Religious Services for 2008

The Hwa Tsang Monastery conducts a variety of daily, weekly, monthly, and annual Buddhist services that are open to all members and the general public. 

As the monastery is situated within a residential area, with limited parking, we encourage devotees to come by train wherever possible. Train services are quite frequent; 
                   Flemington Station is a 10 minutes walk.
                   Homebush Station is a 15 minutes walk. 
                   Strathfield Station is a 30 minutes walk.

When coming to the monastery, devotees are requested to avoid any behaviour that could disturb our neighbours. Devotees are not permitted to smoke within the monastery compound. Shoes should be removed before entering the main hall or library wing. 

Daily Services 

The Sangha and monastery members conduct daily morning meditation and chanting services from 5am to 6.30am. Generally this would include chanting the "Discourse of the Teaching Bequeathed by the Buddha." As the monastery gates are locked at this time, attendance can only be made with prior arrangement.

Evening chanting services are conducted from 7pm to 7.45pm. These services are open to the public.

Regular Weekly Services

Saturday mornings 9.45am - 11.15am
Meditation and English Dharma Talk

Saturday evenings 7.00pm - 9.15pm
Amitabha Practice Together Session.
This includes the chanting of the Amitabha Sutra and verses, Meditation and Dharma talk in Mandarin, translated to Cantonese, and translated to English if required.

Sunday evenings 7.00pm - 8.30pm
Kuan Yin Practice Together Session
This includes the chanting of the Heart Sutra, and the verses of Kuan Yin Bodhisattva, meditation and Dharma talk in Mandarin, translated to English.

Sunday afternoons 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Buddhism Translation Class

Lunar Calendar Services - 2008

Except where noted, the following services are held on Sundays, starting at 9am and finishing at 12 noon. Devotees are requested to arrive at the monastery by 8.45am. These services are conducted in Chinese (Mandarin), and involve chanting of the Amitahba Sutras, and prostrations (bowing). 

13th Jan - 8.30am - 12 noon - Enlightenment of Sakyamuni Buddha & Members' Birthday (12th Lunar Month)

7th Feb - 8.30am - 12 noon - Service Ceremony for Chinese New Year (Prostrating to 10,000 Buddhas) 

16th Feb - 8.30am - 12 noon -  Birthday of Maitreya Buddha and Members' Birthday (1st Lunar Month)

9th Mar - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Renunciation of Sakyamuni Buddha & Members' Birthday (2nd Lunar Month)

23rd Mar - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Birthday of Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara) Bodhisattva.

6th Apr - 8.30am - 12 noon - Qing Ming Memorial Service and Members' Birthday (3rd Lunar Month)

11th May - 8.30am - 12 noon - Vesak Celebrations and Members' Birthday (4th Lunar Month)

8th Jun - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (5th Lunar Month)

6th Jul - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (6th Lunar Month)

20th Jul - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Enlightenment of Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara) Bodhisattva

3rd Aug - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (7th Lunar Month)

24th Aug - 8.30am - 4.30pm - The Birthday of Earth Store (Ksitigarbha) Bodhisattva

31st Aug - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (8th Lunar Month)

5th Oct - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (9th Lunar Month)

12th Oct - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Renunciation of Kuan Yin (Avalokitesvara) Bodhisattva, and Taking the Three Refuges

26th Oct - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Birthday of the Buddha of Healing

2nd Nov - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (10th Lunar Month)

30th Nov - 9.00am - 12 noon - Birthday Service for Members (11th Lunar Month)

14th Dec - 8.30am - 12 noon - The Birthday of Amitabha Buddha