21 December 2007 RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS - THE BUDDHISTS Not an outright no By Nicky Smith

The vast Chinese Buddhist temple in Bronkhorstspruit offers "Buddhism-Lite" retreats to harried city dwellers and more intensive training to those looking to become monks. The Fo Guang Shan Nan Hua Temple African Buddhist Seminary attracts students from all over the world. Construction began in 1992 and recruitment in 1994. It is the largest Buddhist temple in Africa and co-ordinates the activities of the Fo Guang Shan temples in other African countries. There are no statistics available on the number of Buddhists in SA, but there are Buddhist centres dotted all over, catering to the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order, Indian and Tibetan Buddhists and various schools of Zen Buddhism. According to Nan Hua's website, the temple is non profit and relies on donations. Those going on retreat at Nan Hua are charged only for the costs of their stay. It is the Temple's ambition to become financially self-sufficient. Temple secretary Karma Tsegyal responded to our e-mailed request for information by saying: "I have discussed this matter with our abbess (equivalent of CEO in other companies). She has requested more information about the Financial Mail, in terms of profile, readership, representivity, distribution. "Is it a magazine or newspaper? How often is it published? Why is this research being done? Who does the information mainly go to?" This information was furnished and five days later Tsegyal said in an e-mail: "I just wanted to let you know that after passing all your info on to our abbess, I have not yet had a reply from her. This is quite typical of Chinese monastics." A week later Tsegyal e-mailed the FM, saying: "It is quite embarrassing for me to have to tell you that I, as yet, still do not have an answer. Usually this is their way of not saying no' outright but, by ignoring it, and avoiding the person/ situation, they hope that it will just go away. So I am inclined to say that it is highly unlikely that we will be participating, but if anything changes I shall contact you immediately." The FM did not heard from Nan Hua again.

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