澳中佛教總會李衛國秘書長英語發言,以母語致辭

*澳中佛教總會李衛國秘書長英語發言*

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.

【全場熱烈鼓掌】

*澳中佛教總會李衛國秘書長親自翻譯自己英語發言，以母語致辭*

尊敬的塔州中國佛學院院長中國漢傳密宗一代宗師　智及維摩詰，

尊敬的各位塔州的議員、政府官員、所有的嘉賓代表，

大家春節好！

又是一年除夕至，又是一年年來到。非常高興和榮幸，在這辭舊迎新之際，能夠出席由塔州中國佛學院所舉辦癸卯兔年鳴鐘祈福迎春活動。春節是中國傳統文化的重要載體之一，也是澳大利亞日曆中的重要慶典。此時此刻當歡樂團圓共享祈福和納祥的春節文化情懷，匯聚在美麗的霍巴特金剛禪寺的中國文化公園，我們由衷的為多彩而包容的澳大利亞多元文化而喝彩，同時也為博大而精深的中華文化而自豪。春節文化遺存中的許多精神財富，可以幫助更好的凝聚我們在澳的華裔族群，並與澳大利亞的其他族群一道和諧生輝，共同建造我們偉大的和美麗的澳大利亞家園。多年來，智及宗師和祂的團隊，植根塔州這片熱土，為弘揚中華優秀傳統文化，促進澳大利亞多元文化發展，以及族裔的和睦作了大量友誼的貢獻。特別是能因地制宜，與時俱進的將中華傳統文化創造性發展，創新性演繹，主持和呈現了一大批質量高，創意新，受歡迎的文化活動，我也深深為此而感到敬佩，在此，讓我們把熱烈的掌聲送給　智及宗師！

各位朋友，寺院鳴鐘祈福是中國春節的習俗之一，可以追溯到二千年前的三國時代。鐘鼓合鳴不僅可以驅散過去年的不快煩惱，也可以為新的一年帶來平安吉祥。朋友們，再過十多個小時，我們將送去任寅虎年，迎來癸卯兔年，讓我們帶上笑容，帶著祝福，共同鳴鐘祈福，以慈悲叩響心靈的心燈，為來年點亮希望和光明。最後祝願所有的來賓和您們的家人在兔年裡，新春大吉，心悅體健，萬事順遂，鴻途大展，也祝願我們偉大的澳大利亞和我們的祖藉國在新的一年風調雨順，國運亨通。謝謝。【全場熱烈鼓掌】