Traditional Tibetan Temple

TRADITIONAL TIBETAN TEMPLE


 

 

 
The temple is a sacred place featuring many symbols which are powerful reminders of the holy dharma, in particular the positive qualities of mind we try to cultivate for the benefit of both ourselves and others.


The temple is the first traditional Tibetan temple in Western Australia.  It was built following the inspiring example of our spiritual head, Geshe Acharya Thubten Loden, who constructed the first such temple in Australia in Melbourne nine years ago.

One of the major auspicious ornaments which sits atop the building over the entrance is the gold dharma chakra, a wheel of eight spokes, which symbolizes the noble eightfold path taught by Lord Buddha. This is flanked by two deer, representing peacefulness and compassion.  The deer are gazing up at the dharma chakra showing aspiration for the dharma.

Around the parapet of the building, golden disc-like ornaments represent good fortune and enjoyment.

Under the eaves are over 400 gold painted lotus petals.  The lotus is a plant which typically grows in muddy, swamp-like conditions but which grows to flower on the surface in blossoms of the most transcendent beauty.  Lord Buddha taught how, we can use difficult or unpleasant circumstances to attain transformation of our own minds.

 

 

As we enter the temple we find ourselves in the presence of a huge golden Buddha statue sitting on top of a large decorated throne.

The statue holds over five million mantras printed on pieces of paper and hand-rolled by several students over the course of four years. These mantras are positioned in prescribed places within the statue.

The statue also contains a sandalwood central channel, inscribed with gold painted mantras in Tibetan language, wrapped in cloth, medicinal substances such as sandalwood powder and saffron, and other precious items. It also contains a copy of each of the eight holy texts composed by Geshe Thubten Loden, and a Tibetan copy of Tsong Khapa’s Graduated Path to Enlightenment plus other holy texts.

 

The Tasmanian oak altar rising to the ceiling nearly six metres high, houses the Tibetan translation of Tangyur, the commentaries on Lord Buddha’s sutras and the Kangyur, which are the actual sutras. The texts are all individually wrapped in elaborate Tibetan brocade.

Four traditional, hand painted thangkas or scrolls housed in our previous humble meditation rooms over the past three decades, are now perfectly placed within the altar. The walls are decorated with several other traditional thangkas. A row of 108 small offering lights spans the altar in front of the statue.

A beautiful polished white European marble floor adds to the sacred ambience of the temple.

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