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在澳洲的黃金海岸，法總有一個分支道場。如果從加拿大去，先到香港，要十二個小時；從香港到澳洲布里斯本，要八個小時，還得坐一個小時的車程，才能到座落於黃金海岸的分支道場。這座道場佔地二十二英畝，於一九九五年由居士獻給法總，名為「金岸法界聖寺」。
建立澳洲分支道場的居士是馬來西亞人，住新加坡。這位居士一九七八年在馬來西亞皈依上人，之後她經常到萬佛城；上人到一些地方弘法，都會撥電話要她跟著隨團。一九九○年，上人到歐洲弘法，也叫她一起隨團。到歐洲過後，上人到處去看地也帶著她；上人跟她說：「我希望佛法能傳到世界的每一個角落！」她心裏就想：「我也想幫師父傳揚佛法！」因為她的孩子在澳洲讀書，所以她希望澳洲也有一處道場；後來找到了一塊土地，她也沒跟上人說，只默默地行事。
上人到白宮參加老布希總統大選的就職典禮那一次，她也是隨行弟子之一。上人問她：「妳找的地這麼大，要做什麼呢？」她說：「我希望萬佛城在那邊也有一個分支道場！」上人沒說什麼，只是笑一笑。
一九九五年上人圓寂了，她的心願沒有改變。原來買的一塊地是五十三英畝，有很多條件限制，不能建道場，所以就放棄了。後來她們找到了現在這個地方，是在昆士蘭的黃金海岸，地方有二十二英畝。建築物計劃和環境報告很容易就申請通過，她就開始一棟一棟房子建造：先建了大殿、五觀堂，再建一個小小的圖書館、辦公室；接著建一個禪堂，禪堂後面有一個男眾住的地方；再建一個僧寮，是女眾住的。我們去的時候，一進廟門，就看到一座莊嚴的觀音立像在蓮花池中；後有修長美麗之紫竹叢，堆砌的山石之間，有潺潺流水入池。山石下花池內，晚間有五彩的燈光映照在水面上，靜謐玄色不免令人遐思。還有一個更特殊的地方──羅漢道。用淡綠色石板，沿著小丘，在林蔭間所造的「羅漢道」，每隔一段路，就可以看到一尊如人高大的石雕羅漢；走完一圈，剛好是十八羅漢。前面是圓形講法處和講法臺，上面供奉了一尊阿彌陀佛立像。各色鳥類天天都在這有靈氣的極樂世界歡樂唱和！
我們覺得這位居士很用心，她希望法總能接受這個道場，盼望了很久。法總已經有法師去當地講法等種種的因緣；目前由持法師帶領「楞嚴經講習班」，為期四個月。那裡可以住四、五十人，目前有二十五個人在；本地大概有五、六個學生，都是西方人。澳洲分支道場的特色，是西方人多。像我們「楞嚴經講習班」的第一天，就來了許多當地人，有十二人左右；他們之前參加過道場的活動，他們都喜歡打坐。
編按：據說目前在澳洲，佛教是發展最迅速的宗教；法總出家眾在經過海關時，有關員很和善的交談並藉機請教打坐之事。金岸法界聖寺申請之續建計劃，目前已得到政府許可。
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The Dharma Realm Buddhist Association has a monastery in Australia. If you fly from Canada, it takes 12 hours to reach Hong Kong, and another 8 hours from Hong Kong to Australia. Then it’s an hour’s drive to the monastery from Brisbane Airport. The monastery sits on 22 acres of land; it was donated to Dharma Realm Buddhist Association by an Upasika [laywoman] in 1995 and was named “Gold Coast Dharma Realm Monastery.”
The Upasika who established the monastery is a Malaysian who lives in Singapore. In 1978, she took refuge with the Venerable Master in Malaysia, after which she made numerous visits to the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas (CTTB). Whenever the Venerable Master went on tour to propagate the Buddhadharma, he would call and ask her to join the delegation. In 1990 when the Venerable Master went to Europe to propagate the Buddhadharma, he also asked her to come along. After the trip to Europe, the Venerable Master often brought her along when he went looking at properties. The Venerable Master said to her, “I wish the Buddhadharma could be transmitted to every place in the world.” And deep down this Upasika was thinking, “I too want to help my Teacher to transmit the Buddhadharma.” Because her child was studying in Australia, she hoped that there would also be a monastery there. She later found a plot of land there but never informed the Venerable Master; she began working on this project quietly.
When the Venerable Master went to the White House to attend President Bush Sr.’s inauguration, she was one of the Venerable Master’s disciples who went there. The Venerable Master asked her, “You found such a large piece of land; what do you want to do with it?” She said, “I am hoping CTTB can have a branch there!” The Venerable Master just smiled and did not say anything.
Her wish did not change after the Venerable Master passed into stillness in 1995. The property she originally purchased was 53 acres. Since various restrictions prevented her from building a monastery on the property, she therefore gave up on it. Afterward, she and others found the place we have now, located in Brisbane, Queensland. The property is 22 acres in size. The building plan and environmental report were easily approved. She then started to put up structures one by one on the property. First, the Main Hall was built, then the Five Contemplations Dining Hall, a small library, an administration office, and a Chan room. Behind the Chan room, there is a men’s residence; they built another one for women. When we went to the monastery, upon entering we beheld a graceful Guanyin statue standing in a lotus pond against a backdrop of tall and beautiful purple bamboo. Water flowed through a mound of stones into the pond. At night, underwater lights would project beams of different colors to the surface of the pond. The serene yet colorful scene stirs the mind to reflection.
The most special place of all is the Arhat Path. Paved with light green granite slabs, the Arhat Path meanders through trees and bushes and is lined by life-sized statues of the Eighteen Arhats. In front of the Arhat Path is an amphitheater for Dharma lectures with a statue of Amitabha Buddha on the platform. Everyday, birds of different colors sing in joyful harmony in this land of ultimate bliss.
We appreciate the care that this Upasaka put into the project. She had been looking forward to DRBA accepting the monastery for a long time. DRBA has already been sending Dharma Masters to the monastery to propagate the Buddhadharma. Currently, Dharma Master Heng Chih is leading a Shurangama Sutra Retreat which will last for 4 months. The monastery can house 40-50 people. Right now, there are 25 people, including 5 or 6 local Westerners. This monastery is unique in that many Westerners visit. For instance, during the first day of the Shurangama Sutra Retreat, about twelve local people attended. These people had participated in previous activities at the monastery, and they all like to meditate.
Editor's Note: Buddhism is said to be the fastest growing religion in Australia. When monastics from DRBA passed through the Australia customs, some officials were very friendly and even asked questions about meditation. The building plan for extension of the Gold Coast Dharma Realm Monastery has already been approved by the local government.
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