London Buddhist Vihara
Encyclopedia
The London Buddhist Vihara is one of the main Theravada
Buddhist temples in the United Kingdom
. The Vihara was the first Sri Lanka
n Buddhist monastery to be established outside Asia
.
Established in 1926, the Vihara is managed by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust in Colombo
. The current chief bhikkhu
of the Vihara is Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
, who is also the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain.
.
One of the temple’s main benefactors during its early days was Mary Foster, who financed ‘Foster House’ in Ealing. This was the first Sri Lankan Buddhist temple established outside Asia and was named the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926. Shortly afterwards, the Vihara moved to Gloucester Road
in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
, where it continued until the Second World War. During the war, the temple premises were requisitioned, and the monks returned to Ceylon.
In 1955, the Vihara reopened in Ovington Square, Knightsbridge
under the initiative of Sir Cyril de Zoysa
.
Ven Narada Nayaka Thera
became the chief bhikkhu of the Vihara in 1958. The Vihara moved to Heathfied Gardens, Chiswick
in 1964. Ven Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera
subsequently became the chief Bhikkhu of the Vihara and was succeeded in 1985 by Ven Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera.
In 1994, The Vihara moved to its present premises at The Avenue, Chiswick
. Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
was appointed as the Chief Bhikkhu in May 2008.
The London Buddhist Vihara has several resident bhikkhus from Sri Lanka and continues to conduct and actively engage in religious Buddhist activities in the region.
Theravada
Theravada ; literally, "the Teaching of the Elders" or "the Ancient Teaching", is the oldest surviving Buddhist school. It was founded in India...
Buddhist temples in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The Vihara was the first Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
n Buddhist monastery to be established outside Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
.
Established in 1926, the Vihara is managed by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust in Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. The current chief bhikkhu
Bhikkhu
A Bhikkhu or Bhikṣu is an ordained male Buddhist monastic. A female monastic is called a Bhikkhuni Nepali: ). The life of Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunis is governed by a set of rules called the patimokkha within the vinaya's framework of monastic discipline...
of the Vihara is Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera is the incumbent Head Priest of the London Buddhist Vihara and the current Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain. He was appointed Chief Bhikkhu of the London Buddhist Vihara on 8 May 2008 following the demise of Ven Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera...
, who is also the Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain.
History
The London Buddhist Vihara was founded in 1926 by Anagarika DharmapalaAnagarika Dharmapala
Anagarika Dharmapala was a leading figure of Buddhism in the twentieth century. He was one of the founding contributors of Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalism and Protestant Buddhism...
.
One of the temple’s main benefactors during its early days was Mary Foster, who financed ‘Foster House’ in Ealing. This was the first Sri Lankan Buddhist temple established outside Asia and was named the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926. Shortly afterwards, the Vihara moved to Gloucester Road
Gloucester Road
Road:* Gloucester Road, London* Gloucester Road tube station* Gloucester Road, Hong Kong* Gloucester Road, Bristol A38 through Horfield, Bristol...
in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is a central London borough of Royal borough status. After the City of Westminster, it is the wealthiest borough in England....
, where it continued until the Second World War. During the war, the temple premises were requisitioned, and the monks returned to Ceylon.
In 1955, the Vihara reopened in Ovington Square, Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge is a road which gives its name to an exclusive district lying to the west of central London. The road runs along the south side of Hyde Park, west from Hyde Park Corner, spanning the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea...
under the initiative of Sir Cyril de Zoysa
Cyril de Zoysa
Sir Cyril de Zoysa was a Sri Lankan industrialist, Senator and a philanthropist. The President of the Senate of Ceylon from 1960 to 1965, he was a leader in the Buddhist revival movement in Ceylon in the 20th century...
.
Ven Narada Nayaka Thera
Narada Maha Thera
The Venerable Narada Maha Thera, born Sumanapala Perera was a Theravadan Buddhist monk and translator, the Superior of Vajirarama Temple in Colombo. He was a popular figure in his native country, Sri Lanka, and beyond....
became the chief bhikkhu of the Vihara in 1958. The Vihara moved to Heathfied Gardens, Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
in 1964. Ven Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera
Hammalawa Saddhatissa
The Ven. Prof. Hammalawa Saddhatissa Maha Thera was an ordained Buddhist monk and author from Sri Lanka, educated in Benares, London, and Edinburgh. He was a contemporary of and in many ways equal to Ven. Prof. Walpola Rahula, also of Sri Lanka....
subsequently became the chief Bhikkhu of the Vihara and was succeeded in 1985 by Ven Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera.
In 1994, The Vihara moved to its present premises at The Avenue, Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
. Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera is the incumbent Head Priest of the London Buddhist Vihara and the current Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain. He was appointed Chief Bhikkhu of the London Buddhist Vihara on 8 May 2008 following the demise of Ven Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera...
was appointed as the Chief Bhikkhu in May 2008.
The London Buddhist Vihara has several resident bhikkhus from Sri Lanka and continues to conduct and actively engage in religious Buddhist activities in the region.