The Manjushri Buddhist Centre (MBC) received $16,397 from South Coast MP Shelley Hancock under the Community Building Partnership programme.

Manjushri Buddhist Centre President Ben Adcock, on behalf of the centre, praised Mrs Hancock for her valuable support to upgrade their facilities.

“Thank you Shelley, this grant is wonderful for our volunteers and visitors who will benefit greatly from the Centre upgrade and is very timely for next year’s visit by the head of the Sakya lineage to our tiny centre” Mr Adcock said.

The Manjushri Centre occupies one room and shares Milton Playgroup’s facilities in a council-owned building in Wason Street Milton, opposite the CWA Hall. 

“While we are grateful to lease the space, our activities over the years have increased our participant and visitor numbers and one small room quickly becomes stuffy with over 50 people in it for up to eight hours during teachings,” Mr Adcock said.

The group opens the doors and people practise from the verandah, but street can interrupt sessions and cold or wet weather adds to the difficulty.

Mr Adcock said the centre will install air-conditioning to assist the younger and older members of the group. Much of Tibetan Buddhist practice occurs at floor level, and the old carpet creates allergy issues for some. 

“We can now replace the carpet with a floating timber floor and purchase more cushions and base mats for people’s comfort. We can also get some suitable chairs for those unable to reach the floor,” he said.

“To provide more floor room for more people we can now install shelving and other storage. Lighting, ceiling fans, window treatments and landscaping also form part of the upgrade.”

As Buddhism could be considered a philosophy rather than a religion, the Manjushri Buddhist Centre is able to assist the wider community regardless of religious preferences. The centre does not have any desire to convert anyone and holds at its core, the wish to benefit all beings, he said.

The Manjushri Buddhist Centre is open several times a week to offer practice sessions and a peaceful space for meditation.

There are regular family retreats that span full weekends, teaching sessions, drop-in times, movie and milkshake evenings, monthly Sunday morning kids’ sessions and a library of over 1000 books, CDs and DVDS.

MBC runs an eight week Calm Abiding Meditation Course meditation course four times a year which is open to all and runs occasional courses for specific audiences like mental health workers and teachers.

Every year the MBC sponsors and facilitates the visit to the region by some of the best known Buddhist teachers from Australia and around the world. Each visiting teacher provides a free public talk which is always well attended.

For over 15 years, and with the guidance of the Buddhist Council of NSW, the MBC has been able to provide a constant group of vetted and trained volunteers to offer Buddhism as an alternative in the Scripture and Religious Education curriculum at the local primary school and now the high school. This service is much appreciated by the parents of the children that attend, and has the full support of the Ethics Council of Australia.