Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (IBCV)

Origins

Fo Guang Shan Melbourne is located in the suburb of Yarraville. Previously, the site of an Anglican Girls’ School, this three storey building now offers a Buddha Hall, meditation room, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva hall, classrooms, library, dining hall and gift shop. There is also on-site parking.

Humanistic Buddhism - Relevant to daily life and in tune with local culture.

I.Realising Master Hsing Yun’s vision of being amongst the people

• Buddha’s Day Multicultural Festival: Held over two days at Federation Square. The event drew a crowd of over 50,000 people with attractions such as Tea Ch’an, lotus flower folding, cultural performances and stalls serving vegetarian delicacies.
• Chinese New Year Celebrations: In order to further propagate Humanistic Buddhism, the temple participates in local New Year celebrations. Offering a range of attractions such as Light Offering and beading craft, the stalls draw great interest.
• The temple actively takes part in community events and welcomes other organisations to visit and give talks.

II. Spreading the Sounds of Dharma Fo Guang Shan Melbourne (IBCV) - Broadcasting

• Broadcasting from the Chinese radio station 3CW, every Friday Fo Guang Shan Melbourne presents a programme on Buddhism, relaying topics from Merit Times newspaper and Master Hsing Yun’s literature series, as well as introducing the tranquil tunes of Buddhist music for morning chanting.
• Occasional Dharma talks and seminars are held.
• The temple actively takes part in community events and welcomes other organisations to visit and give talks.

III. Strengthening its community image through participation

• Since 2004 the temple’s Buddha’s Light (BLIA) members have participated in Clean Up Australia Day each year and hence raised the their profile.
• The members also take part in events such as Tree Planting Day that aims to beautify the city and preserve the environment.
• The Humanistic Buddhism Study Groups aim to enhance personal growth. Sixteen study groups have been formed with a combined member participation of over a hundred people.

IV. Develop the monastery into learning centres
A range of events catering for different age groups are organised:

• Dharma Lecturer training course
• Fo Guang Chinese School
• Art and craft classes and extracurricular classes including children’s tutorial, calligraphy class, Ch’an meditation class and others.
• Conferences and camps for self-cultivation and self-development: Children’s Happy Camp, Australia and New Zealand Youth Conference, Three-day meditation retreat.
• The Humanistic Buddhism Study Groups aim to enhance personal growth. Sixteen study groups have been formed with a combined member participation of over a hundred people.