Sunday Times 2
London Buddhist Vihara holds service for late Queen and to bless new King
View(s):The London Buddhist Vihara, the oldest Buddhist temple in the United Kingdom started by Anagarika Dhar-mapala in 1926, held a memorial service on Tuesday, September 13, in remembrance of the late Queen Elizabeth II and to bless the newly proclaimed King Charles III.
The Mayor of the London Borough of Ealing, Mohinder Midha and the Mayor’s Consort Harban Midha attended the programme as special invited guests.
Head of the London Buddhist Vihara, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain Most Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Na-yaka Thera and all the resident monks conducted the religious programme.
A monk speaks at the event in the presence of the Mayor of Ealing. (Pic courtesy: Tissa Madawela)
Ven Seelawimala Nayaka Thera welcoming the gathering said: “Her Majesty the Queen was a huge inspiration to many. She travelled the globe, including the Commonwealth countries, on State visits connecting the world togeth-er. In her first visit to Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, she fondly remembered the warmth and affection she and Prince Philip received from the masses in every place she visited. She said in an interview on BBC television: “I still re-member the wonderful occasion in Kandy, central Ceylon, where I had to address the gathering of dignitaries in an exquisitely decorated open audience hall used by the former Kandyan Kings.” She was referring to the Magul Maduwa near the Dalanda Maligawa, in Kandy.
The Chief Sangha Nayaka wished the new King, Charles III good health and long life to serve the nation and the Commonwealth and recalled his visit to the Vihara in the aftermath of the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka in 2004 “to show support and solidarity to all those in Sri Lanka and elsewhere who suffered so terribly as a result of that in-comprehensible disaster.”
The Mayor of the London Borough of Ealing, Councillor Mohinder Midha gave a short speech expressing her sad-ness. She said: “Late Queen Elizabeth II was a wonderful person who did her utmost to serve the country and the Commonwealth during many years of her Reign. We all have so much respect for her. She will be missed greatly in these difficult times.”
The service concluded with chanting of the Buddhist Meththa Suththa.