Vesak Message from Hon Dr Mike Nahan MLA
Hon Mike Nahan MLA
Treasurer; Minister for Energy;
Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
MESSAGE FROM HON DR MIKE NAHAN MLA
MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL INTERESTS
It gives me great pleasure to extend my very best wishes to the Buddhist
Council of Western Australia and the wider Buddhist community on the
occasion ofVesak2014.
The celebration of Vesak in WA expands each year as Buddhist communities
grow and more members of the wider community discover the benefits of
Buddhism in their daily lives.
Buddhism is the largest non-Christian religion in WA and is a significant and
thriving component of the remarkable diversity that we enjoy in this State.
The Western Australian Government proudly acknowledges and celebrates our
cultural diversity as one of our State’s great strengths.
Data from the 2011 Census indicated that there were 47,542 Buddhists in WA,
equivalent to more than two per cent of the State’s population. This means that
the Buddhist community had increased by more than 38 per cent since the 2006
Census.
The Census also indicated that nine per cent of the total Australian Buddhist
community lived in WA.
I commend the Buddhist Council of WA for its work in promoting and supporting
this State’s flourishing Buddhist community, and for holding annual Vesak
celebrations for the benefit of all Western Australians.
I also commend the council for spreading its message of Metta, or loving
kindness to all—a message that is as significant now as it was when the
Buddha was born more than 2500 years ago.
On the occasion of Vesak, I wish all Buddhists and their families in WA a happy
and uplifting celebration and trust that the day will bring you serenity and joy.
DR MIKE NAHAN MLA
TREASURER; MINISTER FOR ENERGY;
CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL INTERESTS
Level 13, Dumas House, 2 Havelock Street, West Perth, Western Australia 6005
Email: Minister.Nahan@dpc.wa.gov.au
