I found Chung Tian Temple a month or so ago by chance and decided today would be a good day to visit.

The Chung Tian Temple is a Chan Buddhist temple in Priestdale, Brisbane, actually not far from my home (why didn’t I know it existed until now?). Although the car park was almost full, it was as if the building had absorbed all the people! I don’t know where they all went but not many were visibly walking around the temple.

It opened in 1993, founded by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Chung Tian means “Middle Heaven”. Master Hsing Yun is the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order, which has over 200 temples worldwide, as well as college and universities.

After passing Buddha at the top of the stairs and passing through the entrance I entered the garden.

Green lawns with white sculptures edged the garden, all set against the orange stonework. It was a gorgeous, colourful display and at the end of the path a small flight of steps led to the shrine. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed in the shrine itself, but it is a place of reverence and worship so the rules were quite understandable. There would be nothing worse than trying to pray and having someone looking over your shoulder clicking a camera.

I bought some incense sticks and, not really knowing why or what I was doing I lit one and placed it in the receptacle just outside the shrine.

Their chanting echoed around the courtyard so I stopped in the doorway to listen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to understand the words, but the sound of so many voices chanting in unison was incredibly soothing.

In the courtyard a yellow, artificial tree was colourfully decorated with red strips of ribbon which fluttered in the light breeze.

Calligraphy lessons were taking place in the education room where some beautiful examples of paintings, statues and china were kept.

While I was exploring a monk came into the courtyard and started banging rhythmically on a piece of wood. Maybe a call to lunch for the monks and nuns? If so, none came running!

The building is relatively new so doesn’t have age to generate some of the feelings you get when you go into some of the ancient churches overseas but overall there was a feeling of peace and reverence inside the buildings. They have several Tea sessions for visitors, Tea Meditation, a spiritual tea ceremony which combines tea making with mindfulness and a Tea making workshop. I’m looking forward to participating in both sometime, maybe when I have lunch.

I wandered into the gardens, where statues emerged from the surrounding foliage, then decided to continue on to nearby Underwood Park for a walk. The pond there is home to many birds and offers a great opportunity for new photos and videos.

But then—no car keys. I tipped my bag upside down, achieving absolutely nothing. Somewhere between the car park and the gardens they’d clearly vanished. I set off for the car park and walked straight past my own car without noticing it, which was impressive in its own way. Any peace I’d found earlier was gone. I headed back towards the temple feeling slightly sick and that’s when I spotted the car—unlocked, keys still dangling in the ignition. Spiritual awakening: incomplete. Basic functioning: questionable.

I had a very brief walk in the park to calm down then headed home to buy a lottery ticket, which as you have no doubt gathered, didn’t win!

*****