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Buddhists prepare for greatest pageant in London

by Victor Jayanetti our London correspondent

Preparations for the greatest pageant to parade along the streets of London, got under way with an inaugural meeting to launch the pageant at the London Buddhist Vihara, with the blessings of the Maha Sangha.

This year the pageant will begin from Marble Arch and end at the Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park. Participants of the Perahera have been requested to assemble at Marble Arch. These early arrangements have been made in order to accommodate the 18th anniversary arrangements of the Battersea Park Palace Pagoda, which is held on the same day. The Maha Sangha will chant Pirith en route in a specially constructed Mandapa atop the deck of a moving vehicle.

Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala Thera of the London Buddhist Vihara chaired the inaugural meeting in the absence of Venerable Dr. Medagama Vagiragnana Nayake Thera, Sangha Nayake of Great Britain who was indisposed. Venerable Bogoda Seelawimala said that last year's event was a tremendous success and thanked the committee and all those helped for their hard work. He hopes that this year's event will be even grander and encouraged the committee to keep up with their good work.

The need for an annual event of this nature was discussed at length. Addressing the meeting Madawala Hemananda, President of the Thames Meditation Society said that although Buddhism is becoming more and more recognised in the West, it is time for Buddhism to be made more visible and events such as the perahera being a prime way of doing so.

Rev. G. Nagase of the Nipponzan Myohoji (Battersea Park Peace Pagoda) said that he was looking forward to this year's event with great enthusiasm as it coincides with the 18th anniversary celebrations of the Peace Pagoda. He said that arrangements were already in hand to make this event a colourful and a meaningful event.

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