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Our Abbess
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Venerable
Neng Rong
Venerable Neng Rong was born in Malaysia. She came to Australia during her final school years, and completed her HSC in 1983 at Sydney Girls' High School. While studying for her undergraduate course at the University of NSW, she became an early member of the on-campus Buddhist Society (UNIBUDS).
It was during these society activities, that she came to know Venerable Tsang Hui. Impressed by his Buddhist practice, and his deep knowledge of Buddhism, Venerable Neng Rong became inspired by the Buddha's teachings for its clarity, its ethics, and its compassion for all sentient beings.
Venerable Neng Rong then devoted all her non-study time at University,
in supporting Venerable Tsang Hui's endeavours to formally establish the Hwa Tsang Monastery at Homebush. With the help of
the solicitor, Mr Graham Brown, and some students, Venerable Neng Rong organised a petition campaign for the development application for the monastery. This was finally approved by the Land and Environmental Court in June 1989. Subsequently, the building application was also approved, and the construction of the current halls and building were completed in 1992. Venerable Neng Rong devoted an enormous amount of time and effort in co-ordinating supporters, legal advisors, architects and builders throughout this period.
Meanwhile Venerable Neng Rong's educational interests were of significant benefit to the Monastery. Venerable Tsang Hui had begun the Tuition Class many years earlier, and taught Mathematics to the students.
In 1987, with her assistance in administration, they were able to expand the Tuition Class to 15 teachers, with 180 students. At this time, the Tuition Classes had up to 45 students per class, with most students being refugee children from Indochina.
Venerable Neng Rong completed her Masters in Educational Administration at the UNSW in 1993. In 1994, Venerable Neng Rong made the decision to renounce, and to dedicate her life to the Buddha's Teachings. In 1995, Venerable Neng Rong received her ordination under Venerable Tsang Hui and was trained as a Buddhist nun at the Hong Shi Buddhist College in Taiwan. In 1996, she went to study at the Taiwan Chung Hwa Institute of Buddhist Studies. There she completed her Masters of Arts (Buddhist Studies) in 1999.
Since returning from Taiwan, Venerable Neng Rong has assisted in the running of the monastery, but has been particularly focussed on its educational endeavours. With Venerable Tsang Hui spending more time overseas, Venerable Neng Rong assumed responsibility for supporting the
Buddhist societies at the University of NSW, Sydney University, Macquarie University and UTS, by providing regular or occasional Buddhist talks
and services. She has encouraged and
supported these societies at every opportunity.
Venerable Neng Rong was instrumental in helping the monastery gain accreditation to the NSW Department of Education to provide Special Religious Education courses in 1997. This has allowed the monastery to provide SRE teachers to teach Buddhism at a number
of Primary and High schools around Sydney. She has also hosted many high school and primary school visits to the monastery, with introductions and explanations of Buddhism. Many of the senior student groups have been completing their Studies of
Religions course. Venerable Neng Rong believes these are very valuable and important activities of the monastery, as it gives young children the opportunity to have a greater perspective on their own existence, and the world around them.
Subsequently, Venerable Neng Rong has organised and trained teachers for these SRE classes, as well as taking the initiative to develop suitable Buddhist course material.
Venerable Neng Rong has overseen the translation and compilation of a number of important Mahayana texts, including "Introductory Buddhism Studies" by Venerable Miao Qin, "Selected Translations of Miao Yun" by Venerable Yin Shun, and "Dharma and the Daily Life" by Venerable Tsang Hui.
Besides continuing as one of the Directors of the Tuition Class, Venerable Neng Rong has also been the editor of the Monastery's Bi-Monthly Magazine for over 10 years. She has also helped guide the Monastery's Young Bodhisattva Society Youth Group for many years. Venerable Neng Rong continues to teach, guide and support university student groups from UNSW, Sydney University, Macquarie University and
the University of Technology.
Venerable Neng Rong is the Buddhist Chaplain for the University of NSW and the University of Sydney. She also acts on behalf of Venerable Tsang Hui as the Buddhist Chaplain at Macquarie University. Venerable Neng Rong provides support, advice, and counselling for Monastery devotees, the university Buddhist community, and the general community.
Like Venerable Tsang Hui, Venerable Neng Rong believes education is the key to helping people understand the great teachings provided by the Buddha. Buddhism tells us that everything in the world arises, due to causes and conditions. Nothing is permanent. During this process of change, we have the choice to cultivate the right conditions that can lead us to a better future.
Buddhists look upon the Buddha as a teacher. He is a teacher who realised the truth of life and phenomena in the world. He freed himself from greed, hatred and ignorance. He developed purity in his personal conduct, and had perfect wisdom and compassion. He shared his experiences with us. By putting effort into practising these teachings, we too can gradually develop a rational, calm and compassionate mind, purify our conduct, and end our suffering.
Venerable
Chun Wu
Administrator
: 2009
Venerable Chun Wu was Administrator for the
monastery, while the position of Abbot was vacant during 2009.
Venerable
Ban Ruo
Abbot
: 2005 - 2008
Venerable Ban Ruo was born in China. He began studying Buddhism when he was aged 7. Two years after graduating from China's Fujian Buddhist University, Venerable Tsang Hui invited
him to came to Australia in 1994, to join the Hwa Tsang Monastery.
Venerable Ban Ruo leads all daily and weekend religious services
at the monastery. He teaches meditation, provides counselling services, and conducts
funerals and blessings. He also gives lectures to University
Buddhist Groups on campus.
During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Venerable Ban Ruo was one
of the many volunteers supporting the Games. He worked at the
Religious Centre in the Athletes' Village, supporting the athletes.
In 2006, he was appointed as the first Buddhist Chaplain to the NSW
Police Force.
Venerable Tsang Hui
Founding Abbot
: 1985 - 2005
The idea for the Hwa Tsang Monastery arrived to Australia with Venerable Tsang Hui in 1977. But it was not until
1992, 13 years later, that the Hwa Tsang Monastery with Main Hall, library, and monks and nuns quarters was established at Homebush. So how did this idea for a modern Australian Buddhist Monastery come about ?
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Venerable Tsang Hui was born in Taiwan. His mother passed away when he was very young. He grew up under the care of foster parents. After junior secondary school, he went to Taipei to look for his father. His father was poor and the young venerable had to work to support his family.
At that time, he was uncertain about his future. He did not know what he wanted to be. Some years later, while mountain climbing, he came upon the Yuan Jue Monastery in Nei Hu province, Taipei. This majestic monastery, was surrounded by lakes and forests. The Venerables there worked with great mindfulness and harmony. He loved the environment there, and began to go there after work every day. About four months later, he asked the Master's permission to stay at the Monastery.
The Abbot of the monastery, Venerable Zeng Ding, accepted his request to stay at the monastery on the condition that he learned the Sutra on Compassion or
"Dai Bei Zhou". Venerable Tsang Hui memorized it in the first night. A little while later, at age 17, he took vows, and became a monk.
The life on the mountain was tough. As a monk, the Venerable did a lot of heavy, daily tasks. He had to carry the excretion, the water, and the rice, and had to dig for bamboo shoots. Although life was hard, the Venerable was determined to make full use of his time. He used to recite the Da Bei Zhou (The Kuan Yin Bodhisattva's Mantra of Great Compassion) one hundred and eight times per day.
He tried to read every day to improve his understanding of Buddhism. Four months after taking his vows, the Venerable attended the San Zang Buddhist College conducted by Venerable Bai Sheng. At the completion of this courses at San Zang, he went to Fu Yuan Vihara (Monastery), in Xin Zhu to study under Venerable Yin Shun.
About three years later, Venerable Tsang Hui was required to enlist for national service. He still wore his monks robes while in the army. Once during the national service, his intestines bled and he was in a coma for seven days and nights. He nearly died. However, it was not the right time for him to leave the world, and he finally recovered.
After national
service, and still a young monk, he felt he should equip himself
with a modern education. So he went back to complete his senior
secondary school. After graduating, he studied at the Normal
University of Taiwan. His majored in education and mathematics.
Venerable believes
that the Buddha was the greatest educator in the world. The Buddha
had been able to teach the Dharma [Buddha’s Teachings] to sentient
beings skillfully and he had led many to liberation. He knew the
different ways of teaching, and understood the problems that people
had. He knew how to encourage and help people.
We, the sentient
beings in the last era of the Sasana, are always wandering in the
dark. We are often unable to find the right direction for ourselves,
and waste a lot of our precious time. Venerable hoped that through
his Bachelor of Education, he would be more skilful in helping
people. In addition, he considered it important to study
Mathematics. The study of Buddhism requires a clear and analytical
mind. Mathematics provides the best training for logical reasoning.
After he graduated
from University, Venerable taught at Zhi Guang College. He was very
strict with the students, but at the same time he cared about them
very much. He always tried to set an example, and make himself the
bridge between the students and parents. He hoped that he could help
facilitate communication between the younger student generation, and
the older parents, and hence help to solve their problems. He gained
great respect and appreciation from many students and parents.
In 1977, Venerable
Tsang Hui left Taiwan and migrated to Australia. He hoped to improve
his English in a Western environment, but more importantly, to use
this skill to teach Buddhism to an audience, with little opportunity
to know the dharma.
On arriving to
Australia, he was initially appointed abbot of the Prajna Hall, in
Dixon Street Sydney. Venerable spent some time studying English. At
the same time, he tried his best to help the many war-refugees, that
had arrived to Australia from Indo-China, to overcome their
spiritual, and financial difficulties.
Some of these
refugees had come to Australia with little more than the clothes on
their back. They knew no English, and had very few skills by
Australian standards. But these migrants came to Australia with high
hopes of contributing to Australian society.
They worked very hard to establish themselves. For many
without English language skills, their occupations were confined to
labouring, or low-skilled factory work. These migrants, working long
hours in lower paid jobs, watched their children grow, and saw many
of them fail, or do poorly at school. The language barrier and their
educational background was a severe disadvantage. They approached
Venerable Tsang Hui for help. So he started a tuition class
program for the high school students, to assist them in their
studies. This Tuition Class continues to this day. This year, 2004,
it celebrates its 25th Anniversary, with about 180
students in 31 classes, and 25 teachers.
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In 1981, with help
of a few members, the first Buddhist Society at a NSW university was
founded; the University of New South Wales Buddhist Society (UNIBUDS).
Since its establishment, Venerable Tsang Hui together with Chao Khun
Samai [from Wat Buddharangsee Temple in Lumeah] have been the
appointed the patrons of the Society.
Together, they have
tried to help the students distinguish Buddha’s teachings from the
many cultural traditions and rituals that are far removed from the
Four Noble Truths and the Three Universal Characteristics. The
Society has now grown to about 200 members in 2004, and continues to
benefit many students.
In May 1985, the Hwa
Tsang Monastery was formally founded with Venerable Tsang Hui as the
Abbot. The Monastery aimed to promote Buddhism in Australia, as well
as promote education, and mutual understanding and friendship among
Buddhists, and members of other religions. In addition, it hoped to
provide welfare services to those in need, and to provide a better
learning environment. Venerable also considered, that with the
establishment of the Monastery, more monks and nuns might be
encouraged to study English in Australia. This would assist in
spreading the Bodhi seeds to every corner of the world.
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Venerable Tsang Hui places great importance on cultivating the youth, and providing a modern education. He believes that the understanding of modern science and society can help everyone keep up to date with developments in the world, as well as promoting an understanding of all cultures. In this way, we may communicate effectively with all members of the society, and assist all sentient beings more effectively.
He has tried to set a good example himself. He has always encouraged and supported the younger ones and their education, and placed great attention on their personal development. He has been concerned about the students' discipline and sense of responsibility. He hopes that they might all mature and become understanding, responsible, upright, and useful people.
The Venerable is not easily defeated. As long as it is the right thing to do, Venerable has persisted. This began from the time of his renunciation, to the time he completed his senior secondary and university education. After he came to Australia, and during the building of the Monastery, he encountered many difficulties. However, he did not give up. He overcame the obstacles, one after another. This is a good example for us all to appreciate and learn from.
In the Venerable's mind, everywhere is a practising field. Besides studying the Buddhist Tripitika sutras, and the Chinese Mahayana Canon, the Da Zheng, he has tried to realise the truth of Dharma in everything he encountered in life. There is Dharma in the process of carrying water, carrying rice, watering flowers, cooking and washing vegetables. There is also Dharma in Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Computer Studies.
The Dharma is within the world. The Venerable has treasured every second that he has, and bears the teaching of the Buddha in mind all the time. From his daily life, he realises the truth of the teaching of the Buddha. Many of us should feel ashamed for the amount of time we have wasted in avoiding applying the Dharma in our daily life.
The Venerable likes to use real life examples in his Dharma talks. This allows the audience to understand that the teachings of the Buddha are related to our lives. It is not beyond the world where we live. Venerable is able to explain the profound teaching in simple language, so that all may understand and accept the teaching. When listening to the Venerable's talk, we can feel both at ease, and joyful.
The Venerable is not attached to reputation or wealth. He always thinks of Buddhism as a whole. He is brave in pointing out improper concepts or behaviour, even though this may make some people unhappy. He always teaches his disciples and students to be down to earth and to be honest in practising Buddhism.
Venerable Tsang Hui is approachable. He is easy going and at the same time, he is firm in his views, and so earns everyone's respect. His actions and speeches are well guided by the precepts. He sets a good example for us. He knows when to encourage, and when to give proper guidance. He helps us to confront our problems more wisely and easily.
Our modern society still has many problems. Technology is irrelevant to loneliness and personal suffering. Grief, and feelings of alienation, are not solved by sitting behind a computer, or by watching a video. Have any of you ever seen Venerable Tsang Hui miss or avoid daily chanting, meditation, or giving Dharma talks, just so he could watch the latest "Neighbours" show on TV ?
Venerable Tsang Hui always teaches the Buddha's example; to do our best to have compassion for others. Many in our society feel neglected and dissatisfied. Perhaps your aunt, or grandmother, or neighbour across the road, always look sad or neglected when you meet them. Do not be afraid ! You too will grow old, your skin will wrinkle, and your hair will go grey ! Give them your time, give them your kind and patient ear, or words, and a smile.
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Since establishing the monastery with Main Hall, library, and monks and nuns quarters, in 1990, Venerable has set up various committees with devotees to assist in running the monastery properly. These monastery activities are detailed in the "Aims" page.
Venerable Tsang Hui is patron to several Buddhist organisations in Australia and Asia. He regularly travels throughout Asia and Australia, giving dharma talks, holding retreats, providing support, encouragement, and guidance at many temples, and overseas University Societies. These overseas activities have also brought considerable support back to the Hwa Tsang Monastery.
Venerable Tsang Hui hopes that an Australian Sangha College will be established in Sydney, with the support of both local Australian, and overseas monks (and nuns).
Venerable Tsang Hui is the Vice President of the World Sangha Organisation. This organization provides a forum for Sangha representatives from all countries, as well as trying to support and encourage the promotion of the Buddha's Teachings.
Venerable Tsang Hui has published two English Buddhist books;
- The Dharma and the Daily Life
- Zucchini and Tofu.
Details about these books are discussed in the "Publications" page.
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