January 1st 2020 at The London Buddhist Vihara

From early in the morning till late at night on the 1st January 2020, a large number of devotees from Sri Lankan, British and many other communities living in the UK visited the London Buddhist Vihara to offer prayers and take part in the various religious programmes held. Buddha Puja, Buddha Vandana, Dana and Pariththa Chanting were held through out the day. Special arrangements were made to chant Seth Pirith during pre- arranged times of the day. Head of the Vihara Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain Most Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera, Ven. Thawalama Bandula Thera and Ven. Kalugamuwe Kassapa Thera participated in these programmes. Mid day Dana for the Mahasangha was offered by the Sri Lanka High Commission in the UK.

Ven. Seelawimala Nayaka Thera in his Anusasanaa said " It was a great pleasure for all at the Vihara to extend their sincere greeting and good wishes to every one visiting the temple on the dawn of a new year as well as a new decade." Ven. Nayaka Thera paid Punyanumodana, expressing his gratitude to every one who helped in various ways to make the 2019 a very productive year for the Vihara. He also reminded every one about receiving Planning Approval for a much-needed Building Extension at the vihara.The proposed building project will include a new first floor extension with 4 bedrooms for resident and visiting monks and ground floor works including relocation of the kitchen, seating area for visitors, additional storage space, relocation of the gents toilet and the ladies toilet, improving the disabled toilet, installing new heating and ventilation systems with the replacement of the existing oil fired boiler and improving the main hall and the sermon hall. The relevant information and the building plans are displayed in the main hall and on the LBV website." Ven. Nayaka Thera respectfully made an appeal for the support and assistance of every one to make this project a reality. " Your kind donations are most welcome in fulfilling this objective for the successful completion of the project within cost and time." Nayaka Thera said. Vihara Management Committee members with the help of other Dayakas offered "Kiri Bath" and refreshments to every one visited the Vihara during the day.

Photographs by Tissa Madawela