Sensational-Adelaide.com

A $15 million beachside Buddhist retreat, which features an 18m-tall statue as its centrepiece, will welcome up to 20,000 visitors a year when it opens.

The temple’s Abbot Venerable Maiojing Shi, whose dream it has been to create the Sellicks Hill retreat, says it is expected to open in three to five years.

“It’s taken a long time for my wish to have a retreat here and it will be for all people who want to learn meditation and have a stress-free retreat to practise,” he said.

“It is to the benefit of the whole community.

“We welcome everyone here, it doesn’t matter what religious background.”

Abbot Shi expects the retreat, on Cactus Canyon Rd, will attract thousands of visitors from across the globe.

“Once the whole temple is finished, in one year I expect at least 10,000-20,000 international Buddhists and tourists to come,” he says.

Already visitors have flocked to the south’s coastline to view the 350 tonne statue of Guan Yin,­­ the goddess of mercy, which was unveiled last week.

Abbot Shi praised the finished statue of Guan Yin, which symbolises generosity.

“It’s a very magnificent statue and you can see her face is full of peace and tranquillity,” he says.

“Guan Yin has a very kind heart and whoever sees her appearance always thinks of kindness and to help people.”

Abbot Shi said he travelled the world to find the perfect peaceful location for the development and the $1 million statue.

It was standing on Sellicks Hill overlooking the calm ocean that his decision was made.

“I had a vision from Guan Yin to come here and build it here,” he said.

“This is the southern side of the Australia and Guan Yin must face the southern sea. Look at the view and the sea, it’s magnificent.”

Work on the retreat’s gardens will start next, followed by the construction of 10 units and finally the temple.

Nan Hai Pu Tuo Temple of Australia’s Adelaide spokesman Lee Chew said the statue is located in the middle of a construction site and is not yet open to the public.

The Buddhist retreat was first slated in 1997, before a revised plan was approved in 2009.