 |
| Buddhism in Australia |
Australia has been through a revolution of change. What started as 'White Australia' is now 'Multicultural Australia'. Australia's history is a vast and complex one, with so many events and changes; one does not know where to begin. Though, in this case, trying to examine the rise of Buddhism in Australia, we have to begin with the Immigration Restriction Act (also called the 'White Australia Policy') because from here, we can establish how and why Australia has become multicultural and how attitudes have changed since the Restriction Act.
 |
| White Australia Policy |
Everything begins with a step.
Before the Immigration Restriction Act was abolished, the Australian society was largely Anglo-Saxon dominated with traditional Christian beliefs and practices. More than half the population came from Britain and 'outsiders' weren't allowed to enter Australia - at all. This changed, however, when the Immigration Restriction Act was demolished. Slowly, yet rapidly, Buddhism emerged as the practice of religion (a religion different to that of Christianity) was allowed. This was the starting point of the rise of Buddhism in Australia.
When did it actually first arrive?
 |
| Gold Rushes |
According to Professor Roderick S. Bucknell [1] [2], he says that Buddhism arrived in Australia with the Chinese miners who came at the time of the Gold Rushes, in the middle of the 19th Century. A majority of these miners who came, followed the Mahayana Buddhist School. When the gold ran out, the miners returned to their homes. Nevertheless, their Buddhist practice still managed to stay behind and have a lasting religious influence of religious life in Australia. Another Buddhist group that arrived were the Japanese. Their public celebrations of Buddhist Festivals inspired many non-Buddhists and became a popular feature in the Australian culture.
 |
| Arrival of Buddhism |
Another significant period was the 1800's and 1900's. This was the time when the Theravada Buddhist School made an impact on the Australian society. Labourers from Sri Lanka came to work in Australia in the sugar industry. They made their mark when they began to build Australia's first Buddhist Temple. Though, these people didn't stay long as they returned home when the sugar ran out.
Throughout the 20th Century, a minority of Anglo-Australians acquired knowledge of Buddhist teachings and practices through reading, contact or travel. Minority groups were also established such as the group called 'Little Circle of the Dharma' in Melbourne 1925. [3]
The most popular Buddhist Schools that attracted the attention of early Australian Buddhists were: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
 |
| Theravada Buddhism |
The refugee immigration was another turning point for the growth of Buddhism in Australia. Most of these refugees came from the Indochinese wars and the majority of them came from Vietnam and Laos. The Vietnamese brought with them the Mahayana teachings while the people from Laos brought with them the Theravadin teachings. We also had the arrival of the Tibetans who brought with them the Vajrayana teachings of Buddhism which appealed to the vast majority of Australians. This was most likely due to the colourful symbolism of Vajrayana and the charismatic figure of the Dalai Lama. [4] [5]
As a result of these historical events, all three of the major branches of Buddhism are evident in today's society: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. The different styles and teachings of the various Schools of Buddhism clearly appeal to different segments of Australia's Buddhist population.
In the article titled 'Most Australian's a Christian: census' published in the Sydney Morning Herald (smh) on June the 27th, 2007, by an unknown author [6] , it states that Christianity still remains the largest religion in Australia. However, Buddhism is trying to gain the title as it falls right behind Christianity. This is evident as in the article it says that almost 12.7 million Australians declared they were Christian in the 2006 census but as a proportion of the population, Christianity fell from 71% to 64%. Buddhism according to the article, grew 109% to about 418 000 people with Sydney and Melbourne having the same number of Buddhists.
 |
| Australian Buddhist |
Similarly, the website titled 'Buddhism', published by OK Travel, 2011 [7] , states that Buddhism was 418 754 people strong, making up roughly 2.11% of the Australian belief landscape in accordance to the 2006 census.
These statistics from both sources prove that Buddhism, since the 1900's, is still increasing rapidly in Australia. The latest 2006 census also proves otherwise.
Patricia Dr. Sherwood, in her book titled: 'Buddha is in the street: Engaged Buddhism in Australia' [8] , states that the rise of Buddhism in Australia indicates Australia's interest in non-Christian spirituality. She also says that Buddhism, with its emphasis on meditation, reflection and awareness, is thought to provide an antidote to the materialism and consumption which dominate the Western society.
These are the possible reasons why Buddhism is such a fast growing religion in Australia as it allows Australians to 'break free' from the materialism of the Western society and achieve awareness and spirituality.
 |
| Buddhist Spirituality |
To give another insight as to how and why Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia, Gary D. Bouma in his book titled: 'Many Religions, All Australian: Religious Settlement, Identity and Cultural Diversity' [9] , emphasises that potential Australian Buddhists are most likely to convert to the religions as they are attracted to the Dharma (Buddhist teachings). They do not only take refuge from a world of chaos and confusion, but also to change their personal sense of a meaningful spirituality in a society full with consumerism, violence, etc. He also believes that because Buddhism doesn't require its adherents to remain faithful to a specific dogma, one might highly likely become heavily influenced into the Buddhist religion.
In Buddhist Philosophy [10] , Richard Wertz suggests that many Australians choosing to convert to Buddhism feel dissatisfied or disillusioned with established religions. He also says that Buddhism can be defined as a philosophy or 'way of life' rather than a formal religion.
We can see the recurring pattern as to why Australian's are most likely influenced by Buddhism. All suggest that Buddhism allows its adherents to breathe and move away from the strict consumer dominated society. The reason why Buddhism is rising is because its teachings, practices and understanding of the way of life isn't mushed up and confusing but rather, it's free and understandable.
To give a little more of a further understanding of the rise of Buddhism, the Venerable Thich Minh Hieu, according to the article titled: 'Religions and their followers find a safe haven', published by the Sydney Morning Herald (smh) on 24th of August 2011 [11] , explains why so many Westerners have been converting to Buddhism. 'In a society where many Westerners have to pursue a life of material achievement, they have often found misery,' he says. 'In Buddhism they have found peace of mind. They appreciate the meditation, where you go deep inside yourself for peace.'
 |
| Buddha |
Buddhism has risen rapidly, that now it can be taught in Australian schools alongside other religions such a Christianity. Educational institutions are teaching students the value of religion and are considering religions other than Christianity in the school curriculum. This is evident in the article titled: 'The God complexity: a faith war in our schools' published in the Sydney Morning Herald (smh) on July the 24th 2011, by Michael Bachelard [12] . This article discusses the idea of religion being taught in schools, especially Christianity. Peter Sherlock says: 'As a Christian I'm happy for my faith to be considered not only alongside Islam and Buddhism and Judaism...'
These are the main factors which have contributed to the rise of Buddhism in Australia. The Buddhist way of life, teachings, and beliefs have made it easy and simple for Westerners to give rise of the religion in Australia. This is where we can say that Buddhism is a belief system with a rich history and a bright future.
If you are interested of how Buddhism came into place, see the History of Buddhism page of this blog.
Footnotes:
1. Superadmin, Advaita Academy, (2010), 'Roderick S. Bucknell'. Accessed on July the 18th 2011 from: http://advaita-academy.org/AdvaitaWiki/(S(xjatadncafcwbs55qkiuww55))/Roderick-S-Bucknell.ashx
2. Professor Roderick S. Bucknell, Fo Guang Shan: Chung Tian Temple, (2011), ‘Buddhism comes to Australia’. Accessed on July the 18th 2011 from: http://www.chungtian.org.au/english/Budd_Australia3. Buddhism, (-), 'Origins of the Buddhist Community in Australia'. Accessed on July the 18th 2011 from: http://intranet.cbhslewisham.nsw.edu.au:82/sor/austrelcomms/contents/buddhists/buch2.htm
4. Wikipedia, (2011), ‘Buddhism in Australia’. Accessed on July the 18th 2011 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism_in_Australia
5. Adam, Enid and Hughes, Philip J., ‘The Buddhists in Australia’. Canberra, Bureau of Immigration, Multicultural and Population Research/Australian Government Publishing Service, (1996), page 65 -66.
6. -, (2007, June 27). Most Australian’s are Christian: census; The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from: http://news.smh.com.au/national/most-australians-are-christian-census-20070627-kri.html
7. OK Travel, (2011), 'Buddhism'. Accessed on July the 19th 2011, from: http://www.oktravel.com.au/statistics/religion/buddhism/
8. Sherwood, Patricia, (2003), 'Buddha is in the Street: Engaged Buddhism in Australia'. Suki Hotu Press, KL - page 221
9. Bouma, Gary D., (1997), ‘Many Religions, All Australian: Religious Settlement, Identity and Cultural Diversity'. Melbourne: Christian Research Association.
10. Wertz, Richard, (2008), 'Buddhist Philosophy'. Accessed on July the 19th 2011, from: http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/02cul/c04s03.html#Buddhism%20As%20Philosophy
11. -, (2011, April 22). Religions and their followers find safe haven; The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from: http://www.smh.com.au/national/religions-and-their-followers-find-a-safe-haven-20110421-1dql8.html
12. Bachelard Michael, (2011, July 24). The God complexity: a faith war in our schools; The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from: http://www.smh.com.au/victoria/the-god-complexity-a-faith-war-in-our-schools-20110723-1hu87.html
