Updated 3 May 2022
BGKT 2019 NEWS
December 2019
Senior Thai Monk Luang Poh Sudhiro in Kendal and 30th Anniversary Keswick
Luang Poh Sudhiro led a meeting and meditation session for BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) on Thursday 12th December 2019. The meeting celebrated the 30th anniversary on 4th December 2019 of the 1989 founding of Keswick Buddhist Group. Buddhist Monk Bhikkhu Jatapanno accompanied Luang Poh Sudhiro. The Monks were offered a dana lunch on Friday 13th December in Kendal.
Luang Poh Sudhiro visited BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravavda) in 2011 and 2015. He led meetings at Kendal Unitarian Chapel (2011) and at Castle Street Centre Kendal (2015).
At the Civara Dana ceremony of Sammapatipadarama Monastery on 21 November 2010, a member of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand bestowed the title of Phrakhruvinayadhara on Luang Poh Sudhiro in recognition of his outstanding work for the Dhamma [Buddhism]. The prestigious title which emanates from the King of Thailand, is in recognition of one who upholds the vinaya [monastic rules] in an exemplary fashion. There were only 10 holders in the whole Sangha [Community of Buddhist Monks].
“Town’s Buddhist Group Celebrates 30 years”, The Keswick Reminder, No. 6108 (20 December 2019) page 5. (ISSN 2054-2798)
https://www.keswickreminder.co.uk/
November 2019
INTERFAITH WEEK 10 – 17 November 2019
BGKT participated in Inter Faith Week
https://www.interfaithweek.org/
https://www.interfaithweek.org/resources/inter-faith-week-stories-from-2018-inspiration-for-2019
The IFN Interfaith Network for the UK included Kendal
IFN Inter Faith Network for the UK posted Kendal on the Inter Faith Week Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Website.
Kendal is included every year in Events by Town
https://www.interfaithweek.org/events/by-town
2019/2021 A REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE INTER FAITH NETWORK FOR THE UK THROUGH A TIME OF COVID. Kendal is included on page 49.
https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/annual-reviews
https://www.interfaith.org.uk/uploads/IFN_Review_2019_21.pdf
Kendal is included in the Inter Faith Week 2019 Photo Gallery https://dropevent.com/gallery/IFW19
12.11.19 Kendal 8 Day Week
https://www.facebook.com/ifweek/
https://www.facebook.com/ifweek/posts/3204073652952661
https://twitter.com/IFWeek
https://twitter.com/IFWeek/status/1197879733477945345
3.11.19 Kendal Getting Ready for Inter Faith Week
https://www.facebook.com/ifweek/
https://www.facebook.com/ifweek/posts/3204073652952661
https://www.facebook.com/ifweek/photos/a.769764093050308/3166375910055769/?type=3&theater
https://www.instagram.com/ifweek/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4kS2D0jEhm/
https://twitter.com/IFWeek
https://twitter.com/IFWeek/status/1192429971542818818
November 2019
Kendal ICC Family Fun Day 3 November 2019 Buddhist Stall
BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) ran a stall at the Kendal ICC Integrated Care Community Family Fun Day on 3 November 2019 at Kendal Leisure Centre. We were delighted to photograph the Mayor of Kendal Councillor Alvin Finch with our stall.
2019/2021 A REVIEW OF THE WORK OF THE INTER FAITH NETWORK FOR THE UK THROUGH A TIME OF COVID. BGKT is included on page 49.
https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/annual-reviews
https://www.interfaith.org.uk/uploads/IFN_Review_2019_21.pdf
November 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 2 November. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
October 2019
Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) were doubly delighted to be visited by two Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) and Venerable Mawarale Santhindriya on his first visit to England and to The Lake District.
October 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 5 October. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
September 2019
20th Anniversary Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Teaching BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa (born in Sri Lanka) Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, celebrated 20 years of teaching Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group
He led a retreat for the 2 groups on Sunday 29th September at Kendal Fire Station. It is believed he is only the 3rd Buddhist Fire Chaplain in the world. (As far as we are aware, he led the first retreat led by a Buddhist Monk to take place in an operational Fire Station in the UK, at Kendal Fire Station in September 2011.)
The Mayor of Kendal Councillor Alvin Finch invited him and the 2 groups to the Mayors Parlour in Kendal Town Hall on Monday 30th September. The Mayor offered the Monk a dana lunch on behalf of the people of Kendal. Another guest of the Mayor was The Mayor of Dalton Councillor Nick Perie.
Venerable Piyatissa presented the Mayor with a copy of his book An Exposition of Buddhism. The Mayor presented Venerable Piyatissa with a copy of Religion, Belief and Culture in our Community; Cumbrian Supplement (2nd edition).
Kendal Town Council Calendar: Buddhist Group of Kendal – Parlour Meeting
https://www.kendaltowncouncil.gov.uk/event/buddhist-group-of-kendal-parlour-meeting/
September 2019
Buddhist Monk Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led a meditation and Buddhist Teaching meeting for Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) on 25 September 2019.
September 2019
Merz Barn Site Elterwater Cumbria 14th September 2019
The official opening of the Harry Pierce Reading Room & Micro-Museum at Cylinders, Elterwater, Cumbria [the Merz Barn site] was led by Harry’s Grandson William Pierce. This event was part of Heritage Open days.
Jacquetta Gomes secretary of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) gave the closing blessing and chanted in Pali the Metta Sutta [The Discourse on Loving Kindness].
https://merzbarnlangdale.wordpress.com/2019/09/06/invitation-to-the-official-opening-of-the-drawing-office/ https://m.facebook.com/MerzBarnLangdale/posts/2421341968125318
https://www.facebook.com/MerzBarnLangdale/
https://merzbarnlangdale.wordpress.com/
September 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 7 September. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
August 2019
On 3rd August 2019, Kendal resident Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili celebrated the 25th anniversary of taking the Bodhicari Precepts in London with one of the most senior Theravada Buddhist Monks in the world Venerable Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Aggamaha Pandita Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru DLitt DLitt (24th August 1896 -18th July 1998) as the Preceptor. She was the first person in the UK to take these Precepts.
Bodhicaris can be defined as “practitioners of the Buddha Dhamma [Buddhist Teachings] who have attainment of enlightenment as their goal”. Bodhicaris follow Twelve Precepts. Bodhicaris can serve as Chaplains. Bodhicaris responsibilities include teaching Buddhism, leading religious events when monks are not present, and conducting weddings and funerals.
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa (born in Sri Lanka) Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led at a retreat for BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) at Kendal Fire Station community room over the weekend of 24th and 25th September 2011 (probably the first such retreat in an operational Fire Station in England). Venerable Piyatissa presented Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili with a Bodhicari sash which is the same as the sashes worn by Bodhicaris in the USA.
Jacquetta spent the 25th anniversary on 3rd August 2019 at a retreat led by Venerable Piyatissa at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, where she led the Metta [Loving Kindness] meditation.
“Bodhicari Precepts”, Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili, CBE Chinese Buddhist Encyclopedia
http://www.chinabuddhismencyclopedia.com/en/index.php?title=Bodhicari_Precepts
“Comment: On 3rd August 2019, Kendal resident Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili celebrated the 25th anniversary of taking the Bodhicari Precepts”, Find Local: Alliance for Bhikkhunis website
http://www.findglocal.com/US/Santa-Barbara/442773645157/Alliance-for-Bhikkhunis
August 2019
Venerable Shih Jingang met BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) on 8th August 2019. He is the founder and Resident Instructor of the BHFT Buddha-Heart Fellowship in Tasmania Australia. He is also a Buddhist Chaplain. He served for 15 years as a Retained Volunteer Firefighter with the Tasmania Fire Service.
https://buddhaname.org/
http://www.cloudwater.org/index.php/about-us/affiliate-buddha-heart-fellowship
August 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 3 August. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
July 2019
Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) was honoured and delighted to be included as a First Woman Buddhist Fire Chaplain on pages 23 and 56 of Women in British Buddhism by Caroline Starkey. Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism Series.
Published 31 July 2019 by Routledge (ISBN 9781138087460)
July 2019
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa (born in Sri Lanka) Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led a retreat for BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Theravada Buddhist Group in Kendal on 28 July 2019.
July 2019
Mayors Sunday Kendal 7th July 2019. Kendal Civic Celebration for Mayor’s Sunday led by The Worshipful the Town Mayor Councillor Alvin Finch on Sunday 7th July 2019, included an invitation from the Mayor to faith groups in Kendal.
Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili represented BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada). She walked in the Civic Procession from the Town Hall to The Parish Church of the Holy Trinity for the Civic Service. Refreshments were served in the Mayors Parlour in Kendal Town Hall afterwards.
July 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 6 July. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
June 2019
Kendal Unity Festival Saturday 22 June 2019. BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) ran a stall and helped run the Multifaith Quiet/Prayer/Meditation Room. Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) is a member of the Organising Committee). http://www.cumbriaunity.org/categories/organising-committee
June 2019
Senior Buddhist Monks in Kendal June 2019. On Friday 14th June, well respected senior Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka Venerable Siyabalapitiye Buddharakkhita Thero from Sri Buddharakkhita Bhikkhu Puhunu Dharmayathanaya [Monastery] in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, and Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa, the Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Monastery] in Manchester, met attendees of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal Theravada and Keswick Buddhist Group in Kendal. They were assisted by Venerable Kekundeniye Shanta from Sri Lanka. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa, has taught the Kendal group since 1999.
June 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 1 June. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
May 2019
Talk to Kendal Rotary Club. Jacquetta Gomes Secretary of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) spoke to Kendal Rotary Club on 20th May about the Cumbria supplement to the booklet Religion, Belief and Culture in our Community: Understanding, respecting and valuing the diverse communities of the United Kingdom: Working together to make the United Kingdom a safer, more sustainable and cohesive nation. Her talk was reported in The Westmorland Gazette, Thursday 23 May 2019, page 42.
May 2019
BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) Vesak 2019. The Deputy Mayor of Kendal Councillor Doug Rathbone attended the BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) Vesak celebrations, at Kendal Unitarian Chapel hall on Saturday May 18 2019. BGKT were honoured that this was the first event the Deputy Mayor attended.
May 2019
The Kendal Town Council Annual General Meeting & Mayor Making Ceremony for Mayor Councillor Guy Tirvengadum was held in Kendal Town Hall on 16 May 2019. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes and Upasaka Dhammika Duncan Fisher represented BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada).
May 2019
The funeral for an Upasika who attended BGKT was held at Kendal Unitarian Chapel on Tuesday 7 May 2019. BGKT chanted The Metta Sutta The Discourse on Loving Kindness.
May 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 4 May. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
April 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 6 April. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
April 2019
The water pouring ceremony for an Upasika who attended BGKT at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester Saturday 6 April 2019. http://www.ketumati.org/
Buddhist Ceremonies and Rituals of Sri Lanka, The Wheel Publication 402-404, BPS Buddhist Publication Society Kandy Sri Lanka.
https://www.bps.lk/library-search-select.php?id=wh402
https://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh402_Kariawasam_Buddhist-Ceremonies-Rituals-Sri-Lanka.html
See Section 5 Almsgiving and Funerals: https://accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/kariyawasam/wheel402.html#ch5
March 2019
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa (Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester) led a retreat for BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) on 25 March. He was assisted by Venerable Dhammananda.
March 2019
Venerable Siyabalapitiye Buddharakkhita from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka,and Ven Galpottayaye Pemananda and Venerable Dhammananda from Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester visited BGKT on Thursday 21 March.
March 2019
IWD International Women’s Day 8 March in Kendal
South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership (SLEDP) presented a talk at Kendal town Hall by photographer Anita Corbin on her exhibition of photographs of First Women currently touring the country. First Women comprises a unique collection of 100 portraits capturing women in the UK who were “first” in their field of achievement. Anita also took photographs of BGKT Secretary Jacquetta Gomes for her second collection of another 100 First Women from the UK. She is acknowledged as the first female Buddhist Fire Chaplain in the world.
The Kendal event is included in the IWD International Women’s Day website https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Activity/13076/South-Lakeland-Equality-and-Diversity-Partnership-SLEDP
https://www.facebook.com/FirstWomenUK/photos/a.514251165280316/2184812214890861/
March 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 2 March. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
February 2019
World Interfaith Harmony Week1 – 7 February in Kendal
https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/
SLEDP Event Kendal Town Hall Tuesday 5 February. SLEDP South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership presented the Cumbrian launch of the third edition (2018) of Religion, Belief and Culture in our Community: Understanding, respecting and valuing the diverse cultures of the United Kingdom. Deputy Lieutenant Air Commodore Peter Smith represented The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria. Other speakers were Councillor Guy Tirvengadum Mayor of Kendal & Chair of SLEDP, Joe Murray QPM – Chair Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association, Jacquetta Gomes – SLEDP Lead on Interfaith and Multifaith, Mark Clement – Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, Mike Humphreys – Chair South Lakes Interfaith Forum, and Peter McCall – Cumbria Police & Crime Commissioner.
BGKT participated in the WIHW Service organized by the Unitarian Chapel and SLIF South Lakeland Interfaith Forum at Kendal Unitarian Chapel on Sunday 3 February.
World Interfaith Harmony Week Website
Report: https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/view-reports/?report=29018
Event:https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/reports-2019/?country_filter=489
The weblink to the booklet is on the WIHW website resources page.
https://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Cumbrian_Supplement_for_the_National_Booklet-2009.pdf
February 2019
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreat at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, led By Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Abbot of Ketumati, on Saturday 2 February. Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes (BGKT Secretary) led the Metta Meditation (meditation on loving kindness). http://www.ketumati.org/
January 2019
BGKT Secretary Jacquetta Gomes was included as an Inspiring Woman in Women to Work’s Our round up of inspiring women 2018
https://www.womentowork.co.uk/our-round-up-of-inspiring-women-2018/