Nan Hua Meditation Centre opens in Sandton.

The Nan Hua Buddhist Temple, based in Bronkhorstspruit, has hosted meditation retreats for years. However, enrolment has become so popular that there are constant waiting lists to participate in the meditation teaching programme.

According to chairperson of Buddha’s Light International Association, Du Mann Ying, meditation has become increasingly popular as not only does it benefit one’s physical health but it also helps with spiritual growth.

“Today we all live in a highly material and stressful world. It is our own greed, hatred, ignorance and arrogance that cause us suffering and pain. Meditation helps us eventually find true self and inner peace,” said Ying.

“Only when one is at peace with him or herself, then we will be peaceful with others.”

Ying explained that meditation helps with stress relief, finding a happier psychological and spiritual balance and even reduces crime.

Abbot of the temple Ven Hui Fang decided to set up the Parkmore centre to offer residents the opportunity to meditate after their busy days in the Sandton precinct.

Besides meditation, the centre also gives lessons such as tai chi, yoga, and chi-kung. Chinese vegetarian cooking classes are conducted by two Masters from the temple, Master Yun-Hsun and Master Jie-Wei. According to Fang, a vegetarian diet is good for one’s health and the environment, as a whole.

“It is also important to find compassion for animals as they are sentient beings, like humans. They feel, fear and love like us,” said Fang.

The Nan Hua Meditation Centre is hosting a lunch break meditation for nearby offices on Thursdays between 1pm and 2pm.

Chinese vegetarian cooking lessons will be held on Friday mornings from 10am to 12pm and Buddhism classes are offered to people on Saturday mornings from 10am to 11:30am.

The centre is based at 107 Eleventh Street, Parkmore, is open from Wednesday to Saturday weekly, and operates between 9am to 5pm.

Details: Du Mann Ying at ying.dumann@gmail.com