Former Abbot’s Day

This day is held to commemorate the abbots of the Buddhapadipa Temple who dedicated their lives to work for the propagation of the Buddha’s teachings. Since 1964, two Thai monks, Phra Chodok Yanasiddhi and Phramaha Vicit Tissadatto, were invited to teach insight meditation at Buddhavihara Hampstead, London. In the same year, the meeting about founding the Thai temple was held by Thai people who lived in the UK. With the generosities of the Thai community, the temple was founded in 1965 at 99 Christ Church Road, Richmond and the King of Thailand gave the name to it, “The Buddhapadipa Temple” (the light of the Buddha). And in 1975, the temple was moved to the present site, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ. Since then the temple has been developing and open to the public.

The beginning of the day is that the people, at 09.30 am, gathered in the main temple. Then the chairman, a representative of H.E. the Thai Ambassador lit the candles. The people asked for five precepts and the leader monk gave them five precepts. Then all the monks chanted the memorial chanting. After chanting, the chairman, a representative of H.E. the Thai Ambassador and people offered offerings to the monks and the monks gave them blessings. At 11.00 am, people offered lunch for the monks, and then they all have lunch together. At 01.00 pm, Dhamma talk was given by Phramaha Sangthong Dhammacaro in the main temple. So on this day, all people make merit dedicated to the former abbots and for themselves.