李鴻藩 Raymond Lee
2024-02-22
The interview with Raymond Lee, conducted for the State Library of New South Wales Oral History Collection and Nan Tien Temple's 30th Anniversary Oral History Project, provides a deep dive into Lee's life journey and contributions to the Nan Tien Temple, the Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) and the Hsing Yun Education Foundation (HYEF) in Australia.
In the interview, Lee offers an evocative narrative of his life, tracing his journey from Hong Kong to Sydney and back, before resettling in Australia in 1986. Lee's experiences encapsulate the evolving multicultural landscape of Australia, his deep understanding of and engagement with Humanistic Buddhism, and his pivotal roles within the Nan Tien Temple, the BLIA and HYEF. Highlights include his observations on the changing perceptions of Buddhism and Asian culture in Australia, the impact of immigration on Australian society, and his personal evolution through his family's involvement with the temple and his decades of service in this Buddhist community.
Recorded with clarity and minimal background noise, this interview offers a detailed account for understanding the temple's history and the broader acceptance of Buddhism within the Australian community. Lee's insights into the challenges and his future visions for the BLIA, punctuated by his gratitude towards his wife, Florence, for her unwavering support, underscore the interview's contribution to documenting the interplay between personal faith and community service in the diaspora's cultural integration and the religious landscape within Australia.
