We are accredited by the NSW Department of Education to provide Special Religious Education (SRE) to primary and high schools since 1997.
Introduction
Australia is a democratic, pluralistic, multicultural and 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 are able to attend religious classes according to their beliefs, as well as learn about religion in “Human, Society and It’s Environment” courses to help broaden understanding and tolerance towards different people, cultures and societies.
Religion is an elective subject in high school, and students can take up subjects such as “Studies of Religions” and “Society and Culture”. These subjects cover the major religions in the world, including Buddhism, on their development, practises and influence on individuals and the Australian society.
Supporting SRE Teaching and Syllabus
Under the direction of our abbot, authorised venerables and volunteers from the monastery have been providing SRE teaching to NSW public schools for the past twenty years. We view this education and support for our younger generation as very important.
Our SRE committee has compiled the primary school Buddhist syllabus based on “Junior Buddhist Studies” and “Senior Buddhist Studies” written by Venerable Yin Shun, and the high school syllabus based on “Introductory Buddhism Studies” written by Venerable Miao Qin, both adapted to suit our Australian society and culture. Together with regular professional development workshops which provided training in teaching methodology, classroom management and children protection, our scripture teachers are able to deliver the syllabus systematically and consistently.
Learn more about our syllabus and approach.
Current SRE Schools
We currently conduct SRE classes at the following schools in Sydney:
- Birrong Girls’ High School
- Homebush Boys’ High School
- Carlingford West Public School
- Lansvale Public School
- Ashbury Public School
- Homebush Public School
- Homebush West Public School
- Strathfield South Public School
- Berala Public School
We also regularly host student group visits from a number of public and private schools, wishing to broaden their understanding of the different world religions.
Can we help?
SRE Teaching
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
If you wish to bring a student or community group to the monastery, please contact us by phone, or email, at least three weeks in advance.
Email our SRE Co-Ordinator: Venerable Neng Rong (info@htm.org.au)
華藏寺是新州教育部核准提供佛學師資的宗教團體。自1997年開始，本寺佛學老師即為新州公立中、小學提供宗教課程 (SRE)。
引言
澳洲是一個民主、多元性、多元文化及寬容的社會，公民有幸可以接觸到各種宗教信仰。在澳洲的教育體系，大部分的公立中小學每週都有宗教課程。學生可以依據自己的信仰，參加宗教課。
同時，在小學的『人類、社會及其環境』科目裏，亦有介紹宗教，提升學生們對不同人種、文化和社會的了解和包容。
在高中，宗教是選修科目。高中會考生可以選擇例如：『宗教之研究』和『社會與文化』之類的課程。這些課程涵蓋世界上主要的宗教，其中包括佛教。課程內容論及這些宗教的發展、實踐，以及它們對個人和澳洲社會的影響。
宗教教育（SRE）教學及教綱
在我們的住持指導下，華藏寺核准的法師和義務佛學老師，已經為新南威爾斯州公立學校提供超過20多年的宗教教育教學。我們認為此項教育和鼓勵年輕一代學習佛法是極為重要的。
華藏寺宗教教育委員會，依據印順導師所著作的《初級佛學教科書》和《高級佛學教科書》，編撰了小學佛教教綱；依據妙欽法師所著作的《初機佛學讀本》，編撰了中學佛教教綱。這些教綱經修訂以適合澳洲的社會和文化。透過定期專業培訓班，研習教學方法、課室管理和兒童保護，我們的宗教科老師根據華藏寺的教綱與教學方針統一性，有系統性的教學。
欲了解更多教綱和方法，請按此。
目前華藏寺提供宗教教育之學校
我們目前在下列學校指導宗教課程：
- Birrong Girls’ High School
- Homebush Boys’ High School
- Carlingford West Public School
- Lansvale Public School
- Ashbury Public School
- Homebush Public School
- Homebush West Public School
- Strathfield South Public School
- Berala Public School
我們亦定期有公立和私立學校學生來華藏寺參訪，做校外教學，增廣他們對世界不同宗教的了解。
我們能為你做些什麼？
宗教教育教學
如果你的學校需要宗教教育佛學老師，請告訴我們。雖然我們資源有限，但我們還是會盡力予以協助。
學生到寺參訪
如果你希望帶學生或社區團體到寺參訪，請提前至少三個星期，電話或電郵預約。
電郵聯絡SRE負責人：能融法師 info@htm.org.au