Nan Tien Temple
Australia / Berkeley, New South Wales
Location ID: #10593
Situated at Berkeley - a suburb just south of Wollongong - is one of the branch temples of Fo Guang Shan. "Nan Tien" in Chinese, means "Paradise of the South". This is the biggest Buddhist temple in the southern hemisphere. The temple opened in 1995, and is located overlooking Mount Keira and Mount Kembla.
The temple is built in Chinese style, cost over $A30 million and has many facilities. There is a large Buddha Hall with five Buddha statues and a thousand illuminated Buddas in niches in the walls. It seats 800. The International Conference Centre has a 330 seat auditorium and a Pilgrim Lodge. The five story pagoda has three halls and is a resting place for the deceased. There is also a Cultural Museum and an extensive library. The buildings are arranged round a central courtyard. A garden of Australian trees and shrubs surrounds the temple.