Paint was thrown onto the sign at the Jin-Gang-Dhyana Buddhist Temple in Campania on Friday morning. Earlier this year police investigated a similar incident where the sign was splattered with egg and a white paste.

Tasmanian Chinese Buddhist Academy of Australia president Zin De Wang called for unity and said there had been an increase in racist sentiment against Chinese-Australians this year.

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"The world needs peace and harmony," he said.

Multicultural Council of Tasmania chief executive officer Duncan Spender said it was disappointing to see the temple vandalised again.

He said it was lazy and stupid to conflate Chinese Australians with the Chinese government.

"It is probably one or two perpetrators, but even so it is disappointing and disappointing in how stupid it is," Mr Spender said.

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Mr Spender said it was highly likely that this incident was related to the trade dispute between China and Australia.

"It is very disappointing [that people can't separate Chinese Australians and the Chinese government]," he said.

"This is just perhaps one or two perpetrators so it is not relating to the wider community.

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"But, it is still disappointing that in a handful of people they see one thing going on with the Chinese Communist Party and feel like doing something mean to another Tasmania just because of their appearance."

Police were called to the temple, but those responsible for the vandalism were already gone.

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