AN INTRODUCTION TO DIAMOND BUDDHIST CENTRE, UK
Back Ground
After the third millennium thousands of Nepalese (British Gurkha Ex-Army personnel) started to migrate into United Kingdom. Many of these ex-army personnel from Gurkha community has now been permanently settled in Royal Borrow of Greenwich, London Borrow of Bexleyheath and in South East London areas. Majority of these Ex-Gurkhas predominantly practice Buddhism as religion. There are more than thousand households living in this area from this community alone. Nepalese has sentimental attachment with Lord Buddha and his philosophy. Lord Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, some two thousand six hundred years ago. Buddhism is one of the major world religions. Since the arrival of Buddhist community in South East London, the practice of the faith also started consistently from time to time in different venues of South East Region of London.
Requirement of a Buddhist Temple
Due to lack of Buddhist Temple for a large Nepalese community in this locality, the Buddhist followers in this region have been hiring different venues on rental basis from time to time to organize ritual practices in different venues. At times, it felt extremely hard to get the venues for the practices. Having no alternatives, the Buddhist community from Nepalese living in this area had to travel far away in search of a Buddhist temple. The only Nepalese Buddhist temple is located a two-hour drive from South East London at Aldershot, Hampshire. The senior citizens from Buddhist community have remarkably not easy to get there on routine basis.
Practicing own belief is the fundamental right for all mankind. The state always emphasizes to promote and practice the belief of their citizens. London has a unique diversity of all faiths. People are living peacefully maintaining the harmony among them. We have noticed that people from other faiths living in these areas have their own place such temples, churches, and mosques to practice their beliefs. Thus, we have been trying to get a proper venue in this area since the very beginning. We tried to contact councils to felicitate us any vacant hall on lease or by any means. Despite our hard effort, we could get any support from the local councils. We managed to establish a non-profit organization in the year 2016 and got registered in the Company House as non-profit religious organization to buy or manage a Buddhist temple. Ever since, we are raising funds from our life members and trustees.
What is Diamond Buddhist Centre, UK (DBC UK)?
Basically, Diamond Buddhist Centre, UK has multiple objectives which are reflected in the constitution of this organization (posted in the website). Diamond word is taken from the Diamond Sutra (Sanskrit: Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā, a Mahāyāna (Buddhist) Sũtra, to name this organization. Mostly Nepalese living in this area are the follower of Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayāna, Mahāyāna). However, the organization welcome all sects Gurus and lay practitioners to practice the Buddhism in DBC UK. Keeping in view of the growing number of students and practitioners in UK, it has felt to establish a Buddhist Centre to organize routine practice of the faith in South East region of London. Diamond Buddhist Centre, UK was established on 5th of March 2016 under the leadership of Mr Sumal Kumar Gurung by the Buddhist community living in South East London area.
Present trend of Buddhism Practice.
As mentioned above, Buddhism in South East London has been practicing by many Buddhist followers since decade ago on various venues after they permanently settled down in this locality. Under the management of community leaders from Nepalese community, the Gurus (faith leaders) visiting UK on each year have been organising religious events and half a dozen of religious events are conducted throughout a year.
Lord Buddha’s Anniversary and Peace Rally.
Every year Lord Buddha Anniversary is observed with divine dedications by the community. Thousands of followers take part with deepest faith. A peace rally by the Buddhist community has been organized since last five years under the coordination of Mr Sumal Kumar Gurung, President of Diamond Buddhist Centre UK.
Object of the Buddhist Temple
Community practice of Buddhism in a temple means to cleanse the heart and mind to bring peace and love for all sentient beings to allow insight compassion from the reverend Gurus. It is anticipated that thousands of the practitioners shall be benefitted from the Buddhist Temple especially to older and vulnerable practitioners once a temple is established. The temple aims to open for all walk of life for practice, study and perform the rituals. Since all the faiths have their churches, temples and mosques, a Buddhist temple in this area shall motivate all the Buddhist followers. Its purpose is to provide a place for contemplation, study, and meditation and through this to help with the most important task of preserving and spreading Lord Buddha’s teachings in this rapidly changing world for the benefit of all sentient beings.
Practice and Plan for the future
As mentioned above, we have been practicing Buddhism in different venues i.e. vacant pub, vacant school halls and available churches on rental basis. We are now looking for a permanent place of practice. We have already negotiated with other communities to support our aim. The faith leaders/trustees from other areas have also agreed to help us. Our immediate plan is to rent/lease a hall for few years to practice the faith. Secondly, we will generate fund raising through various religions programmes to buy a temple or a piece of land where we can build a Buddhist temple. We strongly believe that within 2 to 3 years period fund raising for a Buddhist temple can be accomplished. All generous donors are welcome to contribute the organization.
