Temple
Wat Buddhapadipa in London was the first Buddhist temple in the United Kingdom, established by the London Buddhist Temple Foundation with the objective of creating a centre for the dissemination of theoretical and practical Buddhist teachings in Europe.
This temple has been under the Royal Patronage since 1965 when it was originally located on Christ Church Road, Richmond. It was moved to its present site in Calonne Road, Wimbledon Parkside in 1976. With the support of the Royal Thai Government and the Thai people, the Foundation erected an “Ubosot”, a Thai style building for monastic ceremonies. The celebration of monastic boundary, held on October 30, 1982, enabled Wat Buddhapadipa to become a formal temple according to Thai tradition: in fact, the only Thai temple ever built in Europe.
From the start,Wat Buddhapadipa has actively promoted theoretical and practical Buddhism in London as well as in other cities of the United Kingdom and in countries such as the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland. It has thus become one of Europe’s most important Buddhist training centres. In 1986, when the British Museum organized an exhibition “Buddhism : Art and Faith”, a London newspaper even commented that there was no need to go far in order to understand Buddhism, since visits to the British Museum and Wat Buddhapadipa should suffice.
The grounds of the Temple cover a monastic area of approximately four acres in which the Uposatha Hall is situated on an ornamental lake, a small grove, flower garden and an orchard. The Temple consists of the House where the monks live and a cottage. On the ground floor of the House there is a Shrine room, a Dining room, A study, a Library, a Cloak room, an Office, a Kitchen and Telephone room. The rest of the House is the place for the monks. The Uposatha Hall or the Temple is constructed place for the traditional Thai style on the monastic area.
The Buddhapadipa Temple is situated at 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ. You can see also more contact details if you need.
The opening time is from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm: weekdays for the temple ground and weekend for the main temple.
Greetigns. I was wondering if the temple was open to visitors. I would love to visit with my children. Please let me know the hours and days you are open for visits. Many thanks in advance. Lynn
we are open from 9am until 5pm daily
Dear sir/miss
We are five Swedish students, studying in London.
We are currently working on project regarding Buddhism and we are interested in visiting your holy temple.
Is it possible to get a guided tour during our visit and get time to ask several questions? Our group is also very interested in Buddhism meditation and we would much appreciate to be taught or be part of a meditation session.
Best regards, Cornelia Fjelkestam
yes email buddhapadipa@live.com to make appointment
Hi
I would like to come to visit the centre and also interested in the meditation and chanting sessions you do. Please can you tell me a bit more. How i come along, when is a good time etc.
thanks
Deborah
07989 584084
HELLO,
WE ARE OPEN FROM 9AM UNTIL 5PM DAILY.
Hi,
I am a primary school teacher who has recently taken over R.E in a school in Richmond. I am really keen to up the involvement in the teaching of R.E at the school and wondered if you allow groups of children to visit your temple and if there is anyone who would relate aspects of what happens there to children of a primary school age? If so what would be your suggestions etc,
Many thanks, I look forward to your reply,
Louisa
Yes we have school groups visiting the temple
Hello,
I would like to visit one weekend – perhaps this Saturday. It is not very clear on your website when visitors are allowed to come and what can be accessed. Please let me know
Thanks
Visitors can come any day between 9am and 5pm
Hi there
I wanted to know more about the temple. Can you tell me who established it and when. I ask because I used to know a Thai lady who was pivotal in establishing a temple in Richmond a few years ago, and I wondered whether this is the temple she founded.
Many thanks for your help
The Thai Sangha moved here in 1976
Hello,
We are from Wimbledon Chase Primary school and are due to visit on 1st and 3rd July.
I have a query about parking – we wondered if we could park our mini bus in the entrance to the Temple so that the children can walk in safely? We also will have 2 car driving people and was wondering if there is any parking for the Temple visits as the road is a pay and display parking system.
Please do let us know what is best,
Thanks
Miss Baillie
Hello, yes there is room for a minibus and cars.