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THE BROOKING STREET BUGLE
Issue No. 53 (New Series)
ISSN 1321 -1463

Publication Date: 2 March 2001

Published and Printed by:
The Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.
A.C.N. 005 701 806 A.B.N. 42 611 496 488
33 Brooking Street, Upwey, Victoria Australia 3158. Telephone and Fax +61 3 9754 3334
e-mail address wbu@bdcu.org.au
World Fellowship of Buddhists Regional Centre

Lifetimes of Learning
and the cultivation of Friendliness, Practicality, Professionalism,
Cultural Adaptability and Scholarship.

Editor: John D. Hughes Dip.App.Chem.,T.T.T.C., GDAIE
Vice-president, World Fellowship of Buddhists
Assistant Editor: Pennie White BA. Dip Ed

The Purpose of this Publication

The purpose of this publication is to:

1. Advise Members

2. Monitor current activities

3. Improve Fundraising initiatives

4. Advise interested parties of our philosophy.

INDEX

1. Glossary

2. Coming Events

3. Sangha News

4. Keynote Opportunities

5. Information Technology News

6. Fundraising Appeals and Special Projects

7. John D. Hughes’ News

8. Current Research Interests

9. Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)

10. Corporate Governance & Reporting (CGR)

11. International Dhamma Activities (IDA)

12. Local Area Planning & Asset Management (LAPAM)

13. Member's News

14. Sharing of Merit

Appendix 1. Letter to Ms Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Aged and Multicultural Affairs, Member for Caulfield,

regarding the Proposed Racial and Religious Tolerance Bill.

Appendix 2. Minutes of the General Meeting of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., held at 33 Brooking

Street, Upwey on Sunday 25 February 2001.

1. GLOSSARY

Libido is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as: “Psychic drive or energy, especially that associated with the sexual instinct, but also that inherent in other instinctual mental desires.”.

2. COMING EVENTS

3. SANGHA NEWS

Sogyal Rinpoche Dhamma Teachings

Sogyal Rinpoche will be visiting Victoria and holding a public talk on Saturday 10 March 2001 at 2pm. Tickets are $15 and $10 concession.

On Sunday 11 March 2001 at 10am and 5pm Sogyal Rinpoche will be conducting a seminar. Tickets are $60 and $40 concession.

Tickets can be purchased from Croydon's Better Bookshop, 109 Main Street, Croydon or contact Rigpa, Melbourne on 9388 0952.

Tickets can be purchased on the Day at the venue, the Dallas Brooks Centre, 300 Albert St, East Melbourne.

Vijaya and Puja Prayers with Francisco So (from Brooking Street Bugle 52)

Francisco So will conduct the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Prayer on Monday 16 April 2001 from 9.30am to 11.30am and the Sukhavati Puja Prayer from 1.30pm to 4.00pm.

The Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra, translated by Master Buddhapala during the Tang Dynasty, can be read prior to the Puja. Twenty-one copies are in the John D. Hughes Collection Library, wall unit 8, shelf 251.

Racial and Religious Tolerance Legislation Consultation Evening

On the Prajnaparamita Teaching night of 20 February 2001, our Teacher and some of our Members represented the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. at a consultation meeting on the State Government of Victoria’s proposed new Racial and Religious Tolerance Legislation held at Springvale City Hall.

Members present were John D. Hughes, Julian Bamford, Pennie White, Peter Jackson, Evelin Halls, Anita Svensson, Frank Carter, Tim Browning, Lyne Lehmann, Lenore Hamilton, Rilla Oellien, Pam Adkins, Vince Cavuoto and Clara Iaquinto.

The consultation was organised by the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs and the purpose of the evening was to provide persons and community organisations with an opportunity to provide input into the proposed legislation.

An information package prepared by the Victorian Government, titled Racial and Religious Tolerance Legislation, consisting of a Discussion Paper and a Model Bill, was made available for consideration and comment as part of the Government’s consultation process.

To understand the significance of this proposed legislation it is necessary to point out that Victoria is the only state in Australia that does not have some type of racial vilification legislation. Complaints of racial vilification can only be dealt with under the Commonwealth legislation, the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 and are referred to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in Sydney for investigation.

The Victoria Equal Opportunity Act 1995 has provision for acts of discrimination in certain areas of public life including employment, education, accommodation and provision of goods and services. Whilst these implicitly prohibit racial vilification, there are no provisions for acts of hatred committed in the wider public domain.

Currently, Victorian victims of religious or racial vilification are only able to use the criminal law. This could include offences provided in the Summary Offences Act 1966, the Crimes Act 1958 and the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) (Enforcement) Act 1995. These are all criminal matters and require the Victorian Police to develop a case and lay charges. They do not offer a person who experiences vilification the opportunity to seek conciliation which may result in an apology or another form of remedy.

The following is an extract taken from the information package:

“The State of Victoria comprises people from more than 208 countries. Victorians can speak over 150 languages and follow more than 100 faiths, making Victoria the most culturally diverse State in Australia. Whilst there are no large-scale community relations conflicts, research suggests that elements of racism remain endemic in our society. The broader community may not always recognise how racism can cause significant harm. Yet both racism and religious intolerance are damaging and distressing to members of minority groups and seriously undermine the cohesion of our society. To minimise this harm, the Government is proposing a number of actions. It is planning a community education campaign and it is proposing to introduce legislation.

The community education campaign will emphasise the need for tolerance and respect. The proposed legislation will provide a means to deal with the harm that is suffered where a lack of tolerance and respect results in racial or religious vilification.”

The Most Honourable Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks, Member of Parliament (MP), who is also the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, sent a message:

“Victoria is Australia’s most multicultural State and the diversity of its people is a great asset. Respect for this cultural diversity is vitally important to our community. Expressions of racial and religious vilification not only undermine people living in our community, they also threaten the fairness and tolerance of our society.

Combating prejudice and assisting people to overcome disadvantage are two of the Government’s key priorities. To achieve this, the Government is proposing new legislation to reinforce the right of all Victorians to live without fear of vilification in their public and private lives.

The legislation will provide people who are subject to an act of racial or religious vilification, with a formal process by which they can seek a remedy. It is simply about making acts of racial and religious vilification unlawful. It will still allow people to put their views and express their opinions”.

The format for the consultation process was to facilitate persons to respond to five questions in small discussion groups so they may have input into the legislation.

Here follows the list of five questions:

1. Can you give examples of behaviour towards racial and religious groups that you think amounts to vilification?

2. Is racial/religious intolerance more offensive in public than in private?

3. Are there any circumstances where racial or religious intolerance is acceptable to protect the right of speech, e.g.. for artistic expression, for scientific or academic research and or fair reporting?

4. Under what circumstances should a complaint be conciliated? Are there any cases that should be referred to the police and the courts?

5. If this legislation is introduced what steps would need to be taken to ensure you know how to use it?

Guided by our Teacher John D. Hughes, the Members of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. answered all questions, and representative Members presented to the meeting our response and an example of religious vilification.

The act of vilifying a person or persons is described in The New Shorter Oxford Dictionary as: to depreciate or disparage them with abusive or slanderous language; it is to defame, revile, or speak evil of someone; regarding them as worthless or of little value, (to) despise.

Our Members presented to the Honourable Members a letter from our organisation dated 20 February 2001 to Ms Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Aged and Multicultural Affairs, and Member for Caulfield.

See Appendix 1 for this letter.

4. KEYNOTE OPPORTUNITIES

Multicultural Variety Concert

The Ethnic Communities Council Victoria is holding the "Multicultural Variety Concert" to launch Senior Citizens Week 2001.

This event will by held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Sunday 18 March at 11 am and 2.30pm.

Tickets are free. To book call 9349 4122.

Reclining Buddha Image (from Brooking Street Bugle 52)

Members are invited to assist with the further building of the concrete base and surrounds for the new Reclining Buddha Image.

5. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Evelin Halls

Thank you for your continued commitment and support to our Centres’ IT Management.

Email communication

Email communication technology allows our documents to be proof read by Members in their own homes. Thank you to Leanne Eames for the work done on the Corporate Governance and Reporting Report.

Network Protection

In order to protect our valuable resource base our Centre has only one computer at the Centre which is linked to the Internet. It is not used to download programs or surf the net.

John D. Hughes and John D. Hughes and Associates Pty. Ltd. have separate lines for their Internet connected computers.

Therefore the new online Winzip will not be installed on the network.

Aladdin Expander

If unzip programs are needed on PC’s at our Centre, we can safely install the Aladdin Expander which is a free program. Evelin is happy to help with that. Please be aware of copyright at all times.

Kodak Digital Camera Software

The software for our Teacher's Kodak digital camera is installed on PC4 ready for Members to use.

6. FUNDRAISING APPEALS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS

Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser

For those who would like to help in the fundraising of the Centre by selling chocolates, please complete the details on the Chocolate Fundraising Sheet stored in the front of the Roster Folder, kept in the Work in Progress Tray in CGR.

Each box contains 30 chocolates (either Cadbury Caramello Koalas for $1.00 or Cadbury Freddo Frogs for $1.00; Cadbury Baby Bunnies for $2.00; Cadbury Honeycomb Crunch for $2.00; and Bags of Easter Eggs for $3.00).

All remaining chocolate boxes are stored in the small bookshelf behind John D. Hughes's chair in Suite 3.

Feel free to sell as many chocolates as you like right up until the 27 March, 2001.

Please place monies in the Dana Box envelopes and complete the following:

Date:

Name:

Amount: $

Details: CGR Chocolate Fundraiser

Box Number/s:

Garage Sale

The garage sale will now be held 17 March, Members are needed to help with items to sell and time on 17 march to help sell and set up.

The address is 11 Mahony Street Upwey, Victoria 3158. Contact Lenore Hamilton if you can help.

Fund Raising Raffle

Tickets $1:00 each or $5:00 for 6 tickets

1st Prize: Handmade Patchwork Quilt 144 mm x 240 mm

2nd Prize: Wahl World Class Travel Shaver Model No. 70393

3rd Prize: Replica Paintings on Cards by Ch’an Master John D. Hughes

Drawn Easter Sunday 15th April 2001. Winner will be notified 18th April 2001.

Permission Granted by Licensing Services Branch, Department of Justice, Consumer and Business Affairs Victoria.

Flower Bulb Fundraiser

Jan is organising to get permission to hold this fundraiser. He is looking for flower bulb sellers.

Contact Jan for an information kit.

“How Many Smarties?” Fundraiser

On Tuesday 6 March 2001, Members will be issued with a poster and tickets to enable them to sell tickets outside of the Centre in the “How Many Smarties?” Fundraiser.

First Prize is a Dragon Protector, second prize ten beautiful Ch’an Cards by Ch’an Master John D. Hughes and third prize is the jar of Smarties.

St. Valentine's Day Gift and Flower Stall Fundraising Report

The profit from the St Valentine's Day Gift and Flower Stall fund raising project held on 14 February 2001:

Gross takings $2791.05

Costs $1454.00

Net Profit $1336.41

All figures exclude GST

Other Income

Donations $300.00

Money raised for Bangladesh Orphanage $25.90

7. JOHN D. HUGHES NEWS

Outstanding Achievement Nomination for John D. Hughes

Our Teacher, John D. Hughes, has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in the Senior Australian of the Year Awards 2000. The Senior Australian of the Year Awards recognise individuals who are making an outstanding contribution to Australia.

The National Australia Day Council has acknowledged John D. Hughes’ outstanding achievements and recognised his contribution to the nation.

8. CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

• John D. Hughes has been preparing a White Paper on the Geology Museum

• Julie O’Donnell has been typing onto our LAN the STATHAGATO SNISAM SITATAPATRAM APARAJIJAM PRATYUNGIRAM DHARANI (Surangama Mantra), translated by Francisco So

• Explore ways of generating standby electricity for our LAN

• Train Members in Statistics and Time Planning as these will be used as Key Performance Indicators for Corporate Governance and Reporting (CGR)

• Map the pH of the garden site

• Convert the Organise... database used in the Library to catalogue items into a format which will enable us to easily upload it onto our website www.bdcu.org.au

• Program PHOTOLAN using Linux

• Locate financial software suitable for five-year planning projections

• Provide Members with selling techniques for our web sites

9. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY NEWS (OH&S)

Members’ fire fighting clothing and equipment is stored near Fragrance Corner, located in the Eastern entrance next to the Coca Cola machine.

“Stingoes” is missing from the First Aid Kit. Isabella Hobbs has been assigned to check the First Aid Kit weekly and replace all missing items. She is to document the checks in the Occupational Health & Safety record book, located in the CGR Office.

10. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & REPORTING (CGR)

Colour Code: Red

CGR Manager: Anita Svensson

CGR Task Unit Members: Pam Adkins, Julian Bamford, Vincenzo Cavuoto, Leanne Eames, Evelin Halls, Lenore Hamilton, Isabella Hobbs, Clara Iaquinto, Rodney Johnson, Lisa Nelson, Rilla Oellien, Amber Svensson, Anita Svensson, Lainie Smallwood and Santi Sukha.

CGR Task Unit Responsibilities: to administer to all correspondence; to adhere to legal requirements of corporate affairs, accounts, meetings, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S); to schedule events; to organise attendants for staffing the centre; to maintain data bases; to maintain office supplies; and to communicate with government departments.

CGR Task Unit Do-List

AAA Priorities:

1. Complete CGR Report - Anita Svensson, Tim Browning and Lisa Nelson

2. Post overseas letters

3. Commence Statistics and Time Planning Training – Julian Bamford, Lisa Nelson and Anita Svensson

4. Answer overseas correspondence - request help from Rilla Oellien, Evelin Halls, Pennie White, Clara Iaquinto

5. Enter incoming and outgoing correspondence into new CGR Database-request help from Clara Iaquinto, Isabella Hobbs, Sally

6. Update filing-request help from Clara Iaquinto, Isabella Hobbs and Sally

7. Commence preparation for Vesak - request help from Peter Jackson, Julian Bamford, Anita Svensson

8. Ideas to raise funds for the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd. Request help from all CGR Task unit Members

9. File BSB issues into CGR, Library and JDH file - request help from Isabella Hobbs

10. Update Procedure Manual - request help from Anita Svensson

11. Members to please fill in the Attendant Roster which is located in the CGR Office, "Roster Book 2001" especially for Monday to Saturday mornings 6:30am-7:00am.

Minutes of the General Meeting held on 25 February 2001

See Appendix 2.

Next General Meeting

The next General meeting of the Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd., will be held on 25 March 2001 at 2:00pm.

Letterhead on PC13A

The Buddhist Discussion Centre Letterhead can be accessed using Star Office on PC13A. Pennie White has created and saved this file at: I:/common/general/bdculh.sgl

Santi Sukha will install Star Office onto the LAN so that this file may be accessed from all computers.

11. INTERNATIONAL DHAMMA ACTIVITIES (IDA)

Colour Code: Yellow

IDA Manager: John D. Hughes

IDA Vice-President: John D. Hughes,

IDA Joint Vice President: Julian Bamford,

IDA Task Unit Members: Pam Adkins, Tim Browning, Vince Cavuoto, Leanne Eames, Evelin Halls, Jocelyn Hughes, Julie O’Donnell, Rilla Oellien, Maria Pannozzo, Orysia Spinner, Santi Sukha, Amber Svensson and Anita Svensson.

IDA Task Unit Responsibilities: to maintain WFB liaison; to arrange Dhamma and Prajnaparmita Teachings, chanting, pujas, translations; to maintain and preserve the John D. Hughes Collection; to organise audio and video recording of teachings and events; to develop and maintain the Centre’s IT systems, data warehouse, LAN and web sites; to train Members to become webmasters; to develop e-commerce; to produce, edit, publish and distribute the BDDR and BSB; to write and broadcast “Buddhist Hour” Hillside radio scripts; to organise and teach Ch’an classes.

Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Mailing List

On Sunday 18 February, Arrisha completed the task of adding contacts from the World Fellowship of Buddhists Conference to the Buddha Dhyana Dana Review Mailing List database.

There are now 977 contacts (an increase of 115 or 13.3% since BDDR Vol. 10

No. 2 was posted).

There are now 646 overseas contacts (an increase of 108 or 20%).

There are now 331 Australian contacts (an increase of 7 or 2%).

Postage Weight & Page Length of Buddha Dhyana Dana Review

The new length of the BDDR may be up to 32 pages (including the cover).

The next issue of the BDDR will have a smaller page length, so that each BDDR can be posted in the 50g - 125g category.

The 50g - 125g category is cheaper than the previous weight category we have used, the 125 - 250g category.

This length was calculated by finding out the maximum number of pages the BDDR could have to weigh below 125g, and reducing this by 15%. This was done to cover any increase in weight due to absorption of moisture between the Centre and the destination. The weight of the plastic bag and address sheet were also taken into account.

Note that this new page length is less than half our old page length (84 pages). This is because the cover of the BDDR is printed on heavier paper than the inside pages. Therefore, more than half the inside pages need to be removed to reduce the overall weight by a half.

The cost savings are:

Overseas

Zones 1, 2 and 3 - save $1 per BDDR (33%)

Zones 4 and 5 - save $1.50 per BDDR (33%)

Australia

Victorian Metro - save $0.22 per BDDR (26%)

Victorian Country - save $0.26 per BDDR (27%)

Interstate Metro - save $0.34 per BDDR (29%)

Interstate Country - save $0.38 per BDDR (29%)

Buddhist Hour Radio Broadcast

Broadcast title for this coming Sunday, 4 March 2001: Religious Tolerance by Society

Broadcast title on 25 February 2001: Cultivating Confidence in the Path

Broadcast title on 18 February 2001: Effective use of Libido

To read previous Buddhist Hour radio scripts please visit our website at www.bdcublessings.one.net.au/radio.html.

The 'Buddhist Hour' radio show is broadcast live on Internet radio at www.gbradio.com on Sundays from 11am to 12pm.

This means that persons from all around the world are able to hear the Radio Broadcast that consists of chanting and Buddha Dhamma texts.

As ‘gbradio’ is a very popular station, it may happen that you cannot get a connection. In that case, just keep trying until you get through.

Thank you Brendan and Janette Grainger at Hillside Radio and to Great Britain Radio and their technicians and Webmasters.

Lisa Nelson and Julian Bamford now share the position of program producer.

Preservation of the Radio Broadcasts

It is important that we preserve the Dhamma that is why we need good quality tapes to record our radio broadcasts.

Only BASF Chrome audio cassettes will be used to record our precious Buddhist Hour Radio Programs as they are much stronger and have a longer life expectancy.

Ch’an and Sumi-e Classes

A special workshop on ‘How to Stretch and Preserve Paintings’ will be taught by Andre Sollier on Saturday 31 March 2001 and Saturday 24 November 2001.

Please contact Julian Bamford on 0400 267 330 for further information or to make a booking for all Ch’an Academy classes.

To view a copy of the Ch'an Academy's Sumi-e classes brochure for 2001, please click here. Please note that to view and download the brochure you will require Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader.

New Labels for the John D. Hughes Collection

Pennie White has been developing “JDH Collection” labels for the Library. Presently, the labels used are photocopied, cut out and glued into the books. The logo has been scanned onto our LAN allowing the new labels to be printed onto stickers. This will ensure that labels do not easily become unstuck.

Our Web Sites

We welcome you to take a tour of our web sites. You can browse through our ‘Blessings’ web site at www.bdcublessings.one.net.au. This multimedia site also contains transcripts of our weekly ‘Buddhist Hour’ broadcasts, beautiful images and a video. All our web sites are hyperlinked and contain much Buddha Dhamma material.

www.bdcu.org.au

www.bdcublessings.one.net.au

www.skybusiness.com/j.d.hughes

www.companyontheweb.com/buddhamap

www.companyontheweb.com/buddhatext

www.johnhughes.citysearch.com.au

12. LOCAL AREA PLANNING & ASSET MANAGEMENT (LAPAM)

Colour Code: Green

LAPAM Manager: Frank Carter

LAPAM Task Unit Members: Stuart Amoore, Julian Bamford, Jan Bennett, Tim Browning, Frank Carter, Brendan Hall, Lenore Hamilton, Isabella Hobbs, David Igracki, Leila Lamers, Lyne Lehmann, Lisa Nelson and Philip Svensson,.

The LAPAM Task Unit Responsibilities: to maintain and develop the buildings and gardens of the Centre; to undertake new construction works; to refurbish the Centre’s buildings; and to look after equipment and supplies.

Reclining Buddha Image

The concrete side walls of the base for the Reclining Buddha Image were poured on Saturday 24 February starting at 11.30 am and finishing at 3.00 pm.

Flower petals and sandalwood oil was added to the concrete as it was being mixed.

Members who worked on this construction were Rodney Johnson, Leila Lamers, Santi Sukkha, David Igracki, Tim Browning, Lenore Hamilton, Philip Svensson, Isabella Hobbs, Julie O'Donnell and Frank Carter.

The cost of materials purchased and the cement mixer hire was $150. Members who would like to donate money towards this Buddha supporting base can place your offering in the dana jar on the table near the front entrance.

The framework around the new walls will be removed next weekend and the framing for the two ends of the base will be constructed then also.

Construction of Metal Shed

On Sunday 18 February 2001, Rodney, Lisa, David, Peter and Santi all worked on preparing the Metal Shed next to Suite 4. We thank Rodney for donating the shed to the Centre.

Wood donated by kind neighbour

Jocelyn Hughes’ neighbour has kindly donated wood to the Centre. Thank you.

13. MEMBER’S NEWS

Members who would like to share their news with others please email your news via Eudora so that it can be published in the Brooking Street Bugle.

14. SHARING OF MERIT

May this gift of merits help all beings know the path, realise the path, follow the path.

MAY ALL BEINGS BE WELL AND HAPPY

Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu

Appendix 1

20 February 2001

Ms Helen Shardey

Shadow Minister for Aged and Multicultural Affairs

Member for Caulfield

560 Glenhuntly Road

Elsternwick

Victoria 3185

Re: Proposed Racial and Religious

Tolerance Bill.

Thank you for your letter dated 12 February 2001.

We support the Victorian government in its production of a Racial and Religious Tolerance Discussion Paper and Model Bill.

We are happy to present you with our submission on our views on the issues raised in the Discussion Paper and Model Bill.

This legislation is appropriate to deal with situations such as ours.

Occasionally, as a condition for long life of the organisation, we desire to meet in large numbers as recommended by Lord Buddha.

For twenty years, we have cared for thousands of visitors on the holiday of the Chinese New Year. There have never been any serious complaints about the rights of thousands of fellow religionists to visit our Temple in the Chinese new year tradition. This is in keeping with a long tradition of healing practice.

We have existing use rights as a Hall of assembly.

Because of the politics of protest in this Dhamma ending age, the ill-will of one Australian neighbour who lives opposite our Centre is causing a barrier to the freedom of assembly for religious practice.

We do not take it personally because persons who attack religions and are supported by fire-worshipping demons who are under the guidance of Jataveda, naturally would oppose Buddha Dhamma followers.

The Quail’s Protection, that is one of the parittas that protects against fire, specifically mentions Jataveda. We have used the Quail’s Protection here for decades, and it has prevented our Centre being consumed by forest fires, or bushfires, as they are called in Australia.

The neighbour has bluffed some of our other neighbours to sign a petition to the local Council complaining about our supposed traffic. In fact, there is no measurement of what percentage of traffic is to our Temple as opposed to the dozens of other places in the street.

Some neighbours park semi-trailers in the street. Over the years, we have less traffic on an annualised basis than at least three other places within the street. For the first time ever , we have notified 48 Buddhist groups that we will not be able to invite them to visit en masse this year for the Chinese New Year ceremony.

We have suggested each group sends five persons (one car) to visit us.

There is one of the largest Buddhist Temples in Australia under construction at Kinglake in Victoria under the guidance of our good friend Master Lin.

In the future, we will help arrange the largest gathering in Victoria for the Chinese New Years to come.

When built, it can hold thousands of visitors at once.

Our friends have been visiting us for two decades. Our garden is a refuge at the height of Summer after they come in buses.

The news that we are unable to invite them to our Temple has caused great disappointment in the Buddhist community. One letter we received this week from a Vietnamese Temple said (in part):

‘According to the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition, on the occasion of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the Buddhist followers come to 10 Temples to pray and prostrate to the Buddhas and Boddhisattvas. This year we would like our tour group of around 100 people to visit your Centre.

However, I have received your letter and know that your neighbourhood community have expressed discomfort about the amount of traffic that is generated from your Centre on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

We are extremely disappointed about this information and so will not visit your Centre this year.

We look forward to visiting your Centre next year in 2002, we do hope we get good news from you. Be mindful of the Lord Buddha!’

Many organisations are very disappointed that we are unable to invite them to receive Buddha’s Teachings at this particular Chinese New Year. As is well known, it has been a bad year for many persons.

During Chinese New Year this year, Members put up auspicious Chinese calligraphy. They also put up Australian flags and Dhammacakra flags in preparation for the celebration of Australia Day.

Our Members work for the well being of the aged Chinese and Vietnamese. During the new year, we will be explaining the situation to the Government.

If our neighbour does not reverse his unfair position, we are likely to take action under the Bill when it becomes legislation as a warning to others. We have no ill-will towards the deluded neighbour in our street who believes he can act in a wild narrow manner with low tolerance for the rights of others.

This year brings hardship to some but it is through programs such as this published for the next year that persons move towards an enlightened perspective, and when this happens, lives are changed and the course of history altered.

Our erratic neighbour is to be pitied because he is heading for a low rebirth next life because of his actions.

So out of compassion for our neighbour, our Members will spend some time during 2001 preparing our submission for the Premier of Victoria, explaining how timely his legislation is in our case.

We will keep the local Shire council, who are quite supportive of our needs, informed of what we intend to do.

We are natural change artists in our Community. Correct thinking precedes all relevant action. In the medium term, our Members will purchase homes in the street to be near the Centre.

We are also applying to the Centenary of Federation Victoria to participate in the Federation 100 hours program. We are looking for legal assistance in the best way to handle the matter with our neighbour.

I look forward to meeting you at the consultation evening on Tuesday 20 February 2001, at Springvale .

With Kind Regards,

Yours Sincerely,

John D. Hughes, Dip. App. Chem. T.T.T.C GDAIE

Founder, Buddhist Discussion Centre (Upwey) Ltd.

Vice-president, World Fellowship of Buddhists.

Appendix 2

MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING OF THE BUDDHIST DISCUSSION CENTRE (UPWEY) LTD. HELD AT 33 BROOKING STREET, UPWEY, 3158

on Sunday 25 February 2001

Ref: PC1A Word Pro-i:\cgr\cadsc\meeting\gm25feb01

MEMBERS PRESENT : Julian Bamford, Jan Bennett, Frank Carter, Jocelyn Hughes, Rodney Johnson,

Rilla Oellien, Shorfeel Verstraete

MINUTE SEC: Rilla Oellien

MEETING OPENED: 2:06pm

CHAIRPERSON: Julian Bamford

APOLOGIES: John D. Hughes, Pam Adkins, Lenore Hamilton, Isabella Hobbs, Peter Jackson, Julie

O’Donnell, Lisa Nelson, Anita Svensson

Confirmation of the Minutes of the last General Meeting held on 28 January 2001.

MOTION: That the Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January 2001 as read be accepted.

MOVED: Frank Carter SEC: Rilla Oellien CARRIED

MOTION: That the Interim Focus Statement on Corporate Governance and Reporting Task Unit KPI Report 1 July -

31 December 2000 as tabled be accepted.

MOVED: Jocelyn Hughes SEC: Rodney Johnson CARRIED

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 2:00pm 25 March 2001

MEETING CLOSED: 2:13pm

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