A Message from Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs,
to the Buddhist Discussion Centre on the occasion of Versak Day, May 7 2001
Please accept my apologies for not being able to be with you all here today to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday.
Without doubt Buddhism is one of Australia’s fastest growing religions. During the last decade the number of Buddhists in Australia has grown by almost 300 percent. There are now some 65,000 people of the Buddhist faith in Victoria and about 200,000 in total around Australia.
This community forms a valuable and widely respected part of Victoria’s cherished multicultural way of life. However, the Buddhist community’s recent growth belies the religion’s long history in Victoria.
Buddhism was first introduced during the Victorian Gold Rush of the 1850’s when Chinese miners arrived in their thousand bringing their faith with them. In fact, Chinese Buddhists were among the first multicultural community to come to Victoria following European settlement.
Since then, Buddhism with its universal message that the solution to the problems of existence lie within each individual, has inspired many Australian politicians, thinkers and artists. Three times Australian Prime Minister Alfred Deakin was one of those impressed by the faith.
In 1880, Deakin wrote about the “infinite tenderness and boundless compassion” of Buddhist doctrine. In 1951, the first formal Buddhist Society was founded in Sydney but real growth did not begin until the increase in Asian immigration during the 1980’s.
This influx of practicing Buddhists firmly established the faith in Victoria where there are now more than 100 Buddhist groups or associations.
As Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs it seems to me that Buddhism and the concept of Multiculturalism have much in common. Both call for harmony, acceptance and respect as a means to creating a better and richer society but perhaps the broader community still has something to learn from the tenets of Buddhism.
We must all work to maintain our diverse and happy community. This should not be an onerous duty but rather one that we all accept with joy and pride.
On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition and the Victorian Liberal Party I wish you all the best for today’s celebrations.
Helen Shardey
Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Housing and Multicultural Affairs.