Visting Kuan Yin at Nan Tien
February 3rd 2008 05:18
On a recent weekend I was invited to visit with my Aunt at her holiday house at Fairy Meadow, a suburb of North Wollongong. Apart from lots of lovely walks along the beach I also got to do one of my favorite things when visiting this area; a trip to Nan Tien Temple at Berkeley.
This Buddhist temple was opened in 1995 and is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. It's name means "Paradise of the south" and the minute you pass beneath the main gate you can see why. Not only is the architecture and statuary beautiful, it is set amongst beautiful gardens which flow with the valley and then the mountains nearby.
The highlight for me is the Hall of Compassion housing a statue of a Thousand Hand Kuan Yin. Her multiple arms and the circle of (literally) a thousand hands behind her to remind us of her infinite love and that she reaches out to all with her compassion. I was lucky enough to have a jade amulet of her blessed at her altar by a monk while I was there.
Here are some pictures of my visit;
This Buddhist temple was opened in 1995 and is the largest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. It's name means "Paradise of the south" and the minute you pass beneath the main gate you can see why. Not only is the architecture and statuary beautiful, it is set amongst beautiful gardens which flow with the valley and then the mountains nearby.
The highlight for me is the Hall of Compassion housing a statue of a Thousand Hand Kuan Yin. Her multiple arms and the circle of (literally) a thousand hands behind her to remind us of her infinite love and that she reaches out to all with her compassion. I was lucky enough to have a jade amulet of her blessed at her altar by a monk while I was there.
Here are some pictures of my visit;
Kuan Yin the garden
Again from a distance to show her beautiful setting
Great Hall of Compassion
Thousand Hand Kuan Yin in her temple (taken through the door as no photography inside!)
One of forty Kuan Yin staues in her garden, this one sits upon clouds....and cloud-like plants!
The Pagoda in which people can have their ashes kept.
One of dozens of 'baby' buddha statues dotted throughout the gardens. I like to imagine this one is studying his precepts.
Joy!
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