Updated 3 December 2023
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester
Websitehttps://www.ketumati.org/
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester has been appointed as the Chief Sangha Nayaka for England by the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Siyamopali Maha Viharawansika Maha Nikaya, Malwatta Chapter Kandy Sri Lanka. A Felicitation Ceremony will be held in Manchester on 10 December 2023. He has taught BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) since October 1999.
Events at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara
BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravavda) attend celebrations and talks at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara. Ketumati Buddhist Vihara. Ketumati acquired a beautiful new Monastery in 2015 which has offered us opportunities to develop our Buddhist practice.
BGKT attended the monthly meditation retreats at Ketumati on the 1st Saturday of the month until 2020. BGKT secretary Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili taught metta [loving kindness] meditation. These retreats are now on the 1st Sunday and we attend on zoom. BGKT also attend the Wednesday evening 6pm meditation, study and discussion sessions.
Precepts, Certificates, Badges and Sashes
The unique aspect of the relationship between Ketumati and BGKT and the Keswick Buddhist Group has been in relation to the development of Precepts and Dhamma Teaching in the West. A decision was made that certificates signed by Venerable Piyatissa would be presented to those taking Panca Sila (The Five Precepts) and receiving a Buddhist name; and a certificate and a cream sash would be presented to those taking Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life. These sashes must be worn when they administer the Panca Sila (The Five Precepts if a Bhikkhu (Monk) or Bhikkhuni/Ayya (Nun) is not present. Dhamma Teachers Certificates and badges would be presented to Sangha Authorized Dhamma Teachers.
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa was the Preceptor when Upasaka Sumedha and Upasaka Mahinda took the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life on 1 October 2000 in Kendal. (As far as we are aware this was the first time these Precepts have been taken for Life in the UK.) They were presented with Certificates for Observing the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life, at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 22 October 2000. The presentation was made by Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Vishvakeerthi Sri Sasana Sobhana Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara (1928-2006). This event and photographs of the ceremony were reported in the Sri Lankan press. Upasaka Mahinda spent a holiday in Sri Lanka and was recognised in Peradeniya Gardens, Kandy by a girl who had seen his photograph in the Sri Lankan press.
Venerable Piyatissa was the Preceptor when Upasaka Dhammika took the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) on 14 October 2001.
Upasaka Sumedha was the first member of BGKT presented with a Dhamma Teachers Certificate from Ketumati, and Upasaka Dhammika was presented with a Certificate for Observing the Panca Sila (Five Precepts), at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 4 November 2001.
Upasaka Mahinda was the first second member of BGKT presented with a Dhamma Teachers certificate at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara’s Katina celebrations in Oldham on 27 October 2002. The presentation was made by Venerable Kirindigalle Dhammaratana Maha Thera Chief Sangha Nayaka of Scandinavia and Head of the Stockholm Buddhist Vihara. Upasaka Punna was presented with a Certificate for Observing the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life at the same ceremony. Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera had been the Preceptor when he took the Ajivatthamaka Sila (Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth) for Life on 29 September 2002 in Kendal.
Venerable Piyatissa was the Preceptor when further Upasakas and Upasikas from BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group took Panca Sila and Ajivatthamaka Sila in Kendal. They have received certificates and sashes. Venerable Piyatissa has also given more Dhamma Teachers certificates.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester Vesak Celebrations 2006
At the 2006 Vesak celebrations at Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, the Abbot, Venerable Piyatissa presented Sangha Authorized Dhamma Teacher badges to four lay teachers. Cream sashes were presented to Upasakas Sumedha, Mahinda and Punna who undertook the Ajivatthamaka Sila for Life with the Abbot himself as Preceptor, and to Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili. These sashes are to be worn when they administer the Panca Sila (Five Precepts) should a Bhikkhu (Monk) or Ayya (Nun) not be available. (In June 2007 Upasika Panna received the Eight Lifetime Precepts (an expansion of the Ajivatthamaka Sila) from Bhante Henepola Gunaratana Maha Thera at Gaia House Devon, and a cream sash from Venerable Piyatissa.)
The 2006 Vesak celebrations included distribution of the booklet: Requirements and Ceremonies for the Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, by Ketumati Buddhist Vihara and BGKT was also distributed at the Vesak celebrations. This was subsequently published for world-wide distribution, by the Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation, Taiwan, as part of the 2007 edition of Introducing Buddhism. It is available on this website.
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa at Meetings in Kendal
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa the Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester has taught BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) since his first visit to Kendal on 9 October 1999. He and other Monks have visited Kendal regularly since then. He has taught meditation retreats and Dhamma Study and meditation sessions.
2019 20th Anniversary Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Teaching BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa (born in Sri Lanka) Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara Manchester, celebrated 20 years of teaching BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group.
He led a retreat for the 2 groups on Sunday 29th September at Kendal Fire Station. It is believed he is only the 3rd Buddhist Fire Chaplain in the world. (As far as we are aware, he led the first retreat led by a Buddhist Monk to take place in an operational Fire Station in the UK, at Kendal Fire Station in September 2011.)
The Mayor of Kendal Councillor Alvin Finch invited him and the 2 groups to the Mayors Parlour in Kendal Town Hall on Monday 30th September. The Mayor offered the Monk a dana lunch on behalf of the people of Kendal. Another guest of the Mayor was The Mayor of Dalton Councillor Nick Perie.
Venerable Piyatissa presented the Mayor with a copy of his book An Exposition of Buddhism.
The Mayor presented Venerable Piyatissa with a copy of Religion, Belief and Culture in our Community; Cumbrian Supplement (2nd edition)
https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/elibrary/Content/Internet/535/612/43503101029.pdf
This was not Venerable Piyatissa’s first visit to The Mayors Parlour. In March 2008, Councillor Gwen Murfin, Mayor of Kendal (2007- 2008), invited Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa to lead a celebration and Pali language Blessing Ceremony in the Mayor’s Parlour in Kendal Town Hall.
Ketumati Other Resident and Visiting Bhikkhus [Monks] at Kendal
Other Monks living at and staying at Ketumati have also taught BGKT and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada). Highlights included:
2019 24 October
Ven Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) and Ven Santindriya led a meditation and Buddhist Teaching meeting for Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) in Kendal on 24th October 2019.
2019 25 September
Ven Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led a meditation and Buddhist Teaching meeting for Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) on 25th September 2019 in Kendal. Forest Monks are very highly venerated in Sri Lanka as they lead lives of renunciation, meditation, simplicity and purity.
2019 14 June
On Friday 14th June, well respected senior Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka Venerable Siyabalapitiye Buddharakkhita Thero from Sri Buddharakkhita Bhikkhu Puhunu Dharmayathanaya [Monastery] in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka, and Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa, met attendees of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal Theravada and Keswick Buddhist Group (Theravada) in Kendal. They were assisted by Venerable Kekundeniye Shanta from Sri Lanka.
2018 28 January
Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led a meditation retreat for BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) at Fellside Centre in Kendal on 28th January 2018. Forest Monks are very highly venerated in Sri Lanka as they lead lives of renunciation, meditation, simplicity and purity.
As well as teaching meditation and the Dhamma, he is keen to learn about the UK and visited Ruskin’s View in Kirkby Lonsdale on 27 January 2018.
2019 25 March
On Monday 25th March 2019 Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa, the Head of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Monastery] in Manchester, led a meditation retreat in Kendal. He was assisted by Venerable Dhammananda.
2019 21 March
On Thursday 21st March 2019 well respected senior Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka Venerable Siyabalapitiye Buddharakkhita Thero from Sri Buddharakkhita Bhikkhu Puhunu Dharmayathanaya [Monastery] in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka gave a talk to BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal Theravada and Keswick Buddhist Group. He was assisted by Venerable Galpottayaye Pemananda and Venerable Dhammananda.
2017 22 September
Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led a retreat for BGKT in Kendal on 22 September 2017. Forest Monks are very highly venerated in Sri Lanka as they lead lives of renunciation, meditation, simplicity and purity.
2017 27 August
Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led the BGKT meeting in Kendal on 27 August 2017. Forest Monks are very highly venerated in Sri Lanka as they lead lives of renunciation, meditation, simplicity and purity.
2017 30 July
Ven Piyatissa and Venerable Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) BGKT led a retreat for BGKT in Kendal on 30th July 2017.
2016 25 September
BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding in September 1991 at a retreat on 25th September at Fellside Centre Kendal led by Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa and Venerable Udunuwara Indarathana.
2015 22 February
Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa and Ven Mahalova Ariyadhamma (who lives in a forest in Sri Lanka) led a led a meditation and Buddhist Teaching meeting for BGKT at Fellside Centre on 22 February 2015.
2000 30 July
Venerable Medagama Vajiragnana Mahanayaka Thera, Aggamaha Saddhammajothika Dhaja, Vishvakeerthi Sri Sasana Sobhana Chief Sangha Nayaka of Great Britain and Head of the London Buddhist Vihara OBE (1928-2006), and Venerable Pidiville Piyatissa Maha Thera, led a meditation and Buddhist Teaching meeting for BGKT at Fellside Centre on 30 July 2000. This included a celebration of the 25th anniversary of BGKT Secretary Jacquetta Gomes becoming Upasika Jayasili, with Venerable Narada Maha Thera as the Preceptor in Sri Lanka, on 30 July 1975.
Bibliography
Books
Introducing Buddhism
Introducing Buddhism by Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Aggamaha Pandita DLitt DLitt (1896-1998) and Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili. Introducing Buddhism was originally published by The Buddhist Society London in 1988, to accompany The Buddhist Society’s Introducing Buddhism Course, on which Jacquetta Gomes was one of the teachers.Introducing Buddhism has subsequently been published by Buddhist organisations in England, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the USA. Introducing Buddhism is available on several websites including Access to Insight and Google Books. Introducing Buddhism was launched by the BCC Buddhist Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka with 24 other books under the patronage of Venerable Dr K. Sri Dhammananda Chief Sangha Nayaka of Malaysia and Singapore, in December 1997.
Introducing Buddhism. Venerable Dr Balangoda Ananda Maitreya Mahanayaka Thera Abhidhaja Maharatthaguru Aggamaha Pandita DLitt DLitt, and Jayasili (Jacquetta Gomes). Taipei, Taiwan: The Corporate Body of the Buddha Educational Foundation. (2008 reprint of 2007) (Book code EN074) (This includes as an appendix the booklet: Requirements and Ceremonies for The Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, issued by the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara at Wesak 2006 updated February 2010)
http://www.budaedu.org/en/
http://ftp.budaedu.org/ebooks/pdf/EN074.pdf
Requirements and Ceremonies for The Five Precepts (Panca Sila), The Eight Precepts with Right Livelihood as the Eighth (Ajivatthamaka Sila), Dhamma Teachers Certificate, issued by the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) and Ketumati Buddhist Vihara at Wesak 2006. Requirements and Ceremonies is available on Google Books.
Articles
‘“The development and use of the Eight Precepts for lay practitioners, Upasakas and Upasikas in Theravada Buddhism in the West”, Jacquetta Gomes, Contemporary Buddhism, Volume 5(1) (May, 2004) 47-63 (ISSN 1463-9947)
Available at https://www.tandfonline.com/
Several other articles have been written in Buddhist newsletters (including Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter) about this important relationship between Ketumati and BGKT.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Website
“Background”
http://www.ketumati.org/history.php
“Katina Celebrations 2010”
http://www.ketumati.org/KT10.php
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter
2009
“Regular Programmes and Services of the Temple: Monthly Programmes and Services” page 10;
“Vesak celebrations 2009, page 8.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 1 (Summer 2009)
http://www.ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/News%20Latter%202009.pdf
2007
“News from the Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada)”, By Duncan Fisher (Dhammika), page 4;
“Once again Bhikkhuni Kusuma visits Ketumati”, page 12.
“Regular Programmes and Services of the Temple: Monthly Programmes and Services” page 11
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, (Spring and Summer 2007)
http://ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/News%20Latter%202007.pdf
“Kathina Celebration of Ketumati Buddhist Vihara” pages 6-7;
“Regular Programmes and Services of the Temple: Monthly Programmes and Services” page 8
“The Significance of the Maha Saropama Sutta ~ MN 29 (The Greater Discourse On the Simile of the Heartwood)” By Duncan Fisher (Upasaka Dhammika) page 5;
“Special rains retreat at Ketumati” page 3.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 2 (Autumn and Winter 2007)
http://www.ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/News%20Latter%202007%20Nov.pdf
2006
“A Brief History of the Buddhist Group of Kendal” by Upasaka Dhammika Duncan Fisher, page 2;
“Katina Celebrations 2006”, page 5;
“Regular Programmes and Services of the Temple: Monthly Programmes and Services” page 8
The Significance of the Vitakkasanthana Sutta (MN 20), (The Removal of Distracting Thoughts) By Upasaka Dhammika (Duncan Fisher), page 7;
“Vesak Celebrations of Ketumati 2006” page 5.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 1 (2006)
http://www.ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/News%20Latter%202006.pdf
2004
“Ketumati News and Editorial Note Summer/Autumn 2004” page 7.
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 6 (No. 2 & 3) (Summer and Autumn 2004)
http://ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/News%20Latter%20Summer-%20Autumn2004.pdf
2002
“The Dhammapada – A Buddhist Bible”, by Titus Gomes pages 3-4;
“Ketumati News: Outside Activities” page 6
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 4 (Nos 1 & 2) (Spring and Summer 2002)
http://www.ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/NewsletterAutumn2002.pdf
2000
“Katina Ceremony – 2000” page 7;
“Editorial Notes: Outside Activities” page 10;
“Thoughts for the New Year”, pages 1-2
Ketumati Buddhist Vihara [Manchester] Newsletter, Volume 2 (Nos 3 & 4) (Autumn and Winter 2000)
http://www.ketumati.org/assets/newsletters/NewsletterAutumnWinter2000.pdf