On Wednesday 28 May, our Centre President, Anthony Grenfell, and his wife Annie were honoured to represent Manjushri Buddhist Centre at the Vesak celebration held at Parliament House in Sydney. The event took place in the elegant Fountain Court of the NSW Parliament, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, and was attended by representatives of Buddhist communities from across the state.

Hosted by The Hon. Stephen Kamper, Minister for Multiculturalism, and Mr Mark Coure, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, the event brought together leaders from diverse Buddhist traditions in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. The celebration recognised Vesak, the most sacred day in the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.

In their remarks, both government representatives expressed deep appreciation for the contributions of the Buddhist community to the cultural and spiritual fabric of New South Wales. They emphasised the importance of compassion, mindfulness, and interfaith understanding in nurturing a harmonious society.

The ceremony included prayers, offerings, and reflections shared by various Buddhist organisations, highlighting the rich diversity within our shared Dharma. As an invitation-only event, it was a rare and valued opportunity for Buddhist leaders to gather in a formal setting and have the teachings of the Buddha publicly acknowledged at the heart of state governance.

Anthony noted the warmth and sincerity of the occasion, and expressed his gratitude on behalf of our Centre for being included. “It was moving to witness the Dharma being recognised in this way by our elected officials,” he said. “We felt a deep sense of connection and responsibility to continue sharing the Buddha’s message of peace and wisdom.”

We thank the Buddhist Council of NSW for coordinating the invitations and helping to ensure that the breadth of the Buddhist community was well represented. May this continued recognition help sow the seeds for greater understanding and harmony in our wider community.