In the 1996 census there were 199,812 Buddhists living in Australia (ABS, 1996). Fourteen percent of Buddhists in Australia are Australian born (Adam & Hughes, 1996). The majority of Buddhists have come from Asia, particularly Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos with the single largest ethnic group of Buddhists being those from Vietnam. Chinese Buddhists also comprise a large proportion of Australian Buddhists, coming from many countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Peoples Republic of China. A smaller group of Buddhists of the Theravada traditions have come from Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand and there is also a number of Tibetan Buddhists. BuddhaNet, an Australian Internet Buddhist information service has a list of 167 Buddhist societies operating in Australia.
1. General Beliefs
Buddhism was founded on the Indian subcontinent around 560BC. Its founder was an Indian prince, Siddartha Gautama, who renounced his wealthy life after encountering sickness, death and the suffering experienced by his people. Through meditation, Guatama discovered the four noble truths. That the nature of existence is suffering, the cause of which is karma, produced by our deluded thoughts, actions and ignorance keeping us trapped in samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth). The cessation of these causes of suffering results in permanent peace (nirvana) and the path to cessation (the eightfold path) is to develop true understanding of the interdependent nature of all phenomena and to conduct ourselves in a way which is compassionate rather than harmful to others (Gyatsho, 1965). The components of the eightfold path are: Right View, Right Intention, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness, and Right Concentration.
The cessation of all suffering is the goal of Buddhists spiritual practice. Meditation is an important component 0f this practice, although some traditions give it higher importance than others. While there are many forms of meditation, the main purpose is to train the mind, bringing it under control, clearing it of impurities, and opening it to wisdom, awareness and observation. This training then influences how we live our daily life. In general a Buddhist is trying to live with correct understanding and correct moral action. The tenet of the “middle way” or moderation in everything is also an important part Buddhist philosophy and practice.
Known as Buddha after attaining enlightenment, Guatama’s teachings (Dharma) were passed down orally. By emphasising different aspects of the original teachings different lineages have developed. These different lineages spread to other countries, where the existing cultures influenced the form of practice and the aspects that were taught. Buddhism now consists of two main schools. Theravada, or Hinayana, emphasises the monastic tradition and holds that the path to Nirvana, is an individual pursuit. This tradition predominates in Sri Lanka, Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Mahayana, the more liberal tradition, holds that the belief of its followers will in time encompass the whole of humanity and lead to its salvation. This tradition predominates in China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Bhutan and Nepal. There are also major schools within this stream, such as the Vajrayana tradition found in Tibet and the Zen tradition of Japan (Klein, 1991).
