Chung Tian Temple, Buddhist temple in Priestdale, Queensland, Australia
Chung Tian Temple is a Chan Buddhist temple at 1034 Underwood Road in Priestdale, Queensland, part of the Fo Guang Shan order. Its grounds hold a Bodhisattva Hall, a meditation room, a restaurant, a lecture room and a Chinese school with eight classrooms. The tallest structure is the seven-tiered Chung Tian Pagoda.
Chung Tian Temple was founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, also founder of the Fo Guang Shan order, and belongs to that monastic order. Construction began in January 1991 on Underwood Road in Priestdale, and the temple opened in June 1993.
The temple's name, 中天寺, means "Middle Heaven Temple". Each year before Chinese New Year it holds a celebration with food stalls, a funfair, children's activities, a Light Offering Blessing Service, a Chinese lion dance and cultural performances. Sunday Chinese language classes run for native speakers on Saturday and international students on Sunday, across seven levels for ages five to seventeen.
Visitors can attend meditation sessions and Buddhist classes for children on Sundays. It is best to check ahead about visiting hours and dress code expectations, as this is an active place of worship.
The Children's Happy Camp runs for two days each year in September or October, not fixed to September alone. The temple also marks Chinese New Year before the actual date with food stalls, a funfair, children's activities, a Light Offering Blessing Service, a Chinese Lion Dance and cultural performances.
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