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Religious Studies and School SRE
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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.
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Australia is a democratic, pluralistic, multicultural, tolerant, society. Its citizens are fortunate to have access and exposure to all manner of beliefs. Under the Australian education system, most primary schools have religious lessons each week. Students attend religious classes according to their beliefs. They also study a topic "People and their Beliefs," to further broaden their understanding and tolerance.
In Australian high schools, religion is an elective subject. However, senior high school students may take the subjects "Studies of Religions", "Society and Culture." These subjects cover the major religions in the world, including Buddhism. Students study religious development and practice in Australia, and the religion's influence on individuals and society.
Under the direction of the abbot, monastery venerables, and accredited volunteers have provided Special Religious Education teaching to eight schools for the past six years. The monastery views this education, and support, for our younger generation, as very important.
The monastery SRE Committee has since compiled a primary school Buddhist syllabus, using the Junior Buddhist Studies and Senior Buddhist Studies, written by Venerable Yin Shun. Some supplementary materials have been added to suit the society, and culture of Australia.
This has enabled our accredited volunteer Buddhist teachers to be more systematic and consistent in their teachings. The committee is in the process of compiling a high school Buddhist syllabus based on the Introductory Buddhism Studies written by Venerable Miao Qin
In addition, the SRE committee also conducts a regular Teaching Methodology classes for our accredited volunteers.
As with many other of the newer religions in Australia, there is still a great shortage of accredited volunteer Buddhist teachers at the moment.
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Hwa Tsang Monastery venerables, and accredited volunteer teachers currently teach (Term
1 2008) at;
* Ashbury Public School
* Auburn Public School
* Berala Public School
* Birrong Girls' High School
* Carlingford West Primary School
* Harrington Street Public School
* Homebush Public School
* Lansvale Public School
* Punchbowl Public School
* Randwick Public School
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Every year, the monastery receives about 15 visits by various schools. (Bookings are essential !) When student groups come to the monastery, the SRE venerable
welcomes them. The venerable gives them an introduction on the development and spread of Buddhism, the development of Buddhism in Australia, and some basic concepts of Buddhism. Students
are invited into the Main Hall, where explanations are given about the statues,
the types of offerings, and common rituals in Buddhist services. Students are
given time to ask questions.
The monastery participates in Interfaith conferences, where timings and resources allow. In the third century B.C., the great Buddhist Emperor Asoka of India, following the noble example of tolerance and understanding, honoured and supported all other religions in his vast empire. In one of his Edicts carved on rock, which may even be read today, the Emperor declared,
"One should not honour only one's own religion and condemn the religions of others, but one should honour others' religions for this or that reason. So doing, one helps one's own religion to grow, and renders service to the religions of others too. In acting otherwise, one digs the grave of one's own religion and also does harm to other religions.
Whosoever honours his own religion and condemns other religions, does so indeed through devotion to his own religion, thinking "I will glorify my own religion". But on the contrary, in so doing he injures his own religion more gravely. Concord is good. Let all be willing to the doctrines professed by others."
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SRE Teaching
As noted above, we currently provide SRE teaching to 8 schools. Should your school require teachers, please let us know. While our resources are limited, we will endeavour to assist wherever possible.
School visits to the monastery
Should you wish to bring a student or community group to the monastery, please contact us by phone,
or fax, at least three weeks in advance.
Email
our SRE Co-Ordinator : Venerable Neng Rong
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