Andrew Robinson and wife Prem represented Rigpa on Tuesday 26 May at NSW Parliament when the Buddhist community came together to commemorate Vesak - the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, and to share the values of peace and compassion. (In Tibetan Buddhism, Vesak is called Saga Dawa).
Other guests included The Hon. Stephen Kamper, Minister for Multiculturalism and Mr Mark Coure, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism (hosts), the Premier of NSW the Hon. Chris Minns and Opposition Leader the Hon. Kellie Sloane. Khenpo Tsering Tashi’s Yeshikhorlo sangha prepared the shrine. Former Chair of the Buddhist Council of NSW, Gawaine Powell Davies, said Vesak is a reminder that compassion must be practised through action.
“After his enlightenment, the Buddha did not keep wisdom as a private achievement. He chose to teach for the benefit of others,” Mr Powell Davies said. “That remains one of the enduring messages of Vesak: that wisdom is not fully realised without compassion, and compassion is not fully realised without action.”