Prince of Wales visits Vihara

Charles praises inspirational generosity of the public

The feast of the Epiphany saw a Prince rather than Kings come bearing gifts as Prince Charles came to the London Buddhist Vihara on the Avenue.

Charles had come to see the work being done by volunteers to help the people of Sri Lanka. He praised the inspirational generosity of the public after a tragedy which he said he found impossible to summon up the words to describe.

The Vihara has so far raised £25,000 in donations as well as collecting a massive store of supplies to be sent to Sri Lanka. The Prince made a personal donation of a substantial but undisclosed amount. Volunteers have worked round the clock to process donations of supplies for dispatch.

The Prince said: “I wanted to take this opportunity to visit the London Buddhist Vihara to show support and solidarity to all those in Sri Lanka and elsewhere who have suffered so terribly as a result of this incomprehensible disaster"

Following on from the Archbishop of Canterbury’s comments that the scale of the disaster could shake people’s faith: “We hear how people’s faith may be challenged but, nevertheless, it’s also helped in a strange way to reveal the love and compassion that exists in people’s hearts. The fact that such powerful emotions exist at all can perhaps paradoxically help enforce faith in that invisible dimension.”

The Vihara is no longer appealing for non-financial donations. They have expressed thanks for the massive response of ChiswickW4.com members to earlier appeals.

If you wish to make a financial contribution please contact the Venerable Bandula on: 020 8995 9493. Make cheques payable to "LBV Relief Fund" and send to address below. Please write your contact details on reverse of cheque.

You can deposit your donations direct to:

Sort Code - 40-50-56
Account Name - LBV-Relief Fund
Account No. - 800016-01
Bank of Ceylon
1 Devonshire Square
London
EC2M 4WD

January 13, 2005