Updated 31 October 2024
Coronation Services 2023 Buddhist Representation
London
The Coronation of HM King Charles III was held on 6 May 2023 at Westminster Abbey in London. For the first time at a Coronation in the UK, Faith Leaders and Representatives from non-Christian, faiths participated. Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Head Monk of LBV London Buddhist Vihara and Chief Sangha Nayaka of GB Great Britian represented Buddhism in the Procession of Faith Leaders in the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey. At the end of the Coronation HM The King was greeted at the Great West Door of Westminster Abbey by Faith Leaders and Representatives, who said
YOUR Majesty, as neighbours in faith, we acknowledge the value of public service. We unite with people of all faiths and beliefs in thanksgiving, and in service with you for the common good.
LBV London Buddhist Vihara hosted a blessings ceremony for the King on behalf of the Buddhist community, at which Vice Admiral Sir Anthony Johnston-Burt, the Master of Royal Household at Buckingham Palace represented the king.
Members of The Royal Family at the Vihara have been guests at LBV London Buddhist Vihara. Venerable Seelawimala was the official Buddhist guest at the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Weblinkhttps://www.londonbuddhistvihara.org/
Weblinkhttps://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-05-06/the-coronation-service-order-of-service
Cumbria
Jacquetta Gomes BGKT Secretary has known Venerable Seelawimala Head Monk of LBV London Buddhist Vihara for decades and has taught on meditation retreats and classes alongside him at the LBV.
HM Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Mrs Claire Hensman invited Cumbrian Faith Leaders to a Service of Choral Evensong to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III at Carlisle Cathedral on Friday 12 May. Many of the prayers, hymns and music were also used in the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey.
The leader of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) John Gerrard Upasaka Sumedha represented Buddhism. (Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili was one of the Founders of BGKT in 1991.) Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasilirepresented SLEDP South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership of which she was the Lead on Interfaith and Multifaith. SLEDP has since been replaced by WFDEIP Westmorland and Furness Diversity Equity and Inclusion Partnership and Jacquetta remains the Lead on Interfaith and Multifaith.
The Choir, Faith Leaders, Cathedral Chapter and Bishop of Carlisle entered during the processional hymn. Upasaka Sumedha John Gerrard and Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes were invited to walk at the front of the Faith Leaders Procession. The ecumenical and interfaith guests sat in the sanctuary in the Sanctuary (in chairs near the high altar).
Faith Community Representatives from across Cumbria, from the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim Communities read The Act of Commitment. This combined language used in the Coronation Service and an Act of Commitment on The Inter-Faith Network for the UK website.
Weblinkhttps://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/act-of-commitment
As a representative of the Buddhist Community Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Jacquetta Gomes read
For a spirit of friendship, co-operation and tolerance, to work together alongside all who share our values and ideals, forgiving each other for our misunderstandings, to help bring about a better world now and for generations to come.
Weblinkhttps://carlislecathedral.org.uk/coronation-of-king-charles-iii-celebrations-at-carlisle-cathedral/
CMCG Cumbria Multifaith Coronation Group
Local Members of minority faiths who read at the Coronation Service in Carlisle Cathedral met in May 2024 to reflect and remember the Anniversary of the Coronation. They hope to continue holding ongoing meetings.
BGKT Secretary Jacquetta Gome sis a member of WCF World Congress of Faiths. The following article was published in the WCF World Congress of Faiths Newsletter, (Summer 2023).
“HM The King’s Coronation”by Jacquetta Gomes, WCF World Congress of Faiths Newsletter, (Summer 2023).
Weblinkhttps://worldfaiths.org/news-and-blogs/
The text of this article is
“The Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria invited Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim faith leaders, including WCF Member Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili, to a Service of Choral Evensong to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III at Carlisle Cathedral on Friday 12 May. Many of the prayers, hymns and music were also used in the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey.
Jacquetta represented the South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership, of which she is the Lead on Interfaith and Multifaith. In 1991 she was a Founder of the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada).
The Choir, Faith Leaders, Cathedral Chapter and Bishop of Carlisle entered during the processional hymn. Jacquetta and the leader of BGKT, John Gerrard Upasaka Sumedha, were invited to walk at the front of the Faith Leaders Procession. The ecumenical and interfaith guests sat in chairs near the high altar in the Sanctuary. The Act of Commitment was read by Faith Community representatives from across Cumbria. The wording is replicated at (https://www.interfaith.org.uk/resources/act-of-commitment). Jacquetta as a representative of the Buddhist Community read the words:
“For a spirit of friendship, co-operation and tolerance, to work together alongside all who share our values and ideals, forgiving each other for our misunderstandings, to help bring about a better world now and for generations to come.” “