澳中佛教总会李卫国秘书长英语发言,以母语致辞

*澳中佛教总会李卫国秘书长英语发言*

Dear Master Wang

The Honourable Tasmanian MPs and the Government officials

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning and Happy Lunar New Year!

It’s my great honour to be here today to attend this very meaningful event, cultural event, by sounding the bell and sending best wishes to the upcoming lunar new year, the Year of the Rabbit.

Sounding the bell to mark lunar new year is one of the Chinese New Year routines with almost two thousand years of history which draws back to Three Kingdom in China. The sound of the bell is supposed to reduce the evil passions, such as anxiety, fear, anger, jealousy, depression, and to pray for the safety, good health and prosperity. 

Lunar New Year also known as the Spring Festival in Australia. It’s not only celebrate by Chinese heritage Australians, but also it is one of the biggest, and the most important festivals in Australia’s annual multicultural calendar.

For many years, Master Wang and his team has brought wonderful and creative cultural events in Hobart which has enormously promoted harmonious, inclusive and cohesive society of Australia which we see as our common whole. So let’s put (our) hands together for the great contribution of Master Wang. 

Lastly, I would like to wish the sounding of the bell and the drum in harmony will bring everyone and your family members with good luck, peace and prosperity. 

Thank you.

Lastly please allow me to say a few words in Chinese.

【全场热烈鼓掌】

*澳中佛教总会李卫国秘书长亲自翻译自己英语发言，以母语致辞*

尊敬的塔州中国佛学院院长中国汉传密宗一代宗师　智及维摩诘，

尊敬的各位塔州的议员、政府官员、所有的嘉宾代表，

大家春节好！

又是一年除夕至，又是一年年来到。非常高兴和荣幸，在这辞旧迎新之际，能够出席由塔州中国佛学院所举办癸卯兔年鸣钟祈福迎春活动。春节是中国传统文化的重要载体之一，也是澳大利亚日历中的重要庆典。此时此刻当欢乐团圆共享祈福和纳祥的春节文化情怀，汇聚在美丽的霍巴特金刚禅寺的中国文化公园，我们由衷的为多彩而包容的澳大利亚多元文化而喝彩，同时也为博大而精深的中华文化而自豪。春节文化遗存中的许多精神财富，可以帮助更好的凝聚我们在澳的华裔族群，并与澳大利亚的其他族群一道和谐生辉，共同建造我们伟大的和美丽的澳大利亚家园。多年来，智及宗师和祂的团队，植根塔州这片热土，为弘扬中华优秀传统文化，促进澳大利亚多元文化发展，以及族裔的和睦作了大量友谊的贡献。特别是能因地制宜，与时俱进的将中华传统文化创造性发展，创新性演绎，主持和呈现了一大批质量高，创意新，受欢迎的文化活动，我也深深为此而感到敬佩，在此，让我们把热烈的掌声送给　智及宗师！

各位朋友，寺院鸣钟祈福是中国春节的习俗之一，可以追溯到二千年前的三国时代。钟鼓合鸣不仅可以驱散过去年的不快烦恼，也可以为新的一年带来平安吉祥。朋友们，再过十多个小时，我们将送去任寅虎年，迎来癸卯兔年，让我们带上笑容，带着祝福，共同鸣钟祈福，以慈悲叩响心灵的心灯，为来年点亮希望和光明。最后祝愿所有的来宾和您们的家人在兔年里，新春大吉，心悦体健，万事顺遂，鸿途大展，也祝愿我们伟大的澳大利亚和我们的祖藉国在新的一年风调雨顺，国运亨通。谢谢。【全场热烈鼓掌】