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{{Short description|Buddhist temple in Australia}}
{{For|the temple in Su'ao, Taiwan|Nantian Temple}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Nan Tien Temple
| native_name = 
| image = 1.-Nan Tien Temple front.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = The main entrance to the Nan Tien Temple complex, with the Great Mercy Shrine at centre.
| map_type = New South Wales#Australia
| map_size = 
| map_alt = 
| map_caption = 
| location = [[Berkeley, New South Wales]]
| coordinates = {{coord|34|28|00|S|150|50|55|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=title,inline}}
| religious_affiliation = [[Buddhist]] 
| sect = [[Fo Guang Shan]]
| groundbreaking = 1992
| deity = 
| country = [[Australia]]
| functional_status = Active
| website = https://www.nantien.org.au/en/
| founded_by = [[Hsing Yun]]
| architect = Brewster Hjorth
| year_completed = 1995

}}
'''Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple''' ({{zh|c=佛光山南天寺|p=Fóguāngshān Nántiān Sì|l=Southern Heaven Temple}}) is a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] [[temple]] complex located in [[Berkeley, New South Wales|Berkeley]], on the southern outskirts of the [[Australia]]n city of [[Wollongong]], approximately {{Convert|90|km}} south of [[Sydney]].<ref name="NTT_Home">{{cite web|url=http://www.nantien.org.au/en/|title=Home|publisher=Nan Tien Temple|access-date=2009-03-07}}</ref>

Nan Tien is one of the branch temples of the Taiwanese [[Fo Guang Shan]] Buddhist order, founded in 1967 by [[Hsing Yun]],<ref name=NTT_About_FGS>{{cite web | publisher = Nan Tien Temple | title = About--Introduction of Fo Guang Shan | url = http://www.nantien.org.au/en/about/foguangshan.asp | access-date = 2009-03-07 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081229015935/http://www.nantien.org.au/en/about/foguangshan.asp | archive-date = 2008-12-29 }}</ref> which has over 120 branches worldwide. The temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in the southern hemisphere.<ref name="NTT_About">{{cite web|url=http://www.nantien.org.au/en/about-us/nan-tien-temple|title=About|publisher=Nan Tien Temple|access-date=2009-03-03}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Looking over temple in berkley.jpg|thumb|center|450px|Looking over the temple out towards [[Mount Kembla]] and the [[Illawarra Escarpment]]]]

It was founded by and constructed under the auspices of the [[Mahayana]] [[Buddhist]] organisation known as [[Fo Guang Shan]], and completed in 1995. The organisation itself was founded in [[Taiwan]] in 1967 by Venerable Master [[Hsing Yun]], and has 120 branches throughout the world. [[Fo Guang Shan]] [[Buddhism]] is rooted in the [[Mahayana]] tradition which emphasises that [[Buddhahood]] is within everyone's potential reach. [[Fo Guang Shan]] followers strive to bring Buddhism into daily life and describe their philosophy as "[[Humanistic Buddhism]]".

The site of the Australian branch's temple was reputedly chosen by Hsing Yun due to its proximity to [[Mount Kembla]], which is said to have an auspicious resemblance to a recumbent [[lion]]. It overlooks both [[Mount Keira]] and Mount Kembla. The land which the temple stands on was donated by [[Frank Arkell]]. The hill behind the temple is on a 100 year lease from the local government so as to preserve the serenity of the temple's surroundings. The temple pays a rent of one dollar a year to maintain the lease.<ref>{{cite book
 |last= Yun
 |first= Hsing
 |date= 2012
 |title= Buddhist Affinities Across 100 Years
 |publisher= Fo Guang Shan Board of Directors
 |page= <!-- or pages= -->
 |oclc= 849539518
}}</ref>

==Temple complex==
[[File:Chinese shrine to the Five Tathagathas (五方佛 Wǔfāngfó) or Five Wisdom Buddhas (五智如来 Wǔzhì Rúlái), in Nantian Temple (佛光山南天寺) in Wollongong, Australia.jpg|left|thumb|330x330px|Shrine to the [[Five Tathāgatas|Five Tathagathas]] in the temple]]
The Nan Tien complex is a Chinese-styled palace structure built using modern architectural techniques. Designed by Australian architects, Jones Brewster Regan and built by Australian construction workers, it occupies a semi-rural hillside site several square kilometres in size, and is set amidst landscaped gardens.

In addition to various meeting rooms, a museum, cultural, conference and accommodation facilities and a restaurant, the Nan Tien temple complex includes two massive prayer halls (known as the ''Great Mercy Shrine'' and the ''Great Hero Hall'') within which are located multiple monumental [[Buddharupa|Buddha]] and [[Bodhisattva]] statues, as well as an eight-level pagoda, serving as a [[columbarium]] intended to house the cremated remains of 7000 people.  The front hall houses the Thousand Handed [[Avalokitesvara]] (known as [[Kuan Yin]] in Chinese culture) and the main hall in the back houses the [[Five Dhyani Buddhas]], Amogasiddhi, Ratnasambhava, Vairocana, [[Amitabha]] and Akshobhya. Both halls have thousands of tiny statues of Buddha on the walls.  The complex also has amenities for monks, nuns and visitors, and a large garden with a [[pagoda]].

The architecture of the complex is notable because it incorporates the features of several styles of Buddhism. The pagoda is distinctly Chinese, with flying eaves and an angular profile. The main temples incorporates features of [[Tibetan Buddhism|Tibetan monastic architecture]], with multi-storey painted temple buildings set atop high stone platforms (see the [[Potala Palace]]). The courtyards feature Japanese-style gardens, while the statues and shrines often incorporate bright, South-East Asian colour schemes, in contrast to the more austere styles favoured in China.

==Tourism==
The temple is one of Wollongong's major tourist attractions and conducts regular weekend retreats for visitors interested in Buddhism in general and [[Chinese culture]] in particular. Retreats can involve classes in [[tai chi]], calligraphy and [[meditation]].

Accommodation for retreat participants and members of the general public is available at the Pilgrim Lodge, a 100-room motel-style facility located in the temple grounds adjacent to its large lotus pond.

It is regarded as an "orthodox" Buddhist temple by local Chinese Buddhists, in contrast with some other shrines which worship Buddhist, Taoist, and mystical heroes in the same building. It frequently hosts festivals.

==University==
{{Infobox university
| name = Nan Tien Institute of Higher Education
| image_name = Nan Tien Institute.jpg
| caption = 
| archiveurl = 
| archivedate = 
| motto = 
| mottoeng = 
| established = 2011
| type = [[Private university|Private]]
| president = Bill Lovegrove
| head = 
| students = 
| religious_affiliation = [[Humanistic Buddhism]]
| undergrad = 
| postgrad = 
| doctoral = 
| city = [[Wollongong]]
| state = NSW
| country = Australia
| coor = 
| campus = 
| colours = 
| affiliations = 
| website = {{URL|https://www.nantien.edu.au//}}
| logo = 
| staff = 
}}
'''[https://www.nantien.edu.au/ Nan Tien Institute]''' (NTI) is a private, not for profit, government accredited higher education provider offering studies in the areas of Buddhist studies, health and wellbeing, within an environment that incorporates contemplative education.  NTI offers postgraduate programs in Applied Buddhist Studies, Health and Social Wellbeing, Humanistic Buddhism and Mental Health, as well as customised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs and special interest subjects across the areas of meditation, mindfulness and health. It opened in 2015 and is located opposite the Nan Tien Temple across the [[Princes Motorway]]. A pedestrian bridge joining the university and the temple was completed in 2018.

==Gallery==
<gallery widths="200" heights="200">
File:Copy of 1.7-Nan Tien Temple.jpg|The main temple
File:Steps leading to the pagoda at the Nan Tien Temple August 2020.jpg|Steps to the 8 Level Pagoda that is located within the Nan Tien complex
File:Water feaure at Nan tien temple.jpg|Water feature in the temple, featuring statues of various bodhisattvas
File:Guan Yin Shrine at Nan tien temple.jpg|Shrine to [[Guanyin]] in the temple
File:Nan tien temple shrine in Wollongong.jpg|Statuette of a bodhisattva in the temple
File:Nan tien temple statue in Wollongong.jpg|Statuette of a bodhisattva in the temple
File:Nam Tien Temple, Wollongong.jpg|[[Free Life Pond]] in the temple
</gallery>

==See also==
*[[Hsing Yun]]
*[[Chung Tian Temple]]
*[[Hsi Lai Temple]]
*[[Nan Hua Temple]]
*[[Great Stupa of Universal Compassion]]
*[[Jade Buddha for Universal Peace]]

{{Refbegin}}
{{refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nan Tien Temple}}
*[http://www.nantien.org.au/ Nan Tien Temple website.]
*[http://www.nantien.edu.au/ Nan Tien Institute website]
*[http://www.larkin.net.au/nan_tien/index.html Nan Tien Photos]
*[http://fieldofview.com/flickr/?page=photos/woof69/2110693702/ An interactive 360° panorama of the courtyard]

{{Buddhism topics}}
{{Fo Guang Shan}}
{{Illawarra region topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Buddhist temples in Australia]]
[[Category:Chinese-Australian culture in New South Wales]]
[[Category:Fo Guang Shan temples]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Wollongong]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures completed in 1995]]
[[Category:20th-century Buddhist temples]]
[[Category:Religious buildings and structures in New South Wales]]
[[Category:1995 establishments in Australia]]