There are a number of things you expect to find in Wimbledon: tennis, horses, a windmill maybe even a Womble, but finding a Buddhist Temple in the heart of a residential area is not something we imagined to ever appear on that list.
The Wat Buddhapadipa temple, located on Calonne Road, was the first Thai Buddhist Temple to be built in the UK. Home to nuns and monks there is an atmosphere of calm as you step onto the grounds that makes you instinctively use your ‘library voice’. The temple is open to visitors of all faiths to view as long as they are respectful of this place of worship.
The temple is eye-catching in its design with a bright red roof and gold gilding adorning the roof, doors and windows. Also within the grounds there is a house, pond, and several bridges. In the gardens signs are posted, giving a message of wisdom to those who take the time to stop to read them.
When entering the temple itself you are asked to kindly remove your shoes in the hallway. Inside the temple is a great shrine built for the Buddha. There are three statues of the Buddha surrounded by candles and other beautiful decorations. The walls of the temple are decorated in a mural telling the story of the life and death of the Buddha. However, as is common with Thai tradition, the mural paintings depict episodes from Buddhist teachings and populates them with people and objects from contemporary life. As the murals were started in the 1980’s, this means that among the many figures in the scenes are portraits of Mother Theresa and Margaret Thatcher, as well as the temple’s patrons and the artists themselves.
The temple holds one day meditation retreats on the first Saturday of every month from 9.00am – 4.00pm for those that what to take part. There is also a basic course on Buddhism that takes place every Sunday from 2.00pm – 3.30pm. For all events and activities visit watbuddhapadipa.org, or ring 0208 946 1357 to check availability.
It is both a blessing and a shame that more people outside of Wimbledon aren’t aware of the temple. The tranquility of Buddhapadipa gives its visitors a great respite from the hustle and bustle of London life, giving them time and space to slow down and reflect.
By Our Out & About Blogger, Laura Megatli
Twitter: @LauraMegatli
Instagram: @gatters9
