Rocky road to
enlightenment
By
Alison White, News Shopper, July 4, 2006
Buddhists in Gravesham had seen
their dreams for a temple "smashed" by vandals. But now a new
self-funded temple is close to completion after help from
volunteers. ALISON WHITE finds out more.
Gravesham, UK -- Gravesham's Buddhist community
has seen its fair share of disappointment. Attempts to establish a
permanent temple have been blighted by vandalism and deliberate
fires.
Arsonists struck at a building Buddhists were trying to convert
into a temple in Colyer Road, Northfleet, three times last
year.
The building became a target for vandals who smashed windows,
stripped wooden panelling from the outside of the cottage and threw
stones at a Buddhist monk.
continued...
After two months of relentless arson and criminal damage the last
straw came when the front wall of the building was ripped
away.
Buddhists were keen to find a permanent home, as Kent does not have
a temple, so devotees either met in temporary accommodation or
travelled to Wimbledon.
But now the 250 devotees have a new temple after agreeing to rent
the Rose Street Community Centre in Rose Street, Northfleet, for
the next 10 years.
The temple will form a permanent home for a Buddhist monk from
Thailand.
Buddhism focuses on personal spiritual development and gaining an
insight into the nature of life. The faith does not follow a
God.
Meditation is used by Buddhists to separate themselves from
thoughts and feelings to become fully aware.
Chairman of the Buddhists in Gravesham, Harry Smith, believes the
rocky ride to establishing a temple happened for a reason.
He said building a temple is a great honour for Buddhists as it is
the best way of earning merit in their next life.
Many volunteers, both Buddhists and people from other faiths, have
donated time and equipment to the temple, which was completely
self-funded.
Among the donations made was £1,600 for carpet, £1,000 for three
months' rent and an offer of free plumbing, said Mr Smith.
Inside the temple is the monk's accommodation, who will live behind
an image of a Buddha. He will have a large space for prayer,
offices and an area for meditation.
Mr Smith, who is currently mayor of Gravesham, says once the
building is finished it will be open all the time operating a
"open-door policy" to the community.
An official opening is planned with the Thailand ambassador and
officials from the Thailand Embassy invited along.
Buddhists in Gravesham are hoping enough money can be raised to buy
the temple as a permanent home. Lead nurse Mr Smith said:
"Hopefully it will work very
well.
"We had our dreams smashed and we tried
to start again and it looks like we have managed it. "It has
happened for a purpose."
The 53-year-old says the key to religious harmony in Gravesham is
people accepting other religions' differences. He said:
At the end of the day following a
religion is the same for everybody.
"Buddhism really is a very peaceful philosophy."
