The Buddhist Temple

Wednesday, March 21, 2012
The Buddhist Temple

I left the office a few hours early today and met Linda downtown. We decided to try one more time to see the Buddhist Temple just to the south of Wollongong. We found out the bus #34 goes right by there; so we hustled down to the stop, waited for the bus and headed out. The ride
took only 15 or 20 minutes and discharged us in front of the 15 ft. high iron gate. In the background we could see could see a massive cluster of soft-peach colored buildings with deep-glossy orange roofs—Nan Tien Temple. Apparently, this is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere—the others being in the USA and Taiwan. The buildings and rooms included the Main Shrine, Front Shrine (compassion hall), Pagoda (several stories high) and
several others. We wandered onto the grounds and around a sizeable lily pond surrounded by green lawns, diverse shrubs and trees and multiple tiny Buddha figures placed throughout the property. Next we entered the front hall with its multi-armed figure symbolizing great compassion. Then we walked up several levels and entered the great courtyard (beautifully landscaped) where a kind gentleman took a picture of us in front of the main shrine.

We climbed the final level and entered the main shrine with the five Buddhas symbolizing: confidence, longevity, wisdom, inner beauty and peace. Altogether it presented one of
the most beautiful and fascinating structure I have ever seen. Tiny little figures, each with a tiny
inscription in calligraphic or alphabetic symbols memorializing a designated person, covered every-square-inch of the 25-foot high walls. Finally we left the main compound and walked
to the pagoda—an eight story resting place for the deceased believers. We weren’t permitted to go up to other levels, but we explored the ground level and enjoyed the ornate décor and
soaring structure of the worship center.

We left the building compound and proceeded across the exquisite grounds to the bus stop. It arrived after a few minutes and returned us to the western culture of Wollongong. It was a
hot, sunny day; so offered a good excuse for a cold beer at the Illawara Brewery—just down the street from our apartment. A perfect end to a beautiful day I would say…..

Tomorrow is our last full day in Wollongong; then we head to Melbourne on Friday.