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28 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

When I grew up in Australia in the 1960s, there were no particular needs at particular times. I think the award
Buddhist temples or monks or nuns. It was at the end recognizes these particular contributions, but it also
of the period called ‘White Australia’, and we were very recognizes that the Buddhist community is making a
isolated from the wider world in every sense. Having contribution to Australian society overall.
found that these Tibetan centers were in existence in
the 1980s, I became active in supporting centers and You are also a marriage and funeral celebrant. As I am
eventually was given the task of bringing an important sure some of your clients would be non-Buddhists, do
Tibetan lama to Melbourne, HH Sakya Trizin, the head you conduct different ceremonies for Buddhists and
of the Sakya tradition. As well as running his center, I non-Buddhists?
became his representative in Melbourne. Meanwhile
umbrella bodies were being established so that all the Australian wedding and funeral ceremonies have fairly
different temples could talk to each other, and I joined predictable structures, so up until now the differences
the committee of the Buddhist Council of Victoria. I have have been in the addition of Buddhist prayers and shrines
been on that committee intermittently over the past 25 in Buddhist ceremonies. You may also invite a monk or a
years and am currently the Vice-President. nun to chant. Otherwise they look much the same.

In 2023 you received an Order of Australia (OAM) award What are the common readings or prayers that you
for your service to the Buddhist community during the would select for a marriage and death ceremony if the
King’s Birthday Honours List. Can you share more about request is for something specifically Buddhist?
this award?
Thich Nhat Hanh (1926-2022) is a great source for
This award recognizes my service to the Buddhist readings and prayers. I recommend his book, ‘Chanting
community in Australia. Some of my more important from the Heart’, published by Parallax Press. I recently
achievements include establishing a national body included this text in a wedding ceremony as the couple
for Buddhist women, Sakyadhita Australia. I was the had requested refuge prayers to be a part of it:
Foundation President in 2016 and it is connected to
Sakyadhita International, the world-wide body that has Incense perfumes the atmosphere.
conferences every two years. I also wrote the Federation A lotus blooms and the Buddha appears.
of Australian Buddhist Councils’ national policy on The world of suffering and discrimination
disability access to temples. The Buddhist community is filled with the light of the rising sun.
had not systematically considered the needs of disabled As the dust of fear and anxiety settles,
people to enter temples and the policy seeks to raise with open heart, one-pointed mind,
awareness and provide strategies to make temples I turn to the Three Jewels.
accessible. Incidentally, I am currently the President of
The Fully Enlightened One, beautifully seated, peaceful
the Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils (FABC).
and smiling,
(See links below.) I put together a booklet on palliative
a living source of understanding and compassion
care with input from Chinese, Tibetan, Vietnamese,
to the Buddha I go for refuge.
Korean, Theravadin and Japanese abbots and teachers
and it has had a very big impact. Called, ‘Buddhist Care
The path of mindful living,
for the Dying’, even now, 20 years after it was published
leading to healing, joy, and enlightenment, the way of
by the Buddhist Council of Victoria, it is still a standard
peace,
text in hospital and prison chaplaincy. I am active in
to the Dharma I go for refuge.
interfaith dialogue and regularly speak at multi-faith
events where we seek to find common ground between
The loving and supportive community of practice,
different religious traditions. There have been many
realizing harmony, awareness and liberation,
projects over the years and I have just responded to
to the Sangha I go for refuge.