Australian Buddhist Library

The Australian Buddhist Library is a treasure trove of Buddhist wisdom, offering thousands of works that illuminate the history, philosophy, and practices of Buddhism. From sacred tripitakas to inspiring lectures by renowned teachers, the collection bridges Mahayana and Theravada traditions, fostering learning and reflection. Founded in 1984 by Eric Liao, the library became a vibrant centre for spiritual growth and community in Sydney, reflecting a vision of unity and enlightenment.

Asia Religion and philosophy

Key items in the collection

This collection hosts a range of formats, including:

Tripitakas

The Tripitaka is a collection of Buddhist sacred texts that is considered a cornerstone of Buddhist teachings in multiple languages such as Thai, Pali, Sinhalese, Burmese, Chinese, and English.

The Burmese-Pali Tripitaka is a standout, published in 64 volumes between 1956 and 1983. It is based on ink and stone rubbings taken from 729 engraved marble tablets in Mandalay.

The collection includes 120 audio tapes of lectures and talks on Buddhism by prominent speakers such as:

Joseph Goldstein
Phra Khantipalo
Ayya Khema
Ajahn Sumedo
Ven Mahinda

A bronze statue of the Buddha, weighing 184 kilograms and standing approximately 115 cm tall. This piece is a replica of a 12th-century Thai artwork and is displayed in the foyer outside the Ferguson Room on the Library's first floor.
Pictures related to Buddhism.

About Eric Liao and the Australian Buddhist Library

Eric Liao, a Cantonese businessman who moved to Australia in 1961, established the Chinese Buddhist Society of Australia in 1972 at his Sydney garage. That same year, the Prajna Temple was opened in Chinatown. Liao believed in uniting different Buddhist traditions, not separating them into Mahayana and Theravada.

Foundation of the Australian Buddhist Library

In 1984, Liao set up the Australian Buddhist Library in Sussex Street with funding from him and his family. The library housed both Mahayana and Theravada canons in several languages, alongside over 3,000 books on Buddhism.

A hub for Buddhist teachings and community

The library became an important space for the local Buddhist community, hosting weekly talks by Australian-born monk Phra Khantipalo (Laurence Mills). It also served as the meeting place for the Buddhist Council of New South Wales.

Background to the collection

In 1987 Liao decided that it was not financially feasible to maintain the Library and he presented the collection to the National Library. Liao donated further books in 1988.

The Australian Buddhist Library collection is part of the Asian Collections. It’s organised into sections: Chinese, English, Sinhalese, Burmese, Thai, and Japanese. All of the books have been catalogued individually.

The audio tapes are held in the Oral History Collection (TRC 2573). They have not been catalogued, but there is a summary listing.

This guide was prepared using these references: