Head Monk of Sri Lanka Consecrates "Tenement Temple" in Glasgow

September 25, 2003

Source: The Scotsman

http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/scotland.cfm?id=1062902003

On September 25, 2003 The Scotsman reported, "From Maryhill Road, it was difficult to detect that inside a tenement close, a humble flat had just been named as one of the world’s holy places. The head monk of Sri Lanka, a holy man similar in status in his country as the Dalai Lama is to Tibet, had just squeezed into the flat, with an entourage of 17 monks, to confirm Scotland’s only Theravada Buddhist temple. His Holiness Most Venerable Udugama Buddha Rakhkhitha made the long journey from Sri Lanka, where he enjoys huge civic and religious status, to Glasgow." The article continued, "about 30 families use his [Ven. Rewatha, the monk who established the temple in April] tenement temple, as well as many of the local community who have signed up for meditation classes."