London Buddhist Vihara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids London Buddhist Vihara |
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The main building on The Avenue, Bedford Park, Chiswick, formerly a social club
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Theravada Buddhism |
| Leadership | Anagarika Dharmapala, founder |
| Location | |
| Location | Dharmapala Building, The Avenue, London W4 1UD |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Norman Shaw (exterior); E. J. May (interior) |
| Completed | c. 1877 |
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Listed Building – Grade II
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| Official name: London Buddhist Vihara (Former CAV Social Club) | |
| Designated | 2 February 1970 |
| Reference no. | 1079469 |
The London Buddhist Vihara (which means "Buddhist Monastery" in Sinhala) is a very important Theravada Buddhist temple in the United Kingdom. It was the first Buddhist monastery from Sri Lanka to be set up outside of Asia.
This special place was started in 1926. It is looked after by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust, which is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The main monk, or bhikkhu, at the Vihara today is Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera. He is also the Chief Sangha Nayaka for all of Great Britain.
The building itself is quite old and has a special historical status called Grade II listed. Before it became a temple, it was a social club for the Bedford Park garden suburb in Chiswick until 1939. A famous architect named Norman Shaw designed the outside of the building. The inside was designed by Edward John May, but it has been changed a lot over the years.
History of the Vihara
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The London Buddhist Vihara was founded in 1926 by a person named Anagarika Dharmapala. He had a vision to spread Buddhist teachings in the West.
In its early days, a kind supporter named Mary Foster helped a lot. She paid for a place called ‘Foster House’ in Ealing. This was the very first Sri Lankan Buddhist temple outside of Asia. It officially became known as the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926. Soon after, the Vihara moved to Gloucester Road in London. It stayed there until the Second World War began. During the war, the building was needed for other things, so the monks went back to Sri Lanka.
In 1955, the Vihara opened its doors again. This time, it was in Ovington Square, Knightsbridge. A person named Sir Cyril de Zoysa helped make this happen. Later, in 1958, Narada Nayaka Thera became the chief monk. The Vihara moved again in 1964, this time to Heathfield Gardens in Chiswick.
After that, Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera became the chief monk. In 1985, Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera took over this role.
In 1994, the Vihara moved to its current home on The Avenue in Chiswick. Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera became the chief monk in May 2008. The Vihara has several monks from Sri Lanka who live there. They lead and take part in many Buddhist activities in the area.
The Vihara Building
The building where the Vihara is located used to be a social club. It was for the people living in the Bedford Park garden suburb until 1939. The outside of the building was designed by the architect Richard Norman Shaw in 1877-78. The inside was designed by Edward John May. However, the inside has been changed a lot since then. In 1970, the building was given a special status as a Grade II listed building. This means it is an important historical building that needs to be protected.
Images for kids
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Plans for Bedford Park Club by Norman Shaw, 1878
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Sketch of The Club, Bedford Park, 1880
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View inside the meditation room, which used to be a billiard hall, 2024
See also
- Hammalawa Saddhatissa
- Maha Bodhi Society
- Wat Buddhapadipa
- Buddhism in the United Kingdom
- Buddhism in Europe
