How Lankarama was Built…..

Lankarama is a Buddhist Temple for worship and meditation for all Australians established by Sri Lankan Buddhists of Sydney and other areas in New South Wales. With a small beginning in 1992 it has come a long way.

The need to establish a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Sydney was initially identified by a group of Sri Lankan Buddhists. Migration of Sri Lankans to Australia has a long history. Yet in the decades of 1980 and 1990 there was a marked increase of professionals migrating to Australia from Sri Lanka. Many of them were Sri Lankan Buddhists who always wanted to adhere to Buddhist practices and traditions. At the same time they were keen to transfer them to their children so that they will be able to evolve a way of life to live according to the teachings of the Buddha.

The absence of a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple made it difficult for them to translate their thoughts and feelings into action. By conviction they knew that temple plays a pivotal role in Sri Lankan Buddhist way of life. Yet they were happy as they found solace by associating Thai Buddhist Temple in Stanmore and Leumeah. However a keen and committed group of Sri Lankan Buddhists met formally on 9th of February 1992 at the meeting hall of Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW to discuss ways and means of establishing a Buddhist temple of Sri Lankan tradition. There were more than 100 attending this meeting and they passed a resolution unanimously to establish “Sri Lankan Buddhist Vihara Association of Sydney Incorporated” (SLBVA)to proceed with the task of starting a Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in Sydney. As a practice Sri Lankan Buddhists always consult Maha Sangha in connection with all Buddhist activities. As such it was a must in the establishment of a new Buddhist temple in Sydney.

At the planning stage Sri Lankan Buddhists in Sydney were very fortunate. At that time Ven Dr Muwagama Gnanasiha thero was in Sydney at the Burmese temple for a few months, having come from Melbourne. Ven Gnanasiha thero very willingly gave his sangha advice to initiate the project of establishing a temple. However Ven thero’s stay in Sydney was limited to three months. Therefore he was unable to give his service for a longer period. The Sri Lankan Buddhists were highly please as they were in a position to establish their first temple in Sydney on  02 March 1992 at No 89 John St, Lidcombe, NSW in a rented house under the leadership of Ven Gnanasiha prior to his departure from Sydney. Yet the need was there to obtain the services of a resident monk on a continuous basis. Again the Sri Lanka Buddhists were fortunate as Ven Pandit Meegahakumbure Dhammagavesi thero agreed to give his services to Sri Lankan Buddhists in Sydney. When the Buddhist Vihara Association was looking for a Buddhist monk Ven Dhammagavesi thero visited Sydney to conduct a series of Dhamma sermons in Sydney. He was residing at the residence of parents of Dr. Siri Kannangara. The Buddhist Association extended an invitation to Ven Dhammagavesi to lead its religious and meditation activities which he accepted. Ven Dhammagavesi agreed to come to Sydney after completing his Vas – retreat, period at the Buddhist temple in Springvale in Victoria, as he came to Australia at the invitation of Ven Gangodawila Soma Thero who established Springvale temple.

In 1992 on Vesak day Ven Dhammagavesi thero started his Dhamma Duta work in Sydney at the Lidcombe temple. However he went back to Melbourne to complete his Vas period and Ven Dr Kalalelle Sekhara thero completed his vas period at the Lidcombe temple having come from Sri Lanka on an invitation extended to him by the Buddhist Vihara Association. Arrival of Ven Dhammagavesi from Melbourne after vas period the Sri Lankan Buddhists saw the development of the temple and its services.

In the month of February of 1993 the temple was moved to No 27, Asquith Road, North Auburn, a premises purchased by the Buddhist Vihara Association. In 1994 a Bo sapling of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura was planted by most Ven Madihe Pannasiha Mahanayaka thero at the temple. In Asquith the association saw a rapid growth of demand for the services of the temple. Venue restricted the development of the temple and the association decided to move the temple to a larger premises.

In  May 1997 the temple was moved to No. 35, Oak Street, Schofield, NSW. The temple now has an area of 5 acres and is owned by the SLBVA. Under the leadership and guidance of Ven Meegahakumbure Dhammagavesi thero Sri Lankan Buddhists are pleased to have the services of a Buddhist temple with essential features like Dagaba, Bodhi Tree, Shrine room and residential facilities for Bhantes. (Once the construction of Dhammasala is completed, to a great extent it will benefit larger numbers of devotees who visit the temple). We believe that Lankarama will continue to serve all Australians who are keen to understand and practice the teachings of the Buddha for many generations to come.

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