On May 9, representatives from Buddhist Council member organisations gathered with members of Parliament and interfaith colleagues to celebrate the Birth of the Buddha. This auspicious event marked the opening of this year’s Vesak and featured a diverse array of Buddhist groups from across the state. The celebration was hosted by Steve Kamper, the Minister for Multiculturalism, and Mark Joseph Coure, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, alongside the Buddhist Council of NSW.

Our own Chiaki attended this significant event, who reported that the politicians spoke eloquently about the significance of Vesak, the Four Noble Truths, the universal nature of Buddhism, and its contributions to the successful multiculturalism in NSW. Gawaine Powell Davies delivered a speech about BCNSW and its activities, including chaplaincy and SRE.

The event saw an attendance of 100-150 people, including monks and nuns from various parts of the state. An exciting highlight was the minister’s announcement that Vesak in Parliament will become an annual event, a decision that brought great joy to the Buddhist Council of NSW.

This celebration not only highlighted the unity and diversity within the Buddhist community but also underscored the growing recognition of Buddhism’s role in fostering multicultural harmony in our state.