friday 3rd November.
SLIDE NIGHT
On Friday, December 22nd an evening will be held at the Centre to show any interested persons the material, including slides, prepared by John Hughes for the School's Commission on "Reduction of Racial Prejudice using Buddhist Groups' differences."
VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT BILL TO REPEAL 106 YEAR OLD RESTRICTION ON RELIGIOUS TEACHING
The new legislation before the Victorian State Parliament will enable state school teachers to give religious education in state schools. The Minister for Education Mr. L. Thompson made it clear that the legislation would not be passed until next year to allow time for public debate. It is desirable that all religious groups including Buddhists support this legislation. John Hughes will be preparing a submission in this matter in the near future. It is intended that the submission will be made available to all Buddhist groups in Australia.
5 DAY MEDITATION COURSE: 27-31st DEC
A five day meditation course will be held at the Centre from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m on each of these days. Morning, afternoon teas and lunch will be provided. Cost $40
After the 1st day the course will be divided into two sections. One section will be for those who are new to meditation techniques.
FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
Family and Community Services (FACS) Funding application by the Centre was unsuccessful. It is intended to apply on the next round of funding. The Centre will continue to function in a supportive role to any persons regardless of their religions, who are in need of emotional support.
MEDITATION CERTIFICATES
Four Preliminary Meditation certificates were recently given to Norma Beattie, Rita Jeffrey, Graham Jeffrey and June Whittaker who are now qualified to take preliminary meditation.
THE FIVE PRECEPTS
- I undertake to abide by the precept to abstain from destroying of beings.
- I undertake to abide by the precept to abstain from taking things not given.
- I undertake to abide by the precept to abstain from sexual misconduct.
- I undertake to abide by the precept to abstain from lying.
- I undertake to abide by the precept to abstain from liquor that causes intoxication and heedlessness.
These precepts are not Commandments hence Buddhists observe them voluntarily.
If Buddhists adjust their lives according to these precepts they could on one hand live happily and peacefully in this world, and on the other help others also to live happily and peacefully.