654 Cabramatta Road West, Bonnyrigg NSW 2177 - Ph: 9823-3603
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sun
9am - 4pm
The Main Hall
The Main Hall contains many large shrines of popular deities of the Buddhist religion. Here is some info about some of them.
Amitabha Buddha (left) - "O-Mi-To Fwo"
The Buddha of the Western pureland (Land of ultimate bliss). Amitabha in sanskrit means "infinite light"; he is also knjown as Amitayus. He is the Buddha of comprehensive love, and works for the enlightenment of all beings. He created the "pureland" and it is believed that calling upon his name many times will guarantee rebirth in this land.
Sakyamuni Buddha (centre)
Founder of Buddhism also regarded as the supreme Buddha who preaches the Four Noble Truths:
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the suffering of life;
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the origin of suffering;
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the cessation of suffering;
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and the way that leads to cessation
and the Noble Eightfold Path (right view, right thought, right speech, right action, right living, right effort, right mindfulness and the right concentration.
Many historical accounts say that Sakyamuni Buddha's real name was Siddhartha Gautama and he was an Indian prince who renounced his title and riches and eventually found enightenment under the Bodhi Tree.
Medicine Buddha (right) - "Yao Shi Fwo"
Buddha of the East, also known as Bhaisajyaguru, is the healing Buddha. This Buddha bestows blessings and long life on people and helps them in times of disaster and difficulty. People often pray to Bhaisajyaguru to cure illness, in times of famine, drought and plague, and to grant longevity.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva - "Guan Yin Pu Sa"
Guan Yin Pu Sa is the bodhisattva of compassion, or commonly known as the Goddess of Mercy. Guan Yin is short for Guan Shi Yin, which translates to mean observing sounds of the world. Guan Yin is believed to appear anywhere to help all beings in danger and distress upon calling her name three or more times.
Guan Yin bodhisattva uses kindness, compassion, joy and giving to save all beings from the seven difficulties; and has thirty three response bodies.
Guan Yin can take the form of any type of male or female, adult or child, human or non-human in order to teach the Dharma to sentient beings.
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva - "Di Zang Wang Pu Sa"
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Di Zang Wang), or God of the Earth Treasure, also known as the great vow Bodhisattva because of his vow to save all souls from suffering and not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.
He also gives blessings to those who seek his help and he is a comforter of the poor, oppressed, sick, hungry and those who are troubled by spirits and nightmares. He is also regarded as the bodhisattva of hell-beings.
Maitreya Buddha - "Mi Lo Fo"
In Chinese Buddhism, Maitreya Buddha is known as Happy Buddha, Laughing Buddha, Lucky Buddha and the God of Wealth.
He is believed to bring happiness, hope and brightness to mankind.
His beam of smiles and his long ear lobes represent his endless love to human beings. Among his personality traits are being the best listener, never being angry or upset with anyone, and will forgive anyone and everyone.
In Mahayana Buddhism, he is known as Ajita, and he is regarded as the Buddha of the Future.
Skanda Bodhisattva - Wei To Pu Sa
Wei To is often thought of as the "Entry Guardian" at all temples. Some of his titles are Protector of the Buddhist Faith, Protector of Monasteries and Protector of Dharma Books.
His sanskrit name is Skanda.
Wei To is the General-in-Chief of the thirty-two heavenly generals. Quite often his image can be found in small shrines at corners of roads to give protection against evil.
Sangharama Bodhisattva - Qie Lan Pu Sa or Guan Di
Guan Di is the Protector of Buddhism. He is also known as Guan Gong (Lord Guan) and his name while alive was Guan Yu. The "Di" in Guan Di translates to mean Emperor.
Guan Di lived during the latter period of the Han Dynasty and was a great and famous general. It was not only his strength that made him a legend but his principles and righteousness. There are many legendary stories about Guan Di.
Guan Di is also worshipped as the God of War, and the God of Chivalry and Prosperity. He is also regarded as the Guardian of the Brave, Loyal and Righteous.
The Eighteen Arhats
The Eighteen Arhats, or Eighteen Luohans, are the original followers of Sakyamuni Buddha (Gautama) who have followed the Noble Eightfold Path and attained enlightenment. They have reached the stage of Nirvana and are free of worldly cravings.
They are charged with protecting the Buddhist faith and to wait for the arrival on Earth of Maitreya, the Buddha of the future.
At our temple, the Eighteen Arhats sit along the side walls, nine on each side.