BCWA Policies

This section of our website shares Buddhist principles, practices and policies, based on universal values of kindness and wisdom, on such social concerns such as Marriage Equality, Animal Rights and so on.

National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (Dec 2022)

Please click here to read our statement.

Oath Against Harm in the Practice of the Dharma (Dec 2022)

Please click here to read our statement.

Statement on Climate Change (Nov 2015)

           http://www.buddhistcouncilwa.org.au/home/climate-change-statement-published-by-federation-of-australian-buddhist-councils/

 

BCWA Statement on Equal Opportunity and Religious Freedoms and Rights

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) : The Committee supports the following statement made by the Buddhist Council of Victoria:

View on Assisted Dying Framework

In​ ​the​ ​teaching​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Buddha,​ ​human​ ​life​ ​is​ ​seen​ ​as​ ​both​ ​precious​ ​and​ ​rare.  Upon​ ​being​ ​born​ ​as​ ​human,​ ​due​ ​to​ ​causes​ ​and​ ​conditions,​ ​the​ ​teaching  encourages​ ​taking​ ​responsibility​ ​for​ ​one’s​ ​own​ ​actions.    
To​ ​a​ ​great​ ​extent​ ​our​ ​actions​ ​in​ ​this​ ​very​ ​life​ ​are​ ​within​ ​our​ ​own​ ​control​ ​and  yet​ ​the​ ​life​ ​conditions​ ​encountered​ ​by​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​may​ ​not​ ​necessarily​ ​be  favourable​ ​or​ ​desirable.​ ​Grave​ ​illness​ ​and​ ​unbearable​ ​pain​ ​are​ ​such​ ​human  conditions,​ ​unique​ ​to​ ​each​ ​individual​ ​situation​ ​which​ ​effect​ ​human​ ​dignity  and​ ​life​ ​choices.      
In​ ​addressing​ ​the​ ​question​ ​of​ ​an​ ​individual’s​ ​right​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​personal​ ​choice  to​ ​end​ ​life​ ​in​ ​such​ ​extreme​ ​situations,​ ​Buddhist​ ​teachings​ ​ideally​ ​point​ ​to  non​ ​violence,​ ​both​ ​towards​ ​one’s​ ​self​ ​and​ ​others.    
Yet​ ​compassion​ ​is​ ​an​ ​essential​ ​theme​ ​in​ ​Buddhist​ ​philosophy.​ ​That​ ​leads​ ​us  to​ ​the​ ​question,​ ​“Is​ ​it​ ​an​ ​act​ ​of​ ​compassion​ ​to​ ​deny​ ​an​ ​individual​ ​the​ ​choice  to​ ​end​ ​life​ ​prompted​ ​by​ ​unbearable​ ​pain?”    
The​ ​Buddhist​ ​view​ ​is​ ​sympathetic​ ​to​ ​the​ ​suffering​ ​of​ ​individuals​ ​yet​ ​holds  out​ ​the​ ​hope​ ​of​ ​a​ ​truth​ ​beyond​ ​suffering​ ​and​ ​calls​ ​for​ ​a​ ​greater  understanding​ ​of​ ​death.​ ​Such​ ​awareness​ ​of​ ​death​ ​may​ ​be​ ​brought​ ​about  through​ ​guidance​ ​and​ ​counselling.​ ​This​ ​process​ ​brings​ ​about​ ​peace​ ​with  surrounding​ ​conditions​ ​and​ ​impending​ ​death​ ​as​ ​opposed​ ​to​ ​facing​ ​an​ ​abrupt  end​ ​with​ ​confusion.    
The​ ​Buddhist​ ​Council​ ​of​ ​Victoria​ ​is​ ​available​ ​to​ ​offer​ ​such​ ​guidance​ ​and  counselling​ ​to​ ​any​ ​concerned​ ​individual​ ​or​ ​their​ ​families​ ​as​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​our  community​ ​services​ ​beyond​ ​religious​ ​boundaries.  

Statement on Marriage Equality (June 2014)

The BCWA affirms the right of same sex couples, in committed relationships, to be treated with the same dignity and equality as heterosexual couples. We support legislation to ensure the same rights and privileges  for all couples as enjoyed by heterosexual couples.

Submission to WA Government of Prostitution Law Reform (Feb 2011)

Please click here to read our statement.

Statement on Live Export (June 2011)

Please click here to read our statement.