About – London Buddhist Vihara

A message from the Head Monk

Welcome to the London Buddhist Vihara

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the website of the London Buddhist Vihara. Founded through the vision of Anagārika Dharmapāla, the Vihara has been a place of Buddhist learning, practice and fellowship in the United Kingdom. For generations it has provided a spiritual home where the teachings of the Buddha can be studied, contemplated and practised.

The Dhamma is timeless. Its message of wisdom, compassion, mindfulness and inner peace remains deeply relevant to the challenges of contemporary life. At the Vihara we seek to preserve and share the Theravāda Buddhist tradition while welcoming all who wish to learn about the Buddha's teachings. Through meditation, Dhamma education, religious observances and community activities, the Vihara offers opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to deepen their understanding and bring the principles of the Dhamma into their daily lives.

In 2026 the London Buddhist Vihara celebrates its Centenary. This is a significant moment in our history — a time to remember with gratitude those who have dedicated themselves to the Vihara, and to reflect upon the responsibility we carry for its future. As we look back upon a century of Buddhist presence in the United Kingdom, we do so with gratitude and humility. As we look forward, our aspiration remains simple: to preserve the Buddha's teachings and make them available to future generations.

I warmly invite you to come and visit the London Buddhist Vihara. Whether you are already familiar with Buddhism or are simply curious to learn more, you will be most welcome. Please explore our website to learn about our programmes, activities and services, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Vihara.

May the Triple Gem bless you with peace, wisdom and well-being.

Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera
Head Monk of the London Buddhist Vihara
Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain

History

Sri Lankan Buddhist heritage in London

The London Buddhist Vihara is one of the oldest Theravāda Buddhist centres in the Western world. It was established to share the teaching and practice of the Buddha with people in Britain, and has been served by resident Dhammaduta bhikkhus from Sri Lanka throughout its history.

The Vihara grew from the vision of Anagārika Dharmapāla, who wanted a permanent home for the Dhamma in London, at a time when the city was seen as the centre of the world. His work was made possible by the generosity of Mrs Mary Foster Robinson, a philanthropist of Hawaiian and British parentage who supported much of his life's work.

Founded on 24 July 1926, the Vihara first opened in Ealing — the first Buddhist monastery established outside Asia. It continued through several locations in London before the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust of Sri Lanka established its permanent home in Chiswick. Since 1994 the Vihara has been at the Dharmapala Building, The Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 1UD.

24 July 1926
Founded by Anagārika Dharmapāla; first premises open in Ealing, the first Buddhist monastery established outside Asia.
1926–1994
The Vihara moves through several premises in London, and the monks return to Ceylon during the Second World War. [Intermediate premises and dates to be confirmed against the official history.]
1994
The Trust moves the Vihara to its present home, the Dharmapala Building, The Avenue, Chiswick, on 21 May.
2026
The London Buddhist Vihara celebrates its Centenary — a century of Dhamma, compassion and service.

Our founders

Anagārika Dharmapāla and Mrs Mary Foster Robinson

The Vihara owes its existence to two people: the Sri Lankan Buddhist reformer who imagined it, and the benefactor whose generosity built it.

Portrait to be added

Founder

Anagārika Dharmapāla

1864–1933

Born Don David Hewavitarne in Colombo, he gave up a life of wealth to work for the revival of Buddhism, taking the name Anagārika, "the homeless one". He founded the Maha Bodhi Society on 31 May 1891, spoke for Theravāda Buddhism at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, and campaigned for the return of Bodh Gaya to Buddhist care.

He wanted a vihara in London with resident monks from Ceylon. In 1930 he established the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust to carry the work forward, and was ordained as a bhikkhu. He died at Sarnath, India, in 1933.

Portrait to be added

Principal benefactor

Mrs Mary Foster Robinson

1844–1930

A philanthropist of Hawaiian and British parentage, she met Anagārika Dharmapāla in 1893 when his ship stopped at Honolulu, and became the largest single supporter of his life's work, a generosity he called "unparalleled".

The Foster Fund paid, wholly or in part, for the Vihara's first home at Ealing in 1926, the Maha Bodhi Society's headquarters in Kolkata, the Mulagandhakuti Vihara at Sarnath, and schools, orphanages and dispensaries across India and Sri Lanka. Each year on her birthday the Trust offers alms in her memory.

Adapted from "Anagarika Dharmapala" by Andrew Scott, The Maha Bodhi, April–June 1981, and the Vihara's own records. All names, dates and details to be confirmed against the official history before publication.

The Sangha

Resident monks

The Vihara has been served by resident bhikkhus from Sri Lanka since 1926. It is led today by the Head Monk, supported by resident Dhammaduta monks appointed by the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust.

Most Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera Head Monk of the London Buddhist Vihara · Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain

Ven. Tawalama Bandula Thera Vihara administration · Principal of the Dhamma School

The Head Monk's portrait is from Wikimedia (by Anuradha Dullewe Wijeyeratne, CC BY-SA 3.0) and is still to be replaced with the Vihara's own photograph. Ven. Tawalama Bandula Thera's photograph was supplied directly by him and cropped for the web.

Past and heritage

Former heads and the Dhammaduta mission

The Vihara has been led by a succession of senior monks from Sri Lanka, among them Ven. Dr H. Saddhatissa and Ven. Dr Medagama Vajiragnana; the author Ven. Narada was among the resident monks in the 1950s. Their work is part of the wider Sri Lankan Dhammaduta ("Dhamma-messenger") mission in Britain that Anagārika Dharmapāla began.

[Full list, titles and service periods to be confirmed against the official history.]

How the Vihara is cared for

The Vihara is under the care of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust in Sri Lanka.
Resident bhikkhus are Dhammaduta monks appointed by the Trust.
Day-to-day matters are handled by the Vihara Management Committee.

[The Vihara's governing document and registered charity details to be confirmed by the Vihara before publication.]