BGKT 1991-2011 News

Updated 8 May 2021

2011

See   https://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/bgkt-2011-news/

2010

See https://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/bgkt-2010-news/

2009

See https://www.buddhistgroupofkendal.co.uk/bgkt-2009-news/

2008

October 2008
The World Congress of Faiths Common Ground Interreligious Engagement Project published “Reflections on Meditation: Buddhist Meditation”, The Buddhist Group of Kendal, Interreligious Insight: A Journal of Dialogue and Engagement, 6 (4) (October, 2008) 56-59.
Available online at
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/35518084/reflections-on-meditation-interreligious-insight/4

October 2008
The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation in Taiwan, reprinted Introducing Buddhism (by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya and Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî) with Requirements and Ceremonies for The Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, (by BGKT and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara) as an appendix. This was distributed internationally. (The book’s code is EN074.) The book is free. (www.budaedu.org)

October 2008
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî was the subject of an article “Buddhist Precepts and Lay Dhamma Teaching in the West)”, in Yasodhara Newsletter on International Buddhist Women’s Activities, (October-December, 2008), 25(1) No 97, 15-17. (ISSN 0875-1996)

July 2008
Introducing Buddhism (by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya and Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî) was published in Sri Lanka by the BCC Buddhist Cultural Centre in 1997. On 20th December 1997 Introducing Buddhism was launched with 24 other books under the patronage of Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia and Singapore. The BCC reprinted Introducing Buddhism in July 2008. (The book’s code is B548.) (ISBN 955-9219-90-1) (www.buddhistcc.com)

June 2008
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî walked in the Civic Procession for Mayors Sunday in Kendal, and attended the Service and the celebrations in the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall, on June 15.

June 2008
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî taught Carlisle Buddhist Group (Theravada) for the first time, on 10th June.

June 2008
BGKT recited The Mittanisansa Sutta (Discourse on the Advantages of True Friendship), at The MBC Manchester Buddhist Conference on 7th June in Oldham.

June 2008
CMDM Cumbria Moon Day Meditation started. The three Theravada Buddhist Groups in Cumbria (Carlisle, Kendal and Keswick) have started meditating at the same time 7-9 pm on the four moon days (Full, New and Half moon according to the Forest Sangha calendar). Everyone can meditate at home, knowing that the other meditators in Cumbria are doing the same. Any Theravada Buddhists resident in Cumbria who are not involved with the three groups are welcome to participate. (For further information see the CMDM Cumbria Moon Day Meditation page on this website.)

May 2008
The Kendal Town Council Annual General Meeting and Mayor Making Ceremony for Mayor Councillor Clare Feeney-Johnson was held in Kendal Town Hall on 15th May 2008. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili (Jacquetta Gomes) and Titus Gomes represented BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada)

May 2008
Ajahn Amaro Abbot of Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery (California) and an Upasaka [Buddhist layman] celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 1983 walk between Chithurst Cittaviveka Buddhist Monastery in West Sussex and Harnham Ratanagiri Monastery in Northumberland. They retraced their steps and met people they had met in 1983 including Jacquetta Gomes, whom they met in Manchester. They visited BGKT on 12th May.

The original walk was described in the Book Tudong: the long Road North by Ajahn Amaro published in 1984.

Details of the visit are in the Westmorland Gazette archives
www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/archive
Search for Buddhist Group of Kendal

March 2008
Councillor Gwen Murfin, Mayor of Kendal (2007-2008), invited Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera (Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Oldham) to lead a celebration and Pali language Blessing Ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall on 30th March, to celebrate Upasaka Sumedha’s 50th and a lay attendee of BGKT’s 70th birthday.
This event was covered by Local Choice Magazine: Lakes Edition (August, 2008).


2007

October 2007
Upasaka Dhammika read the Maha Saropama Sutta (The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood) at the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Katina celebrations on 28 October.

October 2007
Councillor Gwen Murfin, Mayor of Kendal (2007-2008), requested that a celebration Pali Blessing Ceremony be conducted in the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall on 11th October 2007, to celebrate Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî inclusion in Burkes Landed Gentry Volume III, England’s North West including Contemporary People of Distinction, as a Contemporary Person of Distinction. An Osmanthus Burkwoodii bush was planted in Kendal Unitarian Chapel’s Multifaith Memorial Garden to commemorate this event.

Details of the celebrations in the Mayor’s Parlour are in the Westmorland Gazette archives
www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/archive
Search for Buddhist Group of Kendal

September 2007

A Fire Officer from Kendal Fire Station asked Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes from BGKT to represent minority faiths at the Kendal Neighbourhood Forum meeting at Kendal Town Hall on 26th September 2007 where the Kendal Fire Station Community Room was announced.

July 2007
BGKT attended a day retreat organized by Ketumati Buddhist Vihara in Oldham, and led by Buddhist Nun Bhikkhuni Kusama from Sri Lanka.

June 2007
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera and Venerable Professor Dhammavihari visited BGKT, on June 24th.

June 2007
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara and BGKT jointly wrote The booklet, Requirements and Ceremonies for The Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, (by BGKT and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara) was published for international distribution as an appendix to Introducing Buddhism (by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya and Jacquetta Gomes) by The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation in Taiwan, in June 2007. (The book’s code is EN074.) The book is free. (www.budaedu.org)

June 2007
Upasika Panna received the Eight Lifetime Precepts (an expansion of the Ajivatthamaka Sila) from Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera, at a retreat at Gaia House (Devon) in June 2007. Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera presented Upasika Panna with a certificate of having taken The Eight Lifetime Precepts. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa presented Upasika Panna with a sash at the BGKT meeting on 24th June 2007. (See May 2006 for an explanation of the sash.)

2006

November 2006

The NBO Network of Buddhist Organisations Development Worker visited the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) on 31st October and 1st November 2006. His account of the visit was posted on 23rd November 2006 and is also available at

https://devworkernbo.typepad.com/nbo_development/2006/11/

October 2006

Upasaka Dhammika read the Vitakka Santhana Sutta (MN 20) (The Removal of Distracting Thoughts) at the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 29th October.

Ocober 2006

“News from Oldham England”, Yasodhara – Newsletter on International Buddhist Women’s Activities, (October 2006) (ISSN 0875-1996)

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/News+from+Oldham+England.-a0158093983

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Yasodhara-Newsletter+on+International+Buddhist+Women%27s+Activities/2006/October/1-p5312

https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Yasodhara-Newsletter+on+International+Buddhist+Women%27s+Activities-p2312

September 2006
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera and Venerable Rathana Jothi visited BGKT, on September 24th and chanted for Upasaka Jotima’s 60th and Upasika Panna’s 70th birthdays.

August 2006
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera and Venerable Udagama Jinalankara visited BGKT, on August 27th.

2006 July
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili was included in Burkes Landed Gentry Volume III, England’s North West including Contemporary People of Distinction, as a Contemporary Person of Distinction. Burke’s Peerage and Gentry had sent her a letter which stated that “…this book focuses primarily on successful Northwest people…to truly represent the Northwest today…in recognition of your place in Northwest life you have been chosen as one of over 3000 Northwest entrants whose names will appear alphabetically in the new reference work”. (www.burkes-peerage.net)

May 2006
Wesak celebrations were held at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Oldham on 14th May 2006. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera made presentations to senior members of BGKT. Cream sashes were presented in order of seniority to those who have taken Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for life: Upasakas Sumedha, Mahinda and Punna (with Venerable Piyatissa as Preceptor) and Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî (who took the Bodhicari Precepts with Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya as Preceptor). These sashes must be worn when they administer the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) in a meeting, in the absence of a Bhikkhu (Monk) or Ayya (Nun). Sangha Authorised Dhamma Teacher badges were presented in order of seniority to Titus Gomes (authorised at the London Buddhist Vihara in 1980), Upasika Jayasili, Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda. (As far as we are aware this is the first time such presentations have been made in the UK.)
BGKT presented a tapestry of the Buddha designed and sewn by an attendee of BGKT to Venerable Piyatissa to hang in the main hall of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara.

May 2006
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara and BGKT jointly wrote a booklet, Requirements and Ceremonies for The Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate. This booklet was issued as part of the Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Wesak Celebrations in May 2006.

2005

October 2005
Upasaka Sumedha gave a talk on My Experience as a Buddhist, and BGKT recited The Mittanisansa Sutta (Discourse on the Advantages of True Friendship), at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 30th October.

June 2005
The respected Indian publishers, Motilal Banarsidass, in their MLBD Newsletter: A Monthly Indological Bibliography, XXVII (6) (June, 2005)14, included Jacquetta Gomes’s (Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî) article “The Development and Use of the Eight Precepts for lay practitioners, Upasakas and Upasikas in Theravada Buddhism in the West”.

April 2005

Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera and Venerable Kovida visited BGKT, on April 24th. Venerable Kovida led a one day retreat at Fellside Centre.

2004

December 2004
BGKT helped celebrate the 15th anniversary of the founding of Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) on 4th December 1989. The Lakeland Echo newspaper and Cumbria’s Green Handbook covered the anniversary.

August 2004
Ajahn Pannyavaddho Thera 1925 – 2004 died in Thailand on 18th August. He was the most senior western monk in Thailand. An obituary by Than Ajahn Maha Boowa appeared in The Middle Way: Journal of the Buddhist Society 79 (4) (February, 2005) 219-226.

Mrs Jane Browne kindly donated several books from his library to BGKT’s library. Ajahn Pannyavaddho was very important in the history of Buddhism in Britain, and we are honoured to have his books in our library. Mrs Browne also sent a CD of his talks and one of his funeral. We are very grateful to her.

May 2004
The Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) (BGKT) and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara have been jointly involved in the development of the Eight Precepts and lay Buddhist Dhamma and meditation teaching in the West. Details are given in Jacquetta Gomes’s (Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili) article “The Development and Use of the Eight Precepts for lay practitioners, Upasakas and Upasikas in Theravada Buddhism in the West”, Contemporary Buddhism Volume 5(1) (May, 2004) 47-63 (ISSN 1463-9947)

Available on-line at https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1463994042000249535

2004
Introducing Buddhism, by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya and Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî, was published for free distribution worldwide, by Inward Path Publishers in Penang, Malaysia as Buddhism: A Quick Introduction. (An Inward Journey Book IJ084/04) (ISBN 983-9439-77-4) (www.buddhanet.net and www.inwardpath.org)

May 2004

“Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) celebrated Vesak”, The Westmorland Gazette 14 May 2004.

2003

August 2003
The 3rd edition of Introducing Buddhism by Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Aggamaha Pandita and Jacquetta Gomes (Jayasili) was published with 4 different covers by BGKT, The Buddhist Society London, The Buddhist Society of Manchester, and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Oldham. (This booklet was originally published by The Buddhist Society London in 1988, to accompany the Buddhist Society’s Introducing Buddhism Course, on which Jacquetta Gomes was one of the teachers. A second edition was published in 1993.)

2002

October 2002
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili organized a day for Rt Rev Patrick O’Donoghue Roman Catholic Bishop of Lancaster to meet representatives from different faiths in Kendal, on 8th October. He visited The Quaker Tapestry, the Tapestry Tearooms and the Unitarian Chapel The visit was covered by the Westmorland Gazette newspaper.

October 2002
Upasaka Mahinda was presented with a Dhamma Teachers certificate and Upasaka Punna was presented with a Certificate for Observing the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life, at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 27th October. The presentation was made by Venerable Kirindigalle Dhammaratana Maha Thera Chief Sangha Nayaka of Scandinavia and Head of the Stockholm Buddhist Vihara.

September 2002
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera was the Preceptor when Upasaka Punna took the the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life on 29th September.

June 2002

BGKT sponsored a seat in the Quaker Tapestry Tearooms at the Quaker Friends Meeting House, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BGKT. The plaque on the chair reads Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) held its first meeting at Kendal Friends Meeting House 10th January 1992.

2001

November 2001
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili talked to the Cumbria Sea of Faith (SoF) Group about Buddhism, on 13th November.

November 2001
Upasaka Sumedha was presented with a Dhamma Teachers Certificate and Upasaka Dhammika was presented with a Certificate for Observing the Panca Sila (Five Precepts), at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 4th November. The presentation was made by Venerable Botale Ganissara Thera of Sri Ketharama, Sri Lanka.

October 2001
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera was the Preceptor when Upasaka Dhammika took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 14th October.

October 2001
Journeys of Faith Day for Baha’i Group, Iona Group and BGKT at Kendal United Reformed Church on 13th October.

June and July 2001
Venerable Nagama Hemaloka led a two day retreat for BGKT at Fellside Centre Kendal, on 30th June and 1st July.

March 2001

An Upasaka founder of ALBA Amaravati Lay Buddhist association talked to BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) at Fellside Centre on 18th March.

2000

November 2000
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa and Venerable Athurupana Vachissara visited BGKT, on November 19th.

October 2000
Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda were presented with Certificates for Observing the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life, at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 22nd October. The presentation was made by Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Vishvakeerthi Sri Sasana Sobhana Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara (1928-2006). This event and photographs of the ceremony were reported in the Sri Lankan press. Upasaka Mahinda spent a holiday in Sri Lanka and was recognised in Peradeniya Gardens, Kandy by a girl who had seen his photograph in the Sri Lankan press.

October 2000
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa was the Preceptor when Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda took the the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life on 1st October. (As far as we are aware this is the first time these Precepts have been taken for Life in the UK.)

July 2000
25th anniversary of Jacquetta Gomes becoming Upasika Jayasili, with Venerable Narada Maha Thera as the Preceptor in Sri Lanka, on 30th July 1975. This was celebrated at BGKT by Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Vishvakeerthi Sri Sasana Sobhana Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara (1928-2006), and Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera, on 30th July 2000.

July 2000
Venerable Nagama Hemaloka led a one day retreat for BGKT on 23rd July.

May 2000
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera and Venerable Sumana visited BGKT, on May 28th.

May 2000
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham), Venerable Phramaha Laow visited BGKT, on May 26th.

May 2000
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasîlî was one of people who lit the traditional lamp at the Wesak celebrations at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara on 21st May.

March 2000
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham), Venerable T. Sutadara and Venerable I. Chandrabodhi visited BGKT, on March 17th.

February 2000
First BGKT Puja meeting on 21 February.

1999

October 1999
The first visit by Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera (Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara) to BGKT was on 9th October 1999. He has visited Kendal regularly since then. Visits he made with other Bhikkhus (Monks) are recorded above.

October 1999
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham), Venerable P. Sorata Thera from Peradeniya Sri Lanka, and Venerable N. Pannaloka visited BGKT, on October 14th.

September 1999
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham) and Venerable Sorata Thera from Peradeniya Sri Lanka visited BGKT and Windermere, on September 30th.

August 1999
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham) was the Preceptor when Upasaka Punna took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 26th August. Venerable Shashan Rakshit Sramanalso participated.

July 1999
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham), Venerable Subodhi, and a Thai Bhikkhu, visited BGKT on 29th July.

June 1999
BGKT visited Harnham Ratanagiri Monastery in Northumberland on 14th June.

May 1999
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara opened in Crumpsall Manchester. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera is the Head of the Vihara. The Vihara later moved to Oldham and then to Manchester.

May 1999
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham), Venerable Subodhi, Venerable Vipassi, Venerable Shasana Rakshit Sraman and Venerable Buddhanand Biplab visited BGKT and Fell Foot Park Lake Windermere on 27th May.

May 1999
BGKT visited the Mahasi Dhamma Fellowship Burmese Buddhist Vihara in Billinge Lancashire, on 16th May.

April 1999
Venerable Subodhi from Sri Lanka visited BGKT on April 8th.

February 1999
Reverend Saido Kennaway from Throssel Hole Priory (Soto Zen Buddhism) visited BGKT, on 11th February.

1998

August 1998
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham) and Venerable Chandakirthi, Venerable Dhammaloka and Venerable Sirinivasa visited BGKT on 16th August.

July 1998
BGKT visited the Mahasi Dhamma Fellowship Burmese Buddhist Vihara in Billinge Lancashire, on 18th July.

July 1998
Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru died on 18th July.

1997

September 1997
Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham) was the Preceptor when Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 27th September. He authorized Isa from BGKT to teach meditation. The  Kendal Unitarian Chapel Minister and his wife attended.

1996

June 1996
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili and Upasaka Nanda from Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) attended the Upasika Lay Groups Day at Harnham Ratanagiri Monastery on 29th June.

May 1996
BGKT held a retreat at Lattendales Quaker Retreat Centre, Greystoke Cumbria from 11th-13th May.

April 1996
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili attended the first time in the UK, a Dhammacarya (Dharma Teacher) of the Order of Interbeing of the Community of Interbeing, gave the Three Refuges and The Five Precepts to two lay women, at a Day of Mindfulness held at a house in Ravenstonedale, Cumbria, on 21st April.

“This event makes history both for us and for the Order of Interbeing, being the first time that this ceremony has been conducted in the UK without a visiting teacher from overseas having to be present. the ceremony is an expression of the individual’s intention to make the Buddhist path the central inspiration in their life.” Zen Therapy News, (May, 1996) 2.

1995

April 1995
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera visited BGKT from 13th-22nd April. He led a retreat at Lattendales Quaker Retreat Centre for BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada), at Lattendales Quaker Retreat Centre at Greystoke in Cumbria from 13th-19th April.

April 1995
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera was the Preceptor when Upasika Canda took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 14th April.

1994

September 1994
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera was the Preceptor when Upasaka Sudharma took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 30th September in London.

August 1994
Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Aggamaha was the Preceptor when Jacquetta Gomes Upasika Jayasîlî was the first person outside the USA to undertake the 12 Bodhicari Precepts at the London Buddhist Vihara on 3rd August 1994. (These Precepts are an expansion of the Ajivatthamaka Sîla (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth).)

July 1994
Jotima and Nanda from Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) became Upasakas, took Refuge in the Triple Gem and undertook to observe Panca Sila (The Five Precepts), at Harnham Ratanagiri Buddhist Monastery, Northumberland, on Asalha (Esala) Puja Full Moon Day 22nd July 1994.

1993

December 1993
Titus Gomes visited Keswick Buddhist Group for the first time on December 14. He has taught meetings there since then.

November 1993
Publication of Buddhism: (Lectures and Essays on Buddhism) Buddhism: (Lectures and Essays on Buddhism) by Venerable Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Thero, Published by Samayawardena Colombo Sri Lanka. (1993) (ISBN 955-570-038-9).
https://quangduc.com/p52208a68742/buddhism-lectures-and-essays

Chapter 7 Family Life: (A talk given at Chiswick Vihara at an English Buddhist girl’s wedding)
https://quangduc.com/p52208a68822/family-life

July and August 1993
Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera visited BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada), from 30 July to 2 August. On 31 July he had a dana lunch at Kendal Unitarian Chapel at the invitation of the Kendal Unitarian Chapel Minister.

1992

May 1992

Jacquetta Gomes Upasika Jayasîlî visited Keswick Buddhist Group for the first time on May 5th. She has organized Wesak and Esala celebrations there, and taught meetings there since then.

January 1992

The first public open BGKT meeting at Fellside Centre was held on 11 January 1992. BGKT continues to hold its open meetings at Fellside Centre. Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera taught at Fellside Centre in 1993 and 1995. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera, Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, has been conducting teaching sessions for BGKT at Fellside Centre since 1999. Other Bhikkhus (Monks) have visited BGKT at Fellside Centre. Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Vishvakeerthi Sri Sasana Sobhana, Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara (1928-2006) taught at Fellside Centre in 2000. Venerable Witharandeniye Kassapa Maha Thera (Head of MIBAUK The Midlands International Buddhist Association in the UK in Birmingham) was the Preceptor when the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) were offered for the first time in Kendal to Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda in 1997. The Unitarian Minister and his wife attended.

January 1992

The first BGKT meeting at the Quakers Friends Meeting House in Kendal was held on 10 January 1992. In 2002 BGKT sponsored a seat in the Quaker Tapestry Tearooms at the Meeting House, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of BGKT. The plaque on the chair reads Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) held its first meeting at Kendal Friends Meeting House 10th January 1992. Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera visited the Quaker Tapestry in 1995.

1991

BGKT was founded in September 1991. Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Aggamaha Pandita Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru DLitt DLitt (1896-1998) (one of the world’s most senior Theravada Buddhist Bhikkhus (Monks), and Venerable Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera (an internationally respected meditation master and author who has been resident in the USA for many years), agreed to become BGKT’s spiritual advisors.

Theravada