If you’ve ever traveled down the N4 from Pretoria to Nelspruit, you might have noticed the magnificent structure in the distance when coming up to Bronkhorstspruit. That is the Nan Hua Buddhist Temple and the African headquarters for the Fo Guang Shan Order. We have passed by it a few times now and finally had the chance to stop by for ourselves.
The temple resides on 600 acres (2.4 km2) of peaceful bliss. Walking on these quiet premises truly brings a feeling of peace within. The architecture and attention to detail is astonishing though-out the entire place.
You don’t have to be a buddhist to visit or appreciate it’s beauty and culture, just be courteous and respectful while taking it all in. The visit here was a completely new experience for us and I think it’s a great stop for anyone who is passing by and not in a rush. You can spend 20 minutes or half a day depending on how involved you want to get with what they have to offer.
Our visit here has only pushed the desire to visit Thailand, China, and the other asian countries even more. Experiencing their individual history, landscapes, culture, and food will only deepen our understanding of this planet we all live on and the people within.
