Gold Coast Dharma Realm
A brief history of GCDR
The relationship between the founder of the Dharma Buddhist Association, Venerable Master Hsuan Hua, and the Australian branch (GCDR) dates back to 1961. During his stay in Australia in 1961, the Master propagated seeds for Buddhism. The seeds that Verenable Master Hua had planted ripened decades later.
With the help of a senior disciple of Venerable Master Hua, Rosaline Kang, she vowed to help Venerable Master Hua propagate Dharma in the West. Rosaline acquired a 22-acre plot of land in 1991. She overcame all of the challenges and hardships by placing her faith in Guan Yin Bodhisattva and with the assistance and kind support of her friends and fellow Buddhists.
Many years later, with her diligent and thrifty efforts, she built GCDR facilities one by one. Then, in 2008, Master Heng Chih travelled to the Gold Coast from the US with the intention of carrying on the work of Venerable Master Hsuan Hua by introducing Mahayana Chinese Buddhism to the West. As well, as following Venerable Master Hsuan Hua’s footsteps.
Because of the interaction between causes and conditions, everything exists. This also applies to the dharma. Causes and circumstances create the chance for the creation of Buddhist temples that spread the Dharma as the Bodhi seeds of the people living in Australia ripen. The Gold Coast Dharma Realm monastery rose in reaction to this ripening.
From Rosaline Kang
I visit Australia often and realised that there is a shortage of monasteries in the Mahayana Chinese tradition. In my resolve to help the master realise his vision, I started my search for a suitable piece of land. In 1991, I found a 53-acre piece of land. However, after we submitted a plan to the Gold Coast City Council, the restrictive conditions they set made it unfeasible to develop this plot of land as a monastery. I set forth to look for an alternative site and found the present 22-acre lot in 1996. Within four months, we were able to purchase the land, apply to the council for rezoning, and obtain approval from the City Council. Building plans and environmental reports were subsequently submitted and approved.
In the months following the proposal, South-east Asia was hit by a severe economic crisis towards the end of 1997. My stocks and shares were badly affected by the crash of the stock and property markets, and almost overnight, my personal nett worth was reduced to about ten percent of its pre-crash value. This financial crisis was a severe ordeal for me, and I was extremely worried that I might not fulfil my vow of building the monastery.
Despite this setback, I remained focused and drew strength by praying earnestly to Guanyin Bodhisattva.
I sold the various properties that I had in Australia, and together with the help and generous support of friends and fellow Buddhists, we continued to work towards the Master’s vision. The original plan was scaled down, and building began. I am now pleased to report that we have made a modest start with the completion of the basic facilities and amenities. Since April this year, we have had nuns and monks from CTTB visit the place to give Dharma lectures. These lectures were attended and well-received by both locals and well-wishers from Singapore and Malaysia.
In July this year, with the visit of Reverend Heng Tso and Reverend Heng Yuen, I handed over the monastery to DRBA without any conditions, and I am sure that the place will scale new heights in times to come.
Since I met the Master in 1978, his expedient teaching and guidance have influenced me to change my ways and lifestyle for the better. I have also learned the higher values of life in this material world. I sincerely hope that by establishing this branch of CTTB in Australia, many people as well as sentient beings will hear the proper Dharma and be able to similarly change their values and lifestyle. I wish for them to experience the benefits of the Master’s teachings, without which I would still be lost in this samsaric ocean.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all my friends who supported me during the trials and tribulations that I experienced while pursuing the fulfilment of my vows. In particular, I am grateful to Reverend Heng Sure for his advice and words of encouragement. Finally, I would also like to say that I am, and will always be grateful to the Buddhas, the Bodhisattvas, and the Venerable Master for showing me the way. Amitabha!
Presently
Gold Coast Dharma Realm is located in the Gold Coast Hinterland, Queensland, Australia. The Gold Coast offers beautiful, sunny weather most of the year, clean, fresh air, abundant wildlife, and harmonious coexistence with humans. Dharma Master Jin Fu is now the manager of GCDR.
GCDR adheres to Shakyamuni Buddha’s teachings. We follow the “Five Schools” of the Mahayana, which include: precepts and moral rules, called the Vinaya School; meditation, called the Chan School; studying dharma teachings, called the Scholastic School; mantras, called the Esoteric, or “Secret School”, and chanting the Buddha’s name, called the Pure Land School.
We also strive to engage in the education, sutra translation, Dharma propagation, and religious unity that Venerable Master Hua was dedicated to. GCDR is also home to Shurangama Monastery in peaceful surroundings, which provides a space for Buddhist education and spiritual practise. Visitors are welcome to join us for sutra/mantra recitation/chanting sessions and meditation classes every Saturday.
“There aren’t any problems that can’t be solved in Buddhism.”
Venerable Master Hsuan Hua
