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In 1996, Venerable Master Chin Kung was introduced to Mr. Uri Themal, the Executive
Director of Multicultural Affairs of Queensland. He told Master Chin Kung that in recent
years the government of Australia had adopted a public policy of welcoming people from other
countries to immigrate to Australia.
These people represent different backgrounds, races and cultures. They have different ideas,
religious beliefs and ways of living. Now, living together, how can they mutually respect,
care, love and help each other, create a fulfilling life, a peaceful environment and a
prosperous society? Mr. Themal's concerns are very appropriate and very rare. They are the
same concerns as those of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, how to benefit all sentient beings.
Mr. Themal truly has the wisdom and heart of a Bodhisattva.
Early in 1998, Master Chin Kung visited Bond University of Gold Coast, Australia and met with
Professor Paul Wilson, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The university
, with over two thousand students coming from thirty different countries, is not unlike a
small United Nations. They are searching both for a way to form a harmonious multicultural
environment where students and teachers live and study together harmoniously as well as a
way to advocate this spirit throughout the world.
During his conversation with Professor Wilson, Master Chin Kung naturally thought of the Flower Adornment
Sutra. At the beginning of the sutra, there are one hundred seventy-five groups attending
the assembly who are of different species from different worlds throughout the universe.
It is the quintessential multiculture, the gathering together of beings from diverse
cultures with different beliefs, enjoying harmonious and virtuous living. In order to help
us to achieve this same harmony, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas first explain that the
universe is perfect, is one entity.
The Chinese classic from three thousand years ago, I Ching, the Book of Changes explains how Heaven and Earth,
the four seasons and all phenomena were originally formed from infinite particles. Lao Zi
clarified further that the universe and we share the same root and that all creations and
we are one entity. As Buddha Shakyamuni said, we all arose from the same essence.
If we wish to achieve a harmonious multiculture, we need to have the realization and understanding that we are
all one, then all of our problems will be solved. As ordinary beings, we do not yet have
this understanding thus our every thought, word and action is only for ourselves, our family
and our group. Our selfishness has resulted in our harming others to benefit ourselves.
This way of thinking has led to quarrels among people, feuds among families, wars among
countries. It is the basic cause of natural and human-made disasters. If we observe this
world calmly, we might well wonder what is the cause of these increasing disasters? It is
our increasing selfishness. As the Buddha told us, all disasters; all consequences come
from our ignorance, our false beliefs and wrong views. If we think of a tree as representing
the universe and look at its leaves individually, as ourselves, they appear to be separate but in reality they are
part of the whole. Our thinking of ourselves as being separate creates confrontations.
If we were to look more carefully, we would see that the leaves originate from the same branch and that all branches
grow from the same trunk. Looking deeply into the tree, to its root, we realize that the
leaves, branches, trunk, roots are all one entity. Once we truly understand this, all
confrontations will vanish, as our loving-kindness and compassion naturally arise, as we
care for others as we care for ourselves. This is truly reaching the non-duality between
us and others, understanding that we are one being, are all interrelated with one another.
This is truly realizing that the universe is one ideal family, that all groups are one complete
multiculture. Thus all disputes between we and others will naturally dissolve. This true
reality is the very heart of the Flower Adornment Sutra, making it ideal as teaching
material for multicultural study. The word "Flower" represents the innumerable diverse
groups in the universe. The word "Adornment" represents the concept that all these
diversities do not hinder us but combine to create the perfect beauty of the universe.
Those who have this great broad-mindedness and understanding are awakened beings like
Buddhas or Bodhisattvas.
Last year, Master Chin Kung visited Griffith University of Queensland where they are establishing a multifaith
center advocated by Mr. Themal. Master Chin Kung was delighted and pledged his full
support. He suggested that the university consider establishing a multicultural institute,
to train professionals to promote stability and world peace. His ideal is to have many
multicultural universities or at least a multicultural department in every university.
The principles and methods of the Buddha's teachings are both logical and practical. These teachings are
a treasure of humanity. They are the wisdom, the common thread that is the very essence,
the very heart, the very root of our religious and secular cultures. These are the perfection of
the universe, which can perfectly solve all our problems. We would do well to learn and
emulate them.
Today, Venerable Master Chin Kung considers himself most fortunate to be able to attend this very rare and
special gathering. He is grateful to you, for you are individuals with great foresight, dedication and wisdom.
To the sponsors of this conference, the religious and academic leaders, and the government
of Australia, he expresses his deep-felt admiration and respect as he pledges his full
support to the accomplishment of this great aspiration. Thank you.
Speech Given at The World Conference on Religion and Peace
"How to Create a Fulfilling and Prosperous Multicultural World " - 3 March, 1999