On the morning of October 21, 2012, the sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze was freely blowing. Master Yankuo of Australian Shaolin Cultural Center led other masters and Buddhism devotees to attended “The Dharma Assembly for Praying for the Double Ninth Festival and Ornamental Pillars (Hua Biao) Consecration Rite” held in Baofu Mountain in Sydney. Abbott Tonny, present President of Australian Liberal Party and his wife, Kevin Michael Rudd, former prime minister of Australia, Mr. Eman, general manager of Baofu Mountain, Mr. Chen Weiqiu, chairman of the Chin Lien Chinese Association of Australia, lay Buddhist Moon, Chairman Lin, Mr. Chen Yunming, Chinese Lion Dancing Association, Teo Chew Association and other Chinese Associations attended the Dharma assembly together.

Solemn consecration rite and Dharma assembly

At 10 o’clock in the morning, in Baofu Mountain, Master Yankuo led all the monks put incense burner table, paid respect for Buddha devoutly. On the occasion of the Double Ninth Festival, everyone prayed good health, happy family for the people of China and Australia and wished the friendship between both countries last forever. Meanwhile, they prayed for world peace and human happiness.

President Abbott Tonny took a group photo with Master Yankuo

Mr. Kevin Michael Rudd took a group photo with the masters

Kevin Michael Rudd, former prime minister of Australia happily talked with Master Yankuo in Chinese. He said, “Chinese language is a wonderful language, Chinese culture is a wonderful culture and Chinese civilization is a wonderful civilization. My son-in-law is a Chinese and my granddaughter can speak Chinese very well.” Master Yankuo said that Buddhism always pays attention to international exchange. Shaolin culture is the product of cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries. He invited Mr. Kevin Michael Rudd to go and visit Shaolin Temple with his family in their own good time.

Group photo after the Dharma assembly