Aug 24, 20165 min
A Tasmanian August is akin to the farewell of the frigid chilly bleaks of midwinter. Within the Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia, red and yellow flags flutter with the wind; the Guardian Stone Lions and Four Great Heavenly Devas glisten luminously under the bright and radiant sunlight, while the surrounding is filled with the chirping sounds of birds and floral aromas, with the distant hills covered with trees and lush vegetation. Today – the morning of 24 August 2016, here we invited the most distinguished of guests – Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM, Governor of Tasmania.
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM is the 28th and current Governor of Tasmania. Before Her Excellency’s appointment as the Governor of Tasmania, she was and still is a renowned professor in law with international influence. Her Excellency has been involved in and contributed enormously towards constitutional research and Tasmanian law reform. Eminent above all others, she was appointed as the first female Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tasmania, and now, the first female Governor in Tasmanian history.
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM is also a female leader with brilliant wisdom and virtuous compassion. At the time Her Excellency assumed office as Governor, she said:
“I wish to dedicate myself to Tasmania and the people of Tasmania.”
“I feel privileged to have this opportunity.”
“I hope to do the best for the people of this state.”
The friendship between Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM and Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang along with the Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia originated through various occasions of social events; every time we met with Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM, Her Excellency cordially and mutually exchanged greetings with Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang. On 15 April of this year, Her Excellency the Governor received Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang at Government House, and enquired about the developmental progress of the Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia.
Today, at the Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia in Campania, as soon as Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM stepped out of her car, she was warmly welcomed by Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang and Elder Guru representatives of Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia. The affability of the Tasmanian Governor not only embodies the harmonious recognition of the Tasmanian community towards Chinese Han Transmission Tantrayana – Holy Tantra Gu Fan Mi Jin-Gang-Dhyana Buddhism, however, more so shows the love and care of the broader Tasmanian governmental officials towards the citizens of Tasmania, and their high values placed on the multicultural communities, to accommodate and accept communities of different backgrounds and religious cultures. Furthermore, this personifies the internal spiritual strength of maintaining the steady and peaceful social environments, the outstanding and sound humanistic facilities and the steady progress in economic development in Australia.
After Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang shook hands and paid respects to Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM, he presented her with spiritual gifts – a ceremonial ha-da (sash) for distinguished guests and a bouquet of fresh flowers. At this time, the sounds from the evidently ancient Chinese Imperial style tempos and rhythms of the Holy Tantra Drum resonated, sometimes loud and sonorous, yet sometimes slow and smooth. A pair of Vajra Dharma Lions appeared in sychrony with the beats of the drums, performing and displaying wonderful dances, gaining rounds of applause and repeated praise from Her Excellency the Governor.
Accompanied by Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang and Holy Tantra Elder Gurus, Her Excellency the Governor visited the preliminary developmental stages of the Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia – the Two Guardian Stone Lions and Four Great Heavenly Devas, as well as the Great Hero Hall, and the first phase of the Chinese Arts Centre at Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia, which exhibits traditional Chinese paintings from past Chinese dynasties (yet to be open to public).
Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM, Governor of Tasmania showed considerable interest in Chinese culture. During her visit, she often revealed her recognition of and admiration for Chinese culture. She told Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang that her granddaughter is currently learning Chinese. Walking slowly as she visited each statue, she attentively listened to the explanation of the Two Guardian Stone Lions and Four Great Heavenly Devas by Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang.
On every occasion when Her Excellency the Governor heard about the meaning of the Holy statues and the philosophical Buddhist ideologies that are encompassed within each statue, she would express deep inspiration or ask questions which are wise yet humorous, thus initiating even deeper and more profound philosophical thinking and spiritual enlightenment. Her Excellency the Governor is humorous yet remained dignified, is wise yet exhibited an abundant of wit; adding a subtle relaxed flavour to this official visit, invariably allowing those in attendance to feel a sense of warmth and kindness emanating from her.
Her Excellency the Governor was very concerned and caring towards the developmental progress of the Tasmanian Chinese Cultural Park of Australia. During her visit, she listened to Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang talk about the preparatory construction stages. She was also delighted to take a photo with the Guardian Stone Lions and Four Great Heavenly Devas as memento, and also sound the Buddhist bell inside The Great Hero Hall.
We are very grateful to the Tasmanian and Australian government, to Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AM. It is truly because of the care and acceptance from you and the extensive Tasmanian community that allows for Chinese Han Transmission Esoteric Buddhism to exist in the western world, a place so far away from our birthplace in China. We have benefited from the generous and liberal freedom of the Tasmanian humanistic environment, allowing for steady growth and blossoming fruits. The steady development of today’s Holy Tantra Esoteric Buddhism cannot be separated from your care and support. With such profound kindness bestowed upon us, in return we must present our utmost devotion and sincerity multiple times over.
At a morning tea reception that was relaxed and joyous yet filled with Dhyana, Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang devoutly and respectfully presented the 2013 Yearbook of Chinese in Australia and 2014 Yearbook of Chinese in Australia to Her Excellency the Governor. Within the “New Personnel” article in the 2014 Yearbook of Chinese in Australia, the news of the Governor’s appointment to office, her personal biography and photograph were published.
A beautiful occasion passed so swiftly; the Governor was due for her next event on her schedule. As she bid farewell, Her Excellency the Governor personally shook the hand of Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master Wang, and thanked him, Holy Tantra Elder Gurus and the Vajra Dharma Lion team. With great spiritual enlightenment and filled with affability and kindness, Her Excellency the Governor said: “I hope I live up to some of those wonderful Buddhist ideals. I will keep trying.” This appropriately embodies the sincere and deep humility of a great scholar and expert in law.
Photos from the occasion can also be found on the official website of The Governor of Tasmania:
http://www.govhouse.tas.gov.au/vice-regal-news-and-photos/24-august-2016