Buddhist Gumba Reading, UK
Registered Charity Number:   1178878 (England & Wales)

History of Buddhist Gumba Reading UK

Buddhist Gumba Reading UK was founded on 21st Apr 2018 in Reading Town, Berkshire, England and registered with the charity commission England and Wales on 21st June 2018.  The initial founders were Mrs Rajani Gurung and Inspector (Retired) Mr Khem Bahadur Gurung. From day one, all Buddhist Gurungs (Tamus) living in Reading supported the initiative whole-heartedly and a committee was set up under the chairmanship of Insp (Retd) Mr Khem Bahadur Gurung.

Background

As a result of the granting of settlement rights in 2009, Gurkha veterans started to come to the UK with their families, children and dependants. Day by day their numbers have increased significantly in the Reading Borough Council area.  In addition, there were a significant number of migrant Nepalese who came to study in the UK and have now settled permanently in the area. Due to the big influx of migrant Nepalese and Gurkha veterans living in the Reading borough, the committee felt that a Buddhist Gumba (Monastery) would be of utmost value and benefit to establish in the area and this mission would be achieved by the building or the purchasing and conversion of a property into a Buddhist Gumba. Having a Buddhist site of worship in the town of Reading will be the answer to issues in the area faced by Buddhist people for example it will be used for; post-death rituals, everyday practice of Buddhism, meditation, lessons of Lord Buddha, marriage ceremonies, post-birth rituals etc.

The Buddhist Gumba Reading UK Founding Trustees below, Buddhist Gumba Reading UK executive members and Buddhist Gumba Reading UK well-wishers are working hard to raise funds to establish a Buddhist Gumba in the Reading area.

Mrs Rajani Gurung

Mrs Usha Gurung

Mrs Bhim Kumari Gurung

Mrs Mina Kumari Gurung

Insp (Retd) Khem Bahadur Gurung

Major (Retd) Jai Bahadur Gurung MVO

Major (Retd) Buddhi Bahadur Gurung

Lt (Retd) Jas Bahadur Gurung

Mr Krishna Bahadur Gurung

Mr Kamal Gurung

Mr Nar Bahadur Gurung

Mr Chandra Man Gurung

“OM MANI PADME HUM”

By Maj (Retd) Buddhi Bahadur Gurung

Objectives

To advance the Buddhist Religion in England for the benefit of the public in accordance with the Mahayana Nyingmapa Buddhist Tradition through:

  • Holding Prayer Meetings and Public Celebrations of Religious Festivals
  • Holding lectures and arranging for a qualified Buddhist monk from the Gurung (Tamu) Lama Buddhist Association, Kathmandu, Nepal www.gurunglama.org to deliver the lectures and to provide spiritual guidance in accordance with the Mahayana Nyingmapa Buddhist Tradition
  • Providing and maintaining a building for religious practice
  • Producing or distributing literature to enlighten others about the Mahayana Nyingmapa Buddhist Tradition.