David Coleman (Banks, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was very pleased to represent the Prime Minister at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Nan Tien Temple, near Wollongong, on Sunday. For two decades the Nan Tien Temple has played an integral role in the lives of thousands of Australian Buddhists. It was great to see over 1,000 people attend the event and celebrate the success of the temple and of the Buddha's Light International Association. As well as its religious significance, the temple contributes to regional and state tourism, welcoming more than 100,000 visitors annually with its unique architecture, cultural events and educational programs.

The temple and the broader Buddhist community contribute very generously to the community right across New South Wales. For example, the BLIA organises singing groups to visit elderly residents in nursing homes and also raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Blue Mountains bushfire appeal late last year. An important initiative of the temple is the new campus being developed at the Nan Tien educational institute. This new campus will open in March next year and I very much look forward to attending.

I would like to congratulate the community and its key members: Deputy Abbot Ven. Hui Feng, Ven. Abbess Man Ko, Professor Grier Lin, the president of Nan Tien Institute, and Mr Francis Wong, president of the BLIA. I look forward to working with the Nan Tien Institute further in the future.