British Maha Bodhi Society
Offering the Dhamma globally
The British Maha Bodhi Society (BMBS) was founded in London in 1926 by Anagarika Dharmapala with the object of ‘the extension of the knowledge of the tenets of Buddhism, the establishment of a Vihara in London and the promotion of the cause of Buddhism in the West‘.
In 1891, Anagarika Dharmapala established the Maha Bodhi Society in India and Sri Lanka (then British Ceylon) to raise awareness about the plight of Buddhism under British Colonial rule and to restore control of Buddhist holy places, most notably the site where the Buddha gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, to Buddhist custodians. BMBS was founded at the same time as the ‘Buddhist Mission’, which later became London Buddhist Vihara, to offer the Dhamma to Western audiences and revive Buddhism globally.
Today, BMBS continues the work of our founder, Anagarika Dharmapala, by offering regular events and activities from London Buddhist Vihara and elsewhere, which may be joined in person or virtually from anywhere in the world.
Next Event – 7pm Saturday 14th November at London Buddhist Vihara
The Buddha’s Friends & Family: Lessons in Love & Devotion
Prof Naomi Appleton
What can we learn about wholesome friendships from the Buddha’s own life?
This talk explores early Buddhist attitudes towards parental, spousal, friendly and devotional relationships.
We are delighted to welcome Naomi Appleton, Professor of Buddhist Studies and Indian Religions at the University of Edinburgh to London Buddhist Vihara. She will focus on how early communities communicated the value of loving relationships with narratives about the Buddha’s relatives and friends.
To join
Key facts
- 1891 — Maha Bodhi Society founded by Anagārika Dharmapāla, Colombo.
- 1926 — British Maha Bodhi Society founded, 24 July, with the Buddhist Mission in London.
- 1934 — European Buddhist Congress organised by the Society.
- 1991 — High Court ruling in favour of the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust; the Society later reconstituted.
- Early patrons: Anagārika Dharmapāla, Mrs Mary Foster Robinson, and the Thai Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
- Now headquartered at the London Buddhist Vihara, under the Anagarika Dharmapala Trust.
English talks
A programme of talks and discussion
Regular talks are given in English and are open to everyone — members of the Vihara community, visitors, and people encountering the Dhamma for the first time. Talks are usually followed by discussion and questions. Recordings are gathered under Learn and Practise → Talks.
[Talk schedule, speakers and how to take part to be provided by the Society.]
Beginner introductions, meditation guidance and the wider talks archive sit under Learn and Practise.
Publications
The Maha Bodhi journal and Society booklets
The Maha Bodhi, founded by Anagārika Dharmapāla in 1891, is one of the oldest Buddhist journals still in publication. The British Maha Bodhi Society also issues occasional booklets and papers connected with its talks and its history.
[Current status of the journal, how to read or subscribe, and a list of Society booklets to be provided by the Society.]
Elsewhere on the site
- General Buddhist books and the Vihara reference library — Learn and Practise → Publications.
- Recorded English-medium talks — Learn and Practise → Talks.