DDM SYDNEY – ENGAGED BUDDHISM
On 31 May 2007, at the invitation of the organising committee, the convenor of DDM Sydney represented Master Sheng Yen and attended the Australian Observance of the United Nations Day of Vesak with two other DDM members at the Sydney Town Hall.
In Australia, Buddhism is regarded as the fastest growing and second largest religion after Christianity with significant contribution to peace, harmony, social cohesion and well-being of the Australian people. Hence the celebration of the UN Day of Vesak is of special significance for the Buddhist and Sangha communities.
Distinguished guests of this event included the Mayor of Sydney, Government representatives and Members of Parliament.
It was also the first time that the Common Buddhist Chanting was chanted in English and presented to the public with the aim that it will be used in all Buddhist general ceremonies, meetings, conferences and official functions, especially on an international level where participants are from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
On 16 June, 2007, DDM Sydney organised a book stall to distribute free books to the public at Domain during His Holiness the Dalai Lama's visit to Sydney, Australia.
Despite pouring rain and howling wind, our volunteers gathered at the stall early in the morning and braved the elements to hang the DDM logo so that it was visible for all. After His Holiness the Dalai Lama's free public talk on "The Power of Compassion", our team of twelve volunteers handed out all free distribution books within half an hour in the rain. The most popular book of the day was "Meeting of Minds", a dialogue between Chan Master Sheng Yen and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
DDM Sydney actively engages in and co-operates with other Buddhist organisation in the promotion of Buddhist teachings.
(contributed by DDM Australia)
