Police are searching for two men who broke into a Buddhist temple in Sydney's west and threatened two elderly women.

Officers said the men, who were armed with knives, forced entry to the Chua Phuoc Hue temple at Victoria Street, Wetherill Park, about 7:40pm on Monday.

Inspector Adam Bird said at this stage he understands the men were of Caucasian appearance.

He described the two women as nuns.

NSW Police spokeswoman Sonya Roberts said the men threatened the women, aged 81 and 87, who had been asleep in the temple's sleeping quarters.

"The men stole an amount of cash and an iPad they ran from the location and are yet to be located," she said.

"Both women were treated at the scene for shock, the 81-year-old has been admitted to Fairfield Hospital for further observation.

"Anyone who might have witnessed any suspicious activity around the area of the temple last night and is yet to speak to police should call Crime Stoppers."

Inspector Bird said the 81-year-old woman was pulled to the floor and suffered minor bruising to her back.

"Detectives from Fairfield Local Area Command are investigating, they're hoping to re-interview the victims later today, with the assistance of an interpreter, we're hoping to have a better description of the offenders later today," he said.

"The details are a little sketchy at this stage, due to the language barrier ... but we believe they were both armed with knives."

He said the offence was alarming.

"The ages of the two victims, 81 and 87 years of age, they're elderly ladies, so it's quite worrying."