Zen Twist :              
      Happiness is goodwill in this world,   
And restraint towards all living beings. 
Happiness is non-attachment, passing  
beyond sense desires, and the     
suppression of conceit.            
                                             
       
   

Talks by Buddhist Monks 
Daily life and dependent origination
Venerable Dr Sayadaw U Zagarabhivamsa    1,200 words - 99 kb

More talks ...

Dharma and Meditation Activities

The Saturday Dharma and Guided Meditation Classes are from 9:45 am - 11:15 am.

Email : Venerable Neng Rong

University Buddhist Talks & Activities

The regular University of NSW (UNIBUDS) talks during Semester.

Right Understanding
The central core of every being is not an unchanging soul but a life current, an ever-changing stream of energy which is never the same for two consecutive seconds. The self, considered as an eternal soul, is a delusion, and when regarded from the ultimate standpoint, it has no reality. In this delusion of selfhood, our suffering thrives and grows...   This talk will be given in Mandarin. If you do not speak Chinese or Mandarin, please ask Pei-Ru to sit you next to somebody who can translate the talk for you.

Speaker: Venerable Neng Rong
Date : 6pm - 8pm Thursday 17th May 2012
Venue : Law Building Room 301 (Level 3)
University OF NSW, Anzac Parade, Kensington
UNIBUDS Host : Pei-Ru (0430 604 058)
Email : katesee36@gmail.com

   The Nothingness - Empty of A Separate Self  
We spend our lives searching for security, physical comfort, and status symbols appropriate to our position. But someday when we die we will lose all our possessions, our power, our family, everything. Our freedom, peace and joy in the present moment is the most important thing we have. But without an awakened understanding of impermanence can we be happy ? Some people do not even want to look at a person when they are alive, but when they die, they write eloquent obituaries and make offerings of flowers...  What will you do ? Why not join us for this week's English Dhamma Talk and find out ?

Speaker: John Barclay
Date : 7pm - 9pm Friday 18th May 2012
Venue : Law Building Room 163 (Level 1)
University OF NSW, Anzac Parade, Kensington
UNIBUDS Host : Kendrick (0416 314 908)
Email : ken.lawer@gmail.com

Read more about the monastery's university lectures program ...

Sutra Translation Classes

Classes are on Sundays, from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. The current project is Translations of Miao Yun Volumes 8. 

Want to help by translating Chinese to English, or editing the English transcripts ? Email : Venerable Neng Rong

Chanting Services
Main Hall - 29 Mackenzie Street, Homebush

Publications
Venerable Yin Shun ;

Email your request for a particular volume or copy

More publications ...

Buddhist Music

Music has always been an integral part of all religions, and Buddhism is no exception. Music allows us to rediscover our inner self. Our minds can be excited, angered, saddened, or settled with music, without one word being spoken. 

Music and sounds can reveal the complex, yet simple beauty of nature. Some Buddhist music may stimulate a new focus on  patience, love, compassion, tolerance or joyfulness. Some Zen Buddhist music, using the Shakuhachi flute, is fabulous in conveying the Buddha's themes of calmness, serenity,  emptiness, and non-self.

We have attached the traditional "Song to the Triple Gem" played by Emma Wu on her Apple Mac ibook, using Garage Band software simulating the piano. This one minute song is sometimes played at the commencement of special Chinese Buddhist services. 

Song to the Triple Gem by Emma Wu.mp3  7.73MB

Your feedback on this song ?

What others said about this song.

Submit your own Buddhist music or song here !

Your song may be vocal, instrumental, pop, rap, jazz, or classical. Create it with your friends or family. Perhaps it may include the sound of crickets, or birds. Be as contemporary, and as creative as you like ! 

Whatever the final result, we ask that you also write a short paragraph with the music, explaining its relevance to Buddhism, if this is not already explained in the lyrics or sounds. It should not be longer than 5 minutes. You must confirm to us that any music file you submit, is your own creation, and not copied from anyone else.  Try to keep the music file as small as possible, otherwise people on dial-up internet access, will have trouble playing it. If we publish it on this website, you will be acknowledged as the author, and you will retain any copyright.  Also, a  small gift will be sent to musicians for any published songs or tunes on this site. 

Angelina created this picture of the Buddha at the YBS Children's Retreat held on the 14th April.

Children’s Sunday Bodhi Class

Would you like to introduce your child to Buddhist morals, philosophy, practice, and etiquette? Our next Children's Sunday Bodhi Classes for children from kindergarten to Year 6 will be this Sunday 13th May 2012, 9:30am - 11:00am.  These classes  introduce your child to the Buddha's teachings, and guide them on their journey to developing Buddhist values and practices.

Children's Bodhi Classes Application Form pdf    64 kb

2012_Bodhi_Class_Pamphlet.pdf  Including dates 421 kb

2012_Bodhi_Class_Pamphlet.pdf  Chinese version with dates 574 kb

Young Bodhisattva Society

         Email the YBS President : James Lu 

       Bi-Monthly Bulletin
   
HTM Bulletin for April 2012, with both Chinese & English sections; pdf file  68 pages & 1.64 MB 

More bulletins ...

The Monastery runs a 180 student Tuition Class, started by Venerable Tsang Hui in 1979, to help migrant and refugee high-school children overcome their language and economic disadvantages. Students are admitted to the classes on a first-come, first-served policy, regardless of ethnic background or religion. These classes are conducted after school hours, with the kind permission of, and at Homebush Boys' High School.  Read more ...

The HTM Board Of Education sets the policies and guidelines for the operation of the Tuition Classes. This includes how students should be admitted, which volunteer teachers should be selected, as well as teaching guidelines. The syllabus for all classes is based on those set by the NSW Department of Education. The Tuition Class Chairman's Report for 2008 is available. Read more ....

2012 Term 1 Tuition Class Timetable  

Calendar for 2012 with enrolment and other important dates.

Student Assignments

Tuition Class Absence Note.pdf   83 kb

The 2012 YF Exco Committee and Annual Magazine members are ...

Email the Tuition Class Co-Ordinator : Venerable Neng Rong

To view the documents you may need Acrobat Reader®

Tuition Class Community Volunteering Activities 

Bushcare Dates for 2012: 
Year 10 Saturday 11 February Dean Reserve
Year 11 Saturday 10 March Ismay Reserve
Year 8 Saturday 14 April Raingardens Greenacre
Year 7 Saturday 26 May Drew St Raingardens
Year 9 Saturday 30 June Mason Park Wetlands
Year 11 Sunday 29 July National Tree Day
Year 8 Saturday 15 September Mason Park Wetlands
Year 9 Saturday 13 October Maria Reserve
Year 7 Saturday 17 November Yarrowee Wetlands
Year 10 Saturday 8 December Dean Reserve

   Read more ...

Mason Park Wetlands in North Strathfield

 

 

 

 

Religious Studies and School SRE
The Hwa Tsang Monastery has been accredited to provide Special Religious Education (SRE) to Primary and High Schools for the NSW Education Department since 1997. Currently we provide SRE teaching to ten public schools in Sydney. The monastery also regularly hosts student groups, visiting from other public and private schools, wishing to broaden their understanding of the different world religions. Read more ...

Children’s Pictures

Hey kids, like to win a prize, and see your artwork on this website ? All you need to do, is draw a picture of the Buddha celebrating Vesak Day in Australia. What does he do during this time ? Well, we leave that up to you ! Perhaps he might be playing with his best friends, Ananda and Sariputra ? Your picture should be drawn by hand, not by computer. 

We have some small prizes to send to our best three young artists. You must be under 10 years of age, and your parents must send us their approval to display your artwork with your name on this website. You can either scan your picture and email us, or post your artwork to us.

Tell us if you want your artwork returned. Don't forget to write down your full home address, so we know where to send any prizes. The winners and their work, will be featured on this site during 2012.

In the meantime, we'd like to congratulate Leanne from the Tuition Buddhism class for the pictures below. We asked her to imagine herself when she gets bigger. How will she look when she is as old as her own lovely grandma ? Well that's her on the left ! Who will support her when she is becoming frail ? Well we hope her brother will support her, perhaps some nurses, and of course, many of her awesome friends ! 

Email your picture to the Children's-Co-ordinator

Or send to :

HTM Website - Children's Art Competition
Hwa Tsang Monastery Inc. 
29 MacKenzie Street, HOMEBUSH
NSW 2140 AUSTRALIA

Monastery Working Bee
29 Mackenzie Street, Homebush     

Like to help us keep the monastery gardens and grounds ship-shape, with some gardening, sweeping, and other small jobs ? Come along to the Working Bee held on the last Saturday of each month, between 1pm and 4pm. You will be happily received. It is not necessary to stay for the full three hours. 

References and FAQ
There are many references available to help you find out more about the Buddha's Teachings :  Check these links ...

Our Abbott

The idea for the Hwa Tsang Monastery arrived to Australia with Venerable Tsang Hui in 1977. Read more ...

How to visit us

Why don't you come and visit us, and listen to a Dharma talk about the Buddha's Teachings, and practice meditation ?  

See the maps ...

Our aims

Aims, activities, and theme of this website.  Read more ..

Become a member

Why not become a member of the monastery, and join more of our activities ? Then we can better encourage and support you, in your efforts to understand, and practise the Buddha's Teachings. Read more ..