Buddhism is Australia’s second largest religion, and has a long history dating back to at least the 1850s Gold Rush period, yet the life stories of prominent Buddhists in Australia have remained largely undocumented until now. A new initiative, Buddhist Life Stories, records the personal narratives of contemporary Australian Buddhists. , records the personal narratives of contemporary Australian Buddhists.
Buddhism is Australia’s second largest religion, and has a long history dating back to at least the 1850s Gold Rush period, yet the life stories of prominent Buddhists in Australia have remained largely undocumented until now.
Buddhist leaders and community members in Australia felt there was an urgent need to record these stories and to preserve them for future generations.
Dr Anna Halafoff, Dr Edwin Ng, Praveena Rajkobal and Jayne Garrod, researchers from Deakin University, responded to this call in partnership with the national and state Buddhist Councils of Australia and filmmaker Freeman Trebilcock.
With the assistance of the Research my World program, the crowd funding joint venture between Deakin University and Pozible.com, they raised $10,000 to begin to record these stories and increase understanding and awareness of Buddhism in Australia.
Links to Videos of Buddhist Life Stories
Phra Rajsilaporn, Wat Pa Buddharangsee Buddhist Forest Monastery, NSW
Phra Rajsilaporn
Ven. Thubten Gyatso, Thubten Shedrup Ling Monastery, VIC
Ven. Thubten Gyatso
Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera (Ajahn Brahm) Bodhinyana Monastery and Dhammaloka, WA
Ajahn Brahm
Ven. Robina Courtin (interview conducted at Atisha Centre, Vic)
Ven. Robina Courtin
Ven. Chi Kwang Sunim, The Seon Centre – Kinglake Buddhist Retreat, VIC
Ven. Chi Kwang Sunim
Graeme Lyall, Amitabha Buddhist Association of New South Wales, NSW
Mr Graeme Lyall
Phrakhru Kampeepanyawithet, The Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple Inc. VIC
Phrakhru Kampeepanyawithet
Ven. Yeshe Khadro, Karuna, Qld
Ven. Yeshe Khadro
Brian Ashen, Buddhist Council of Victoria
Brian Ashen
Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan OAM Quang Minh Temple, VIC
Ven. Thich Phuoc Tan
Bhante Sujato, Bodhinyana Monastery, WA
Bhante Sujato
Ven. Naotunne Vijitha Nayaka Thero, Dhammasarana Buddhist Temple, VIC
Ven. Naotunne Vijitha Nayaka Thero
Ven. Margaret McAndrew, Chenrezig Institute, Qld
Ven. Margaret McAndrew
Venerable Nirodha Bhikkhuni, Santi Forest Monastery
Venerable Nirodha Bhikkhuni
Kathy Vichta, Chenrezig Institute, Qld
Kathy Vichta
Tom Vichta, Chenrezig Institute, Qld
Tom Vichta
