Quang Minh Temple is a centre for the Vietnamese Buddhist community in Victoria, as well as the office of the United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Victoria. The Temple is situated about twelve kilometres west of Melbourne’s CBD, overlooking the gentle Maribyrnong River.
History of Quang Minh Temple
The history of Quang Minh Temple and Vietnamese Buddhism in Victoria can be traced back to 1980 when the first Vietnamese monk, Venerable Thích Tắc Phước, now known as The Most Venerable Thich Phước Huệ, arrived in Australia. Together with a small group of Vietnamese Buddhist, he established what is now known as the United Vietnamese Buddhist Congregation of Victoria. After Venerable Thich Huyen Ton arrived in Melbourne in 1981, the Melbourne Vietnamese Buddhist Community rented a property at 17 Hoddle Street, Richmond to establish a temporary centre for the Melbourne Vietnamese community. Within the same year, a property at 8 Prince Street, Footscray, was purchased. The name of the Temple at the time, given by Venerable Thích Huyền Tôn, was Đại Bi Quan Âm Temple.
Venerable Thích Huyền Tôn left Đai Bi Quan Âm Temple in 1985 and Venerable Thích Phước Nhơn replaced him as the new abbot. The Temple was then moved to 112 Pilgrim Street, Footscray, and its name shortened to Quan Âm Temple. In 1986, the Temple again relocated to Morris Street, Sunshine. After consultation with The Most Venerable Thích Phước Huệ and members of the Melbourne Vietnamese Buddhist community, the name of the Temple changed to Quang Minh, which means ‘bright light’. Quang Minh Temple finally moved to its current site on Burke Street in 1989 and the main hall was built in 1994.
Since its inception, a succession of abbots has been appointed to lead Quang Minh Temple’s congregation. These include Venerable Thích Phước Hựu, Venerable Thích Tâm Phương, Venerable Thích Nguyên Lưu, Venerable Thích Như Định and Venerable Thích Minh Trí. On Vesak Day in May 1997, Venerable Thich Phước Tấn was officially appointed as the abbot of Quang Minh Temple.
Current Developments at Quang Minh Temple
In the next five years, Quang Minh Temple will emerge as one of the most significant Buddhist institutes in Australia, with plans for a new shrine, meditation huts and a Community Services Centre with additional training facilities. The fundamental aims of Buddhism are to encourage people to live in peace and harmony by providing essential cultural, social and educational services to the community at large.
Quang Minh Temple is currently engaged in a major project i.e. constructing a new Temple, Community Services Centre and Stupa on the site at 18 Burke Street Braybrook.
This new Temple will cost in the vicinity of $10 million dollars. Construction began in April 2006 and will be completed by December 2009. The new structure will have three levels; one level will be completely dedicated as a ‘Community Services Centre’ with updated interview and training facilities incorporated in the internal layout of the building.
By providing dedicated areas/levels within the new Community Services Centre, we will be able to expand the delivery, range and quality of the services we provide, including increasing access to quality facilities to various agencies to provide additional outreach services on site.
The Buddhist community at Quang Minh Temple over the past 5 years has been delivering a number of community services from Braybrook in partnership with various agencies. These services include: Work for the Dole program; drug and alcohol counselling; health and education programs; and accredited training courses including aged care and youth services. The current buildings from which these services are delivered have become overcrowded, limiting the expansion and range of services provided.
As part of the new development, we at the Temple are keen to ensure that the services we offer reflect the needs of the community. It is our intention, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the region, to integrate programs in the community that reflect the most urgent, and in some cases, the long term needs of the community.
Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 14:21