Nan Tien Temple in Berkeley has organised a full day of celebrations on September 28 from 10am and the public is invited to come along to the main shrine to see Buddhist ceremonies and a visual review of the past 20 years.

At 11am a purification ceremony will be held for the Nan Tien Institute's new $40 million tertiary campus, across the motorway from the temple. Guests will be invited to place items in a time capsule.

From 12.30pm there will be a community fair at the temple, including a vegetarian food fair and market stalls.

Nan Tien Institute director Reverend Miao You said the temple was opened to the public in 1994 with the official opening in October 1995.

"We have to thank the council for giving us the opportunity to be part of this multicultural community," she said.

"We are very happy to be here. We have a lot of offer to this region and in the last 20 years we are one of the most popular tourist attractions."

The temple won the heritage and cultural tourism award at the 2014 South Coast Tourism Awards and attracts 200,000 visitors a year.

Rev You said the temple generated peace and harmony and was a sanctuary for people.

"We are also pleased to offer educational facilities to students from kindergarten up to university." The institute was set up in 2011 offering two postgraduate degrees based on Buddhist teachings and values. Currently there are about 100 students but the new campus, set to open in March, can cater for up to 300 students.

More degree courses are planned.

The building's design is inspired by the lotus, featuring four "pods" - an art gallery, cafe, library and meditation hall.