佛光山南華寺
Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple
“ Whoever has health has good fortune.
Whoever has merit has life.
Whoever is content has wealth and nobility.
Whoever is at ease is carefree.
When you work hard, don’t worry about success or failure.
When you have done your best, don’t worry if you have failed. ”
── from The Everlasting Light
“ Good fortune always looks with favor upon the brave.
Blessings always come to the honest and the kind.
Those who are capable benefit others everywhere.
Those who are incapable make it difficult for others everywhere. ”
── from Humble Table, Wise Fare
“ Like a mirror, reflect upon ourselves.
Like a briefcase, pick up and let go with ease.
Like a notebook, record all our successes and failures.
Like a candle, brighten up others’ lives.
Like a clock, keep track of and cherish every moment. ”
── from The Carefree Life
In 1992, the Bronkhorstspruit City Council donated 6 hectares of land to the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order to be developed into a Chinese Buddhist, Cultural, and Educational Complex. Ven. Master Hsing Yun sent one of his long-time disciples, Ven. Master Hui Li, to build the Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit, to attain these goals and promote Buddhism on the African continent.Since then, the Nan Hua Temple Guesthouse, African Buddhist Seminary (ABS), Nan Hua Village, Assembly Hall , Zen Retreat Centre have been completed and are continuously being upgraded.
The Main Temple (yellow roof), which will be the ordination hall for African monks, was completed in 2005.
Our Buddhist community of resident monks and nuns, staff and lay people, both Chinese and non-Chinese, as well as the Buddhist Seminary novices help in a variety of religious, cultural, community and charitable activities. We also cultivate nearby farms. Nan Hua Temple has opened branches in other South African cities.
Venerable Master Hsing Yun began his communications with the management team of Bronkhorstspruit City Council in 1991. Their Chief Executive, Dr. Hennie Senekal, was visiting Taiwan
promoting Bronkhorstspruit investment opportunities. Venerable Master Hsing Yun shared with Dr. Senekal his dream to build a Temple in Africa. A Temple and guesthouse in this area would also attract tourists and other business ventures. The natural beauty, room for growth and industries, available skilled labour, excellent infrastructure and its proximity to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Witbank and the Johannesburg International Airport were the deciding factors for choosing Bronkhorstspruit.After the meeting in 1991 planning started, and when design work was put onto paper and fundraising began. The dream started becoming reality. Both parties signed a contract in Taiwan on 8 March 1992, whereupon Bronkhorstspruit donated 14 hectares of land. Construction began in October 1992.
95% of the construction materials come from local sources in South Africa, including the Chinese style concrete castings of the first floor balcony handrail, which where made in Pretoria. The red wooden furniture, glazed clay roof tiles and ornaments were imported from Taiwan. The granite, stone, red clay and bronze ornaments, including the large bronze bell, came from China. Taiwanese artists executed the wall paintings on site.
Since October 1993, we first erected a temporary office and temple. Then we built a Buddhist Seminary with classrooms and accommodation for about 150. Next we built the guesthouse, including adjacent garages, parking lots and lawns.
History
