Promoting Buddhism in Africa – Nan Hua Temple

Nan Hua Temple is one of the biggest Buddhist temples and seminaries in Africa. It is located in Cultura Park in Bronkhorstspruit. This African headoffice of the Fo Guang Shan Order covers more than 600 acres of area. Venerable Master Hsing Yun had established Fo Guang Shan in the year 1967. It is a Mahayana Chinese Buddhism order and follows the rules of Pure Land School and Linji Chan.

The roots of the temple dates back to 8 March 1992, when Dr Hennie Senekal, former church minister and the chief executive of Bronkhorstspruit City Council visited Taiwan for promoting investment prospects in the town. Almost six hectares were donated to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order for building an educational complex and Chinese Buddhist cultural. Later, Fo Guang Shan Religious Affairs Committee had asked Venerable Hui Li to establish a temple with the main aim of promoting Buddhism in Africa. The construction of the temple started in October 1992. The estimated expenditure of construction of entire complex was almost 60 million African Rand.

Following the temple, the Nan Hua Temple Guesthouse, Nan Hua Village, a Pureland Ch’an retreat centre, African Buddhist Seminary (ABS) and Assembly Hall were constructed. Later, various branches of Nan Hua Temple were opened in various other cities in South Africa such as Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Newcastle. The temple committee actively participates in charity, community, prison outreach and cultural programs. The popularity of the temple has increased by leaps and bounds across the world. It is located at an hour’s drive from the African city of Johannesburg.

Officially the Nan Hua Temple was opened in the year 2005 by Most Venerable Hsin Pei, the current and seventh global head abbot.

The temple complex includes a professional Pureland meditation retreat centre, which is situated almost two kilometers away from the temple. Entrance to this centre is open to everyone and is not discriminated on the basis of nationality, religion, sex, etc. The centre has a monastic residence, a big meditation hall, as well as residences for all meditation practitioners.

A visit to Nan Hua temple is an aesthetic treat. The huge front gates, attractive buildings and the ornamented steps to the temple are very impressive. During special occasions such as birthday of Lord Buddha the grounds are decorated. The large statues of Buddha and elaborate architecture are similar to the typical Buddhist temples.

Bronkhorstspruit was developed as an important railway station between Gauteng and Mpumalanga. It was one of the first serious clashes in the First Boer War, which took place in the year 1880. Today, the Bronkhorstspruit dam is a major tourist attraction. Thick grass borders the banks of the dam and acts as great cover for bass waiting to hunt their prey.