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Culture and Sheet

July 2015

Aim the provision of , services and facilities, in accommodation, clubs and in application forms This information sheet aims to raise awareness (see the Equal Opportunity Commission website and understanding of Buddhist religious and http://www.eoc.wa.gov.au/Index.aspx). cultural practices to assist service providers in the government and not-for-profit community sectors to Service providers and employers who recognise, improve service development and delivery. value and promote cultural and religious diversity can address more the needs of their clients and Introduction staff, thus providing services based on practice. Respecting the roles of religion in various cultures is Western is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and part of courteous, ethical and professional behaviour, multicultural society. Religious freedom and mutual which promotes a just and equitable society. respect for all are integral parts of our shared culture and are important underlying principles of and democracy. in Western Australia There are a number of international treaties and national laws that recognise Though records are sparse, it is likely that Buddhism and as fundamental rights, such as the was first brought to Australia around the mid-19th Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the century by Chinese miners joining the rushes. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 Japanese pearl divers and their families arrived shortly and the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986. after the Chinese, bringing Buddhism with them to Broome, Darwin and Thursday Island. Celebration of In Western Australia it is unlawful under the Equal Buddhist became a popular feature of life in Opportunity Act 1984 to discriminate against a person Broome, ceasing only during War II internment of because of their religious conviction in certain areas Japanese residents. of public life including employment, education, The mid-1970s saw a turning point in the history of Buddhism throughout Australia with the arrival of large The information contained in this Office of numbers of ethnic Buddhists as refugees from the Multicultural Interests (OMI) information sheet Indochinese wars. Most were from but there is made available in good , is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the were also numbers of Lao and Kampuchean Buddhists. of release and does not necessarily reflect the views of OMI. All efforts have been made to ensure Demographics the accuracy of the material; OMI cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors. If you The 2011 Census has indicated that there are 47,542 would like to give feedback, please contact OMI on people who identify themselves as Buddhist in Western [email protected]. Australia, representing an increase of 13,189 people, or 38.4 per cent, since the 2006 Census.

2 Culture and religion information sheet—Buddhism

Between the 2006 and 2011 Censuses, the number Key beliefs of people in Australia who identified themselves as Buddhist increased by 110,222, an increase of 26 per The following are the key Buddhist beliefs: cent. All Buddhists believe in . This belief shapes their attitude to life and , making them Buddhism: background and origins more at ease with a premature or unexpected death Siddhattha Gotama was born as a prince in what is now of a loved one and more accepting of their own Southern over 2500 years ago. Seeing that life’s death when it is imminent. Carers should bear in pleasures fade quickly, he out in search of lasting that such in the face of tragedy comes from . After six years of mainly solitary practice their religious beliefs and not from fear or denial. committed to cultivating and purifying the mind, he Buddhists also believe in the Law of , which discovered the timeless of existence and realised explains that one’s own happiness or suffering, enlightenment: the complete cessation of greed, hatred success or failure, health or illness and so on, are and delusion, which are at the root of all discontent caused by one’s own bodily, verbal or mental actions deep within the mind. (karma means action). Karma is not , since Henceforth known as the , he devoted the Buddhists realise that karma is ‘work-in-’ so remaining 45 years of his life to teaching and helping that even now they are generating the causes for others to attain the same sublime happiness of or failure. Thus, in of distress, liberation that he had discovered. Buddhists will seek to do good karma to alleviate any unpleasantness. Today, two main strands of Buddhism are recognised: Buddhism is not a -centred faith. Thus Buddhists Buddhism, the main religion of , do not , nor surrender their fate to a divine Burma, , and but also being. However, the majority of Buddhists will have prevalent in , and Nepal. statues of the Buddha, Kuan Yin (the of ), (the future Buddha) and other icons Buddhism, the main religion of , in their and houses, and pray in front of them , , , Vietnam and but also for favours. Though these images are meant to be prevalent in , Malaysia, Singapore and Nepal. merely images of reflection, to generate inspiration, The variations in practice among Buddhists from person they are regularly used as a focus for aspirations, to person and country to country are often shaped by that is, praying. Also, Buddhists accept the of cultural rather than religious factors. science, such as evolution, the ‘Big Bang’, genetics and so forth.

Buddhists place strong emphasis on compassion. Since Buddhism holds that one can be reborn from

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the animal, , or lower realms, and that Language and communication one can also reincarnate back into those realms (as well as back to the human realm), Buddhists show Some Buddhists from South-East Asian countries compassion to animals and insects. In practice, are reluctant to make contradictions, disagree or compassion takes the form of not doing anything that refuse requests directly, as this would be considered harms another or oneself, but instead strives to bring impolite. ‘No’ may be expressed or hinted at happiness to all beings, including oneself. This leads indirectly. on to the basic moral conduct for Buddhists, called For some Buddhists from South-East Asian countries, the Five . direct public criticism may lead to ‘loss of face’. For Buddhists try to live by the of them, this is a state of severe humiliation, loss of harmlessness. However, if they fail, they are still fully reputation and emotional upheaval. accepted within the Buddhist community. The Five Precepts are strongly encouraged: Body language and behaviour Refraining from intentionally killing any living being Nonverbal communication has a powerful effect on relationships and effective service provision. Nonverbal Refraining from any form of stealing signals acceptable in one culture may be completely Refraining from sexual misconduct, in particular unacceptable or even offensive in another. from committing adultery On entering a or monastic building—and in Refraining from any form of lying many cases a Buddhist home—shoes and any head Refraining from taking and non-medicinal covering should be removed. drugs. At , temples and in homes, Buddhists will usually bow three times before a statue of the Buddha, as a means of paying respect to the It is Western Australian Government example of the Buddha, to his teachings, and to the Enlightened and . Non-Buddhists are not policy to provide competent interpreting expected to bow. and translating services to clients who are unable to communicate effectively Lay Buddhists will often bow as a mark of respect to in spoken or written English.1 monks, nuns and, in some cultures, to elders. Some Buddhist monks and nuns are generally not Government agency staff can contact allowed to come into direct physical contact with the Translating and Interpreting Service members of the opposite gender. (TIS) on telephone 131 450. Police and soldiers (or any other person) should not carry weapons into a or . In some pointing the soles of the feet 1. The Western Australian Language Services Policy, 2008, Office of Multicultural Interests, towards a statue of the Buddha, a , monks, nuns, Western Australian Government. or people in general, is considered very impolite.

4 Culture and religion information sheet—Buddhism

Touching the head of a person is considered to Seating be impolite. The only exceptions relate to special circumstances, such as during medical treatment, in The following sensitivity needs to be observed in which permission should be sought and will generally seating arrangements for interview purposes or hosting be readily granted. official functions: Greeting The rules for some Buddhist monks and nuns do not allow them to be alone with the opposite The following sensitivities need to be observed on sex. Lay Buddhists of both genders have no such greeting or introduction: requirements. It is inappropriate for some Theravada Buddhist monks and nuns to shake hands. Food, drink and A common Buddhist way of greeting is to put the Recognising appropriate foods and beverages is palms of the hands together and raise them to the essential in responding to the needs of religious chin. communities. When hosting people from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds, always serve a Names and titles selection of vegetarian and meat on separate trays as a of good practice. A variety of non-alcoholic Buddhist monks and nuns can be addressed as drinks should also be available at any official function. ‘Venerable’, ‘Roshi’, ‘’, ‘Master’, ‘’ or ‘Sister’, The following issues relating to food, drink and fasting depending on their . Buddhist generally should also be understood: prefer to laugh at any mistakes in protocol and rarely take offence. Traditions vary over whether or not the Buddha prohibited the eating of meat. Because the Buddhist Dress and appearance code of includes compassion to animals, many Buddhists are vegetarian, however, they do not take The following dress codes apply: offence at others eating meat. Buddhist monks shave their heads and wear a robe Some monks and nuns eat meat and others are that is usually brown/tan, , , maroon, grey vegetarian. or black. Buddhist nuns also shave their heads and wear a robe which is usually brown, maroon, white, Some Buddhist monks, nuns and lay people do not eat grey or pink. in the period from noon until the dawn of the next day. Lay Buddhists follow the Australian dress code and are indistinguishable from the majority. Visitors to Buddhist temples or monasteries should dress and behave modestly, as is customary in any religious place or building.

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Family and marriage Religious festivals and days The differing family characteristics of different religious of significance groups should be appreciated. These include:

The following key religious festivals and Most Buddhist monks and nuns do not perform significant cultural and religious days are marriage ceremonies but often give a after celebrated: the civil ceremony.

The Buddhist ‘’ (a day of renewed In some Buddhist families, the most senior male is dedication) is observed roughly every seven considered the head of the family, though often the to eight days (on the waning, new, waxing eldest son will represent the family in any discussions and full moon days). It is a common day for or interviews. visiting a monastery.

Vesak Day (Vasaka ) is the full moon Medical of May. It commemorates the birth, Where possible, doctors, nurses, and other medical Enlightenment, and final passing away of the service providers treating Buddhist monks or nuns Buddha. It is the major Buddhist of should be of the same gender. the year. The family of a sick Buddhist in hospital will often be The Rains (Vassavassa, or ) is very keen to attend to their sick relative. approximately from the full moon of July to Sick Buddhists in hospital may also request a visit the full moon of October. During this time from a or , but in some Buddhist cultures Theravada monks and nuns devote more this is only for the terminally ill. time to and study and do not travel for long from their monastery. Counselling/interviews The Ceremony is sometime in Refer to the sections on ‘Body language and October/November (depending on behaviour’, ‘Language and communication’ and monasteries). Monastic supplies are offered ‘Seating’. following the monks’ three-month annual retreat. Buddhist monks, nuns and some lay spiritual leaders are highly regarded by their communities and are often called upon for counselling and advice.

6 Culture and religion information sheet—Buddhism

Death and related issues Buddhism does not prescribe any particular preparation of the corpse or type of so this Death and the grieving process are particularly will vary depending on cultural traditions. significant and important for all religious communities. is common, though Chinese Buddhists prefer . Some sensitivities related to Buddhism include the Sometimes the ashes of the deceased are kept or following: enshrined in a Buddhist temple or monastery.

A Buddhist would normally do their best to help a services are normally performed by dying person attain a good by ensuring that Buddhist monks or nuns. the quality of their final moment of consciousness is as peaceful and free of fear as possible (see above, ‘Key beliefs’). This is helped if visitors stay serene and calm and help the dying person recollect their good actions. A calm and peaceful environment is helpful.

Often a dying Buddhist will ask to see a Buddhist monk or nun of their own tradition to give him or her encouragement, spiritual support and sometimes chanting of Buddhist scriptures or . Further enquiries This information sheet has been produced Dying Buddhists may request that all pain killing by the Office of Multicultural Interests with or other drugs, which impair clarity of mind, be the support of the of WA. withdrawn shortly before death. For further information please contact the Buddhists would usually have no objection to an Buddhist Society of WA. autopsy, though most Buddhists would prefer that Correspondence can be forwarded to: the body be left in an undisturbed state for as long President as possible. Mahayana Buddhists prefer the body to The Buddhist Society of Western Australia be left untouched for up to eight hours while Tibetan 18–20 Nanson Way Buddhists usually it to be undisturbed for three Nollamara WA 6061 days. Telephone: (08) 9345 1711 After a Buddhist has died, his or her relatives Fascimile: (08) 9344 4220 will often perform acts of or religious Email address: [email protected] observance in their name and dedicate the power of Web: www.bswa.org that goodness to the wellbeing of the deceased.

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