On 23rd July 2016, the research institute of the Esoteric Faculty of the Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia – Chinese Han Transmission Esotericism Academy (CHTEA) held its 8th Academic Symposium.
Over 120 people attended the symposium with attendees coming especially from China, USA, New Zealand, Indonesia, mainland Australia, and Hong Kong, as well as many from the local Hobart community.
The Symposium began with Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master, President of the Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia and Permanent President of CHTEA announcing the official start of the event with an opening speech, and welcoming all those in attendance. Holy Tantra Rituals followed soon after in accordance to tradition:
1. Ancient Indian Vaisali Bhagavan Fo Fan Vidyadhara Indra Net Homa Holy Ceremony
(To safeguard the harmony of all nationalities, pacifying natural disasters, facilitating mutual aid and love of all humanity, and propagating world peace together)
2. Holy Ritual of Displaying the Academy Flag of Chinese Han Transmission Esotericism Academy
(To pay the utmost respect to the Nation and the School, demonstrating the inheritance of Ancient Indian Primordial Esoteric Buddhism along with the tradition of its integration with Chinese culture to extensively disseminate the Holy Dharma)
3. Welcoming of the Ancient Indian Vaisali Bhagavan Fo Fan Vidyadhara Lineage Transmission Holy Tantra Dharma Implements
(A prayer to hope for world peace to benefit sentient beings, and the bestowment of great auspiciousness)
Up till the morning of the symposium, the Symposium Examination Committee received over 80 papers, with 12 of them receiving 1st prize. The youngest awardee was under two years old from the nation with profound Buddha yuan (connection) - Sri Lanka, who received a Commemorative Prize for her lotus painting.
The Examination Committee was chaired by the President of Chinese Han Transmission Esotericism Academy - Elder Guru Vajra Long-Sheng, and along with the Dean of the Academy - Elder Guru Vajra Hong-Jing, Vice Presidents - Elder Guru Vajra Yong-Le and Elder Guru Vajra Fa-Xian, Elder Guru Vajra Fa-Cheng, and Elder Guru Vajra Hong-Hao, comprised the main panel. The inspirations and experiences of the seven 1st prize papers were shared by the authors themselves, and then critiqued by the Examination Committee. The Director and Deputy Director of Editorial and Translation Bureau, Elder Guru Vajra Fa-Cheng and Elder Guru Vajra Hong-Hao, respectively, performed immediate interpretations into English of the proceedings of the symposium, in order to benefit the participation and exchange of local attendees, so that all can enjoy the Dharma benefits.
In the closing Dragon Discourse speech announcing the perfect completion of this year’s Symposium, Bhagavan Zhi-Ji Vimalakirti Patriarch Master praised the high quality papers received this year, as well as giving high praise to the hard working and enthusiastic studious attitudes of the participating scholars.
A full day of academic sharing and exchange yielded rich and fruitful results, elevating one’s spiritual level towards enlightenment of Esoteric Dharma, thus allowing further transcendence in realisation of one’s meditation. A day of nurturing with Dharma nectar invoked happiness of the body and the mind, resulting in great Dharma joy.