Giới thiệu — who we are, why we exist, and how we are governed as a registered Australian charity.
An Lac Hanh Association of Victoria Inc. was established by members of Melbourne’s Vietnamese Buddhist community to create a permanent spiritual and cultural home in the city’s northern suburbs. Our temple, Chùa An Lạc Hạnh — the Temple of Peace and Happiness — sits at 80 Cyprus Street, Lalor, in the City of Whittlesea.
Our association was registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) on 31 December 2002, and has served the community continuously ever since. What began as a gathering place for worship has grown into a centre for education, culture and care: a weekend language school for children, meditation and Dharma teaching for adults, and pastoral support for families, seniors, migrants and refugees.
We are a small charity run largely by volunteers. Every service, class and visit is made possible by the time, skills and generosity of our members.
Our purpose is the advancement of religion and the wellbeing of our community. In practice, that means three commitments that guide everything we do.
Provide an open, welcoming temple where people can practise Buddhism, take part in chanting and meditation, observe the precepts, and celebrate the festivals that anchor our spiritual year.
Teach Vietnamese language, Buddhist moral teachings, traditions and family values to children and young people, so the heritage of our community lives on in the next Australian generation.
Offer religious support and counselling to members of our community who require it — visiting the sick and elderly, supporting grieving families, and helping migrants and refugees find their feet.
As reported to the ACNC, our programs support people across every stage of life, with a particular focus on those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds:
While our roots are in the Vietnamese Buddhist community, our doors are open to all. Many of our gatherings are conducted in Vietnamese, with English warmly accommodated.
An Lac Hanh Association of Victoria Inc. is an incorporated association in the state of Victoria, governed by a committee elected by its members in accordance with our rules of association.
As a registered charity we report annually to the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), and our registration details are publicly available on the ACNC Charity Register under ABN 13 755 426 242.
We are entirely not-for-profit. All funds received — through donations and community fundraising — are used to maintain the temple, run our programs and support our charitable activities. No funds are distributed to members.
If you have questions about our governance, finances or charitable status, please contact us.
The best way to understand our community is to visit. Join a Sunday service, bring your children to our language school, or simply come for a quiet moment in the temple hall.
