By Dhawa Dhondup (Acharya), on behalf of the Conference.
Dee Why, Sydney, April 6 – Tibetan communities of the Southern Hemisphere gathered here in Sydney this afternoon, for the Third Annual Conference of Tibetan Communities of Australia-New Zealand. Tibetans from Melbourne, New Castle and from the outlaying fringes of Sydney’s urban sprawl attended today’s inaugural session in the northern beachside suburb of Dee Why.
Presided by the special guest, Mr Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha, the Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the event began with procession of His Holiness’ photograph onto the throne, followed by singing of Tibetan and Australian national anthems, and two-minute silent tribute to the brave compatriots who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our national cause.
The others on the dais were Mr Ngodup Gyaltsen (Secretary, Tibet Office, Canberra), Mr Jigmey Dorjee (President, Tibetan Community Association of Sydney) and Mr Thupten Dhondup (President, Tibetan Community Association of Melbourne).
Mr Jigmey Dorjee, the President of Tibetan Community Association of Sydney (and New South Wales) welcomed the delegates and briefly explained the reasons why Sydney association was requested to again host the conference. Sydney has the most number of Tibetans in this southern part of the world.
At the initiative of the Representative, Mr Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha, the first conference was held in Melbourne, and the last, which took place in Sydney, was timed to the then visit to Australia of the Prime Minister, Prof Samdhong Rinpoche, in February 2006.
In his address Mr Tenzin Phuntsok Atisha outlined major issues of importance with regards to our Tibetan situation, the Middle Way approach, and gave advices on the importance of honest living.
Starting at three in the afternoon, today’s session was conducted on the agenda of “Reviewing the resolutions of the last Conference.” These included:
In order to preserve our Tibetan culture and spiritual traditions how best to help our youths maintain contacts with our Tibetan language, culture and spirituality.
How best to help establish contact amongst Tibetans in the locality, for the purpose of helping one another.
How and what struggle movements should we organize, both collectively and individually;
and others.
Passionate opinions came in queued successions from the public, the clarifications from the dais were equally forthcoming. It was agreed that, weekend Tibetan language classes for local Tibetan youths have been running well in both Sydney and Melbourne. Cultural Programmes Section, providing traditional dances and singing on important occasions – like the one presented by four youths here at the opening of the Conference – are also afoot in both cities. Admiration for such community success was pointed out by a voice from the floor, who said, “From where I came in Tibet, there are some thirty-thousand people in the area. But not a single school has been set up [by the Chinese]. Here we have a mere some three-hundred people and we have such classes running!”
With the upcoming visit to Australia in June 2007 by His Holiness the Dalai lama, the Tibetans here are preparing to organize a Ten-shuk Request Prayer to Live Long. This and other matters are on agenda for tomorrow, when the Conference continues for the whole day and concludes the day after, with a lunch at the park near Dee Why waves.
For further information, please contact: Mr Jigmey Dorjee (President, Tibetan Community Association of Sydney); Mobile: 0410138568
