Centre Opening

(Left to right - Brian Ashen, Cathy Evans, Dick Gross, Sr. Virginia Calpotura, Di Cousens)

Somehow we managed to squeeze about 30 people into our small Buddhist temple above a cafe in Balaclava on 12 June 2004 to celebrate our Centre Opening. We had monks and a nun of the Tibetan tradition – from the Kagyu Evam Buddhist Institute and the Jamchen Centre - and the Vietnamese tradition was represented by Ven. Phuoc Tan of the Quang Minh temple.

The Honourable Dick Gross, Mayor of Port Phillip, and Sister Virginia Calpotura, RMIT Chaplain, joined Ms Cathy Evans, representing Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden of the Tibetan Buddhist society and Brian Ashen, President of the Buddhist Council of Victoria presided. Dick and Sister Virginia both commented on the importance of community and the significance of having a place of practice from their own experience in the Jewish and Christian traditions.

We received many gifts, particularly flowers, and it was wonderful to see new and old faces. After Tara Puja and the speeches everybody had tea, coffee and excellent Patterson's cake. It was a great occasion to celebrate our first home, and most importantly, our first large Buddha statue, which was principally sponsored by Ven. Chi Kwang Sunim, an Australian nun of the Korean tradition.

(Left to right - Brian Ashen, Ven. Phuoc Tan & fellow Monk of the Quang Minh Temple)

I reproduce my talk.

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Friends,

Welcome to you all. Today we are celebrating the establishment of our first physical centre. The Melbourne Sakya Centre has been operational for seven years, but previously we have met in members' homes and rented premises for teachings. This is our first ongoing place with a proper established shrine and also, most importantly, our first substantial Buddha statue!

The significance of a Centre like ours is perhaps not immediately obvious. We are a spiritual community, and our bond is in an intangible common purpose. Our purpose is to understand the teachings of the Buddha and to be guided by them. We believe that his ideas about non-violence, on helping - not harming and on all beings' capacity for unlimited change and growth, are beneficial for ourselves and others in the wider society. We are not saying that only the Buddha had good ideas, but we are saying here is a body of good ideas that are helpful.

In demonstrating our presence, through having a physical space, we are also creating greater possibilities to study, meditate and understand Buddhist practice as a lived experience, and an experience that takes place within community.

I would like to note that today is the anniversary of Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo, one of the great masters of Tibet who lived over four hundred years ago. I would like to acknowledge letters of support from the Budawang Buddhists of Ulladulla and the Great Stupa of Bendigo.

While we have been in existence since 1997, I feel very much that we are only just beginning. In the not too distant future I hope that we will have a resident lama and a place of practice that can be accessed all the time. In the mean time we are dependent on the generosity of our friends and you will find some opportunities to contribute to the Sakya Centre in the handouts.

I would like to thank Ven. Chikwang Sunim, whose contribution enabled our purchase of the statue, our Centre Sponsors, our speakers and you, all our guests. I am very grateful that we can celebrate this occasion together.