Bhante's Visit to New York

The Rubin Museum of Art in New York, one of the leading museums of Buddhist art in the world, has invited the Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero to act as advisor and participate in a programme on the Dhammapada, called The Way of the Buddha.

This stage Drama is directed by Nicole Ansari Cox and includes performances by Ellen Burstyn, Brian Cox and Linus Roache.

Bhante Rewatha said “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to teach about the teaching of the Buddha to people who are artistic and who respect other religions. A drama is a brilliant and sensitive way of giving a message to the community. Even in Buddhist countries ,artists use Buddhist stories as a plot for their productions .In ancient times the village temple preaching hall (Dharmasala) was the theatre. They produced dramas based on the Jataka stories.

I carefully read the script of this drama written by Nicole Ansari Cox. I was fascinated by her writings. She has written as a Buddhist scholar. This drama is academic and very classical. She has written very deep philosophy in very simple language and in a very artistic and dramatic way without damaging the original content of the Dhammapada. I think that this is the best way to present this kind of deep message to the modern busy and stressful society.
I met Nicole and Brian at their wedding ceremony and was invited to conduct a blessing ceremony for them and their friends.On that day I felt they would do a great work for the community .They recently came to see me during their holiday in Scotland. That day we discussed the Dhammapada. It was lovely to see two artists, husband and wife, working together and sharing their experience and interest in one piece of artwork. I am very much looking forward seeing this production and working with this wonderful down to earth couple and their friends in New York.”

We wish him a safe Journey.

NB.We will be doing the Friday Meditation class this week but due to Bhante’s Visit to New York we have to cancel other classes on next week. (14,15,17th October)

Visit to Samye Ling

Visit to Samye Ling


The members of the Friday meditation group and both monks enjoyed a day out at the Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in Dumfriesshire on Sunday 10th August. This was an open day celebrating the 20th anniversary of the monastery

This was the first experience for Bhante Wimalananda of visiting a Vaijrayana Temple.
He was very excited to see the beautiful shrine and the monks with their Tibetan Robes- an unexpected sight in Scotland!

Bhante Rewatha and members of the group met Lama Yashe, the head monk , who welcomed every one to the temple and was handed a report on the Scottish Centre for Child Development in Sri Lanka in response to a request from the Rokpa Trust,.
of which he is chairman and who had shown an interest in supporting our charity work .We hope that the trust will be able to work with the Vihara in helping the orphaned children.

We were delighted to meet Mr & Mrs Murray, their son and grandson who had come to the temple from Tweedbank to welcome their friends from Glasgow.

The day passed very pleasantly with a delicious lunch, traditional entertainment and time to explore the Peace Garden and visit the many highlights of this peaceful and beautiful sanctuary. Just before 5pm we gathered in the shrine to listen to chanting and the playing of traditional instruments. At this point Ven. Rewata seemed to vanish and we assumed that he had joined the monks and nuns in the chanting. However, he was unable to join in as the chants were in the Tibetan language with which he is not familiar. As a special honour he was invited to beat one of the large drums. This was a great treat for him and one of the highlights of a perfect day.

We are very grateful to Ian Paton our driver of the day and the organiser of the trip.

The First ever Theravada Library opens in Scotland

The first ever Theravada Buddhist Library opens in Scotland.


At the new premises of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara Dr and Mrs Sirisena opened a new Buddhist library on 29th June just before their farewell blessing and Puja.

Venerable Rewatha Thero mentioned this library was named in memory of Mrs.Priyathi Sirisena as an appreciation of Dr and Mrs Sirisena’s contribution to the Vihara.

This library is the first ever Theravada Buddhist library in Scotland which will contain Tripitaka (Pali Cannons) and Atthakatha (commentary books).

Special Blessing and Thanks Giving Ceremony for Dr & Mrs Sirisena

Special blessing and farewell Puja for Dr & Mrs Sirisena

The devotees of the Vihara organised a farewell Puja and Dana meal on 29th of June 2008 to honour Dr and Mrs Sirisena who are leaving to go back home to Sri Lanka for good after 32 years of living in Scotland.

The Venerable Rewatha, head monk of Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara highly appreciated his kindness as a devotee and advisor to the Vihara and the great help which was given by him in assisting the continuation of the Dhammaduta work in Scotland . He mentioned that without his financial contribution, this Vihara would not exist in Scotland. The head monk further mentioned his help as a consultant psychiatrist in aiding Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka.

Mr Ian Paton on behalf of the trustees of the SBV Charity and Ms Champika Kariyawasam on behalf of the devotees of the Vihara also made thanks giving speeches.

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you for your support.

Scotland’s Buddhist Vihara premises’ roof and structural work has been completed.
The work started in November 2007 and was completed by30th May 2008.The resident monks continued their Dhamma work while residing at 2002 Maryhill Road whilst the work continued..
After the roof and structural work was complete, we had to do our own painting and decorating. It took nearly a month to complete.

The resident monks did not have heating or hot water for nearly 9 days. They had to live in a messy and dusty atmosphere. On seeing their difficulties, very close friends and devotees of the Vihara started the decorating.

The monks greatly appreciated Mr & Mrs Murray’s hard work and time. They came all the way from the Scottish Borders and started the cleaning and decorating. Mr & Mrs Mudalige kindly provided the accommodation for them during their stay in Glasgow. Mr Ian Paton came to work on the vihara almost every day and sponsored the professional charges.

We are very grateful to Ms Shira Kirkhope for her love, kindness and generosity towards the project.

This wonderful place would not be open for the public so soon without the financial support of those named above and Mr & Mrs.Hemachandra, Dr & Mrs.Sirisena, Mr & Mrs B.D.Ginda ,Mrs Kodikara , Dr. Thin Thin Saing,Mr & Mrs Nalaka Ranasinghe and Mr. Maurice Bhuglah.

The volunteers did great work and now enjoy a beautiful Vihara.

The devotees appreciated the hard work of new resident monk Venerable Wimalananda (Podi Hamuduruvo,Wee Bhante)

May this merit give you happiness and good health.

Progress Report on Vihara Renovations

Day 3
Work is progressing and all rooms are beginning to show improvement.
Due to the hard work by the painters, the "house doctor"and volunteers.

Vihara Renovations

The alterations at the Vihara in 1 Caldercuilt Road have now been completed.
This entails a complete redecoration of the Vihara.
Because of the extent of the work involved, professional decorators have had to be employed. Costing considerable amount of money .
Your support and generosity would be greatly appreciated in helping to pay for the work involved.
If you would like to contribute to……


01. Laying a carpet in the shrine room.
02. In the monk’s bed rooms.
03. In the library room.
04. Re tiling the bath room
05. Making blinds for the shrine room,monks bed rooms and library.
06. Paint 60 litres
07. Professional chargers are approx.£1000.

It is hoped that the work at the Vihara will be completed by the 20th of June 08.
Any contributions however small would be gratefully accepted and should be made directly to the Vihara.