Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Western Australia (FGS WA) is located in Maylands near the Perth CBD. Construction began in 1994, and the temple opened in 1998. Like other major Fo Guang Shan temples in Australia, it adopts elements of traditional Chinese Mahayana Buddhist architecture. The temple is a place for religious practice as well as educational and cultural activities and is open to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. 

Before the temple was established, lay practitioners in Western Australia had already been organising communal Dharma activities. In 1993, these activities were brought together under the Buddha’s Light International Association of Western Australia (BLIAWA).¹ The association has received recognition from the State Office of Multicultural Interests, the City of Perth, and the City of Bayswater, particularly in relation to its promotion of multiculturalism through the annual Buddha’s Birthday and Multicultural Festival.² 

The Fo Guang Chinese School of WA,³ established in 1998, provides instruction in Chinese language and cultural traditions. The temple is also associated with Buddha’s Light Scouts WA,⁴ established in 2018 as the first Buddhist Scout group in Western Australia. The program is designed for young people aged 5 to 18 and incorporates elements of Buddhist values into its activities. 

By: Sioh Yang Tan, Juewei Shi 

 

References 

¹  “Buddha’s Light International Association of WA,” Fo Guang Shan Western Australia, accessed July 3, 2026, https://www.fgswa.org.au/bliawa. 

²  Nan Tien Temple Editorial Team, ed.,  Fo guang zu ji Dayang Zhou 28 = Buddha footprints in Oceania: 28 years of Buddhist Dharma propagation by Fo Guang Shan Australia, New Zealand (Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple, 2017). 

³  “Fo Guang Shan Chinese School WA,” Fo Guang Shan Western Australia, accessed July 3, 2026, https://www.fgswa.org.au/fgscswa. 

⁴  “Buddha’s Light Scouts WA,” Fo Guang Shan Western Australia, accessed July 3, 2026, https://www.fgswa.org.au/bliascouts.