Zhu-Lin Temple is located in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, approximately 10 km from the city centre, occupying an area of about 4 hectares.
The temple, founded in 1986, is a Buddhist temple and serves as the headquarters of the South Australian Buddhist Association. It features traditional Chinese-style gates and a majestic Mahavira Hall, while a pagoda in the monastery's backyard is currently under construction. Buddhist believers come here to burn incense and pay their respects, and every Sunday morning, Zhu-Lin temple offers free Chinese classes and Tai Chi lessons for the community's children.
Since its establishment, with the guidance of the venerable monks, Zhu-Lin Temple has been hosting weekly group meditation sessions, Buddhist teachings, and regular celebrations like Wesak Festival and birthday gatherings, providing a spiritual haven for overseas Chinese. During the Chinese New Year, the temple holds a grand New Year's blessing ceremony, attracting South Australian Chinese, local government officials, and people from all walks of life to come together and enjoy the traditional Chinese festive atmosphere. These diverse activities have had a profound impact on the South Australian Chinese community and the broader local society.
In late 2009, in cooperation with the Australian and Chinese governments, when the giant pandas from China visited Australia for the first time, Zhu-Lin Temple was invited to hold a blessing ceremony for the pandas. The South Australian Dragon Boat races have repeatedly invited Zhu-Lin Temple to bless their opening ceremonies. Additionally, the monastery has established various subgroups, including children's schools, youth groups, and welfare teams.
Today, after more than two decades of ups and downs, with the blessings of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, the diligent efforts of the venerable monks, and the strong support of devoted followers, Zhu-Lin Temple continues to provide religious services to the Australian public. It plays an active role in purifying hearts, promoting social harmony, and contributing to world peace as a Buddhist spiritual center.
History
High in the sky, with boundless clouds and the sound of Dharma, amid the emerald bamboo grove, the Dharma rain purifies the dusty hearts." Zhu-Lin Temple, located in the northwest of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, was founded in 1986. It originally started as a temporary Buddhist hall in a backyard shed behind the home of a devout lay follower named Lin Sai-Jin, where regular Buddhist activities commenced. In this humble makeshift hall, regardless of harsh winter winds or scorching summer heat, the devout faith of people gathered together. On September 19th of that lunar year, the first Dharma ceremony was successfully held on the auspicious occasion of the birth of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.
As more and more people joined, the small house could no longer accommodate the growing congregation. In 1989, with contributions from the faithful, a small house was purchased in Athol Park, and the temporary Buddhist hall was relocated there. It was at this point that the Buddhist hall was officially named "South Australia Buddhist Zhu-Lin Temple." The melodic sounds of Dharma instruments and chanting brought inner peace and liberation to the followers, but it also raised concerns among neighbors. To ensure undisturbed practice while maintaining harmonious relations with the community, all Dharma activities were moved to a rented hall across the street.
To address the inconveniences caused by this mobile Buddhist hall, a year later, the congregation entrusted local resident Peter Engelhardt to find a suitable piece of land in Ottway, in the northwest area of Adelaide. This location was serene, surrounded by fresh air, and inhabited by predominantly Chinese Buddhist residents. Despite the limited economic resources of the Chinese community at the time, everyone eagerly contributed time and money to purchase this spacious 4,000 square meter land.
In 1991, Ven. Zang Hui from Sydney presided over the groundbreaking ceremony at the new location of Zhu-Lin Temple. The ceremony was attended by the Governor and the Mayor of Adelaide.
In 1992, the construction of the temple was overseen by Mr. Ha Quac-Long. Initially, the architectural plans for Zhu-Lin Temple were drawn by Australian engineer Paul Engelhardt, who had limited knowledge of Eastern culture, resulting in a design that was entirely Western in style. Mr. Ha Quac-Long flexibly modified the design during construction, transforming the flat roof into a slightly sloped, flowing style, with the roof corners gently curving upwards. This ingenious modification successfully captured the essence and grandeur of Eastern architecture in the newly completed temple.
In early 1994, Ven. Yong Xing and four other monks from Hong Kong presided over the consecration ceremony of the monastery. At this moment, a magnificent Buddhist sanctuary stood proudly under the clear skies of Adelaide, Australia."
In 1993, the first committee of Zhu-Lin Temple extended an invitation to Ven. Shi Changmin from Hong Kong to serve as the spiritual guide, a position he held until 1994. At that time, Zhu-Lin Temple was still under construction.
By the end of 1994, Ven. Shi Jiming was invited from Sydney's Dharma House to assume the role of the abbot. During his visit to China for further studies, Ven. Shi Jiming coincidentally met Ven. Shi Jiewen, and upon their sincere connection, he earnestly invited Ven. Shi Jiewen to Australia. Consequently, in 1997, Ven. Shi Jiewen became another spiritual guide for Zhu-Lin Monastery. In 1999, Ven. Shi Jiming returned to Sydney, and the significant responsibility of leading Zhu-Lin Temple fell upon the young Ven. Shi Jiewen.
Ven. Shi Jiewen hails from Fuding, Fujian, and he embarked on his monastic path with a pure heart and sharp intellect. He received full ordination in 1989 at Guanghua Monastery and pursued his studies at the Chinese Buddhist Academy and Fujian Buddhist Academy. After graduating, he served as the abbot of Wan Shou Monastery, a branch of the Linji Zen lineage in the ancestral homeland of Huangbo Mountain. Ven. Shi Jiewen is known for his compassionate nature, calm disposition, humor, and eloquence. Wherever he goes, he garners the love and respect of the faithful. In response to repeated requests from the congregation, Ven. Shi Jiewen agreed to assume the role of abbot of Zhu-Lin Temple on November 21, 2004, to the joy and unanimous approval of all.
Previous Abbots
Blessing Ceremonies
Under the guidance of venerable monks and past committees, ZhuLin Temple
holds multiple Buddhist and Bodhisattva blessing ceremonies every year. These include important occasions such as the 7th lunar month, repentance rituals, and almsgiving prayers.
In order to nurture the spiritual growth of its followers, Zhu-Lin Temple regularly conducts the Eight Precepts retreats every year, with fixed group meditation sessions and Buddhist lectures every weekend. In addition to the resident monks of the monastery giving regular teachings, Ven. Shi Zhengyun, the abbot of Dharma House in Sydney, also frequently resides at Zhu-Lin Temple to impart teachings to the congregation. The monastery also extends invitations to monks from mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, and other places to deliver sutra lectures and teachings. They have organized numerous Buddhist summer and autumn camps, as well as pilgrimages to Buddhist holy sites in mainland China, India, and other places. These journeys allow the congregation to broaden their horizons, deepen their knowledge of Buddhism, and strengthen their faith while visiting ancient temples, experiencing natural and cultural beauty.
"During festivals, thoughts of family are even stronger," and in accordance with this saying, Zhu-Lin Temple organizes spectacular cultural performances and chanting and prayer activities during significant traditional festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chinese New Year. These events are offered free of charge to the public, and various members of the community, including the Governor of South Australia, government officials, members of the Port Adelaide community, and the South Australia Chinese Associations, are invited to attend. These activities not only allow the broader Chinese community to experience a taste of their homeland in a foreign land but also promote cultural exchanges among various ethnic groups.
Whenever significant disasters occur around the world, Zhu-Lin Temple invites monks to preside over large-scale disaster relief ceremonies, dedicating merit to all sentient beings who lost their lives in the disasters and praying for peace and safety in the current world. They also launch fundraising campaigns for disaster relief efforts. In the face of past disasters such as floods in China, conflicts in the Middle East, earthquakes in Taiwan, and the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhu-Lin Temple has generously extended its helping hand, spreading compassion to all corners of the world and sharing the teachings of Buddhism far and wide. In addition, the welfare team divides the city of Adelaide into four districts and regularly visits elderly individuals in their homes and in hospitals.
Dharma Mission
Buddhism is a religion that transcends self-interest, and its spirit of compassion is manifested in the salvation of all sentient beings.
Zhu-Lin Temple, in line with the compassionate spirit of the Buddha, has consistently been actively contributing to society. It advocates for the equality of all sentient beings, believing that all beings can attain enlightenment. Through cultivating positive connections and karmic affinities, the monastery aims to share the joy of the Dharma with the people of South Australia and individuals from around the world. This sharing of the nectar of Buddhist wisdom promotes purity of mind and body, reduces societal issues such as suicide, drug addiction, and racial discrimination, and thereby purifies society. It also fosters multicultural exchange, contributing to the creation of a harmonious society.
Zhu-Lin Temple is willing to work hand in hand with you to let the compassionate light of the Three Jewels illuminate the world and nourish all beings. May the "Bamboo Grove" where the Buddha preached the Dharma in his time take root, grow, and flourish on the soil of Australia.