Congratulations to Venerable Jue Fang who was awarded one of our two conference award grants for presenters attending the Biennial Oral History Australia Conference in person. We warmly encourage you to read more below about this oral history project and the personal experience of attending the conference.

*Venerable Jue Fang introducing the Nan Tien Temple oral history project at the OHA conference.*

Capturing Spiritual and Cultural Heritage: The Nan Tien Temple's 30th Anniversary Oral History Project
By Venerable Jue Fang

Receiving the 2024 Oral History NSW Conference Grant was an honour and a privilege that allowed me to attend the Oral History Australia Biennial Conference in Melbourne this November. The conference theme, The Power of Oral History—Risks, Rewards and Possibilities, provided a powerful lens through which I could reflect on the journey of preserving Nan Tien Temple's legacy through our 30th Anniversary Oral History Project.

Nan Tien Temple, also known as the "Paradise of the South," emerged from our founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun's vow: "May peace and happiness pervade all worlds." Over the past 30 years, it has grown from a barren hill into a sanctuary of spirituality, education, and cultural exchange. As the project manager for this oral history initiative, I felt a profound sense of responsibility to capture and preserve the lived experiences of those who contributed to this transformation.

*Interview with David Campbell, former Lord Mayor of Wollongong.*

Presenting our project at the conference was an opportunity to share how we embarked on this journey. With no prior experience, we started from scratch, attending training sessions, consulting experts, and collaborating closely with the State Library of NSW. Establishing digital archives became a central focus, ensuring that interviews and historical documents would be preserved and accessible for future generations.

One of the most moving parts of our project has been conducting interviews with those who lived this history. Hearing their stories- filled with emotion, sincerity, and wisdom - has been transformative. For example, David Campbell, the former Lord Mayor of Wollongong, spoke about the temple's founding as a bold "gamble" that ultimately enriched the community and temple alike. His heartfelt reflections encapsulated the essence of oral history: preserving not just facts but the human connections and emotions that bring history to life.

The conference was also a chance to learn from others in the field. I was particularly inspired by the panel discussion, Oral History in Our National and State and Territory Libraries, which highlighted the challenges and responsibilities of archiving oral histories on a national scale. The session resonated deeply, affirming that our work at Nan Tien Temple aligns with broader efforts to conserve and share community narratives.

As a monastic and an insider of the temple community, this experience has deepened my belief in the transformative power of oral history. It is more than a method of preservation; it is a bridge connecting generations, fostering understanding, and celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.
I hope that more communities will join in this meaningful endeavour, capturing their own stories to create a tapestry of voices that will inspire and inform the future.

I return from this conference with gratitude and renewed resolve to continue our project. Thevoices we preserve today are the seeds of tomorrow's wisdom, ensuring that our shared heritage remains a source of hope and connection for generations to come.