MELBOURNE, 6 July 2025: The Mettadipa Vihara, Myanmar Buddhist Monastery (Temple), Cranbourne today was the scene of a lively ‘Offering’ ceremony. It is where Buddhists offered food, robes, or other necessities to the monastic community (Sangha), to accumulate merit and express gratitude. Myanmar origin Buddhists from across Melbourne and Victoria were present in large numbers colourfully dressed and with families. It was a day of devotion and also fun on a winter afternoon.
State Member for Cranbourne. Pauline Richards MP joined those present and went around talking to people. The Monastery authorities also discussed the expansion plans of the 10 acre Vihara compound with Pauline. The Buddhist Temple has all been brought up with the support of the community and the effort continues to grow. South Asia Times (SAT) media team of Neeraj Nanda and Siddarth Maitrak were there to cover the event as the ceremony took off at the currently makeshift temple premises.
Once the Offering ceremony was over, community members queued up for the lunch with lots of food variety. The place has many big statues of Buddha imported from Myanmar, which are being slowly installed with reverence. The organisers say it will take a few years to make the temple fully ready. Till then, they say, the efforts will be at full pace and dedication.
In the Buddhist tradition, the making of an offering allows one to practice giving, to express gratitude and respect and to reflect upon the life sustaining law of interdependence. The offering of light extinguishes darkness, it symbolically represents the way in which wisdom dispels ignorance. This what was observed at the Mettadipa Vihara.
The temple is situated at – 1360 Western Port Hwy, Cranbourne South, VIC 3977 and the phone number is (03) 9775 7737.
