The London Buddhist Vihara was founded in 1926 by
Anagarika Dharmapala. One of the temple's main benefactors during its early days was
Mary E. Foster, who financed ‘Foster House’ in Ealing. This was the first Sri Lankan Buddhist temple established outside Asia and was named the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926. Shortly afterwards, the Vihara moved to
Gloucester Road in the
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where it continued until the
Second World War. During the war, the temple premises were requisitioned, and the monks returned to Ceylon. In 1955, the Vihara reopened in
Ovington Square,
Knightsbridge under the initiative of
Sir Cyril de Zoysa.
Narada Nayaka Thera became the chief
bhikkhu of the Vihara in 1958. The Vihara moved to Heathfield Gardens,
Chiswick in 1964.
Hammalawa Saddhatissa Nayaka Thera subsequently became the chief bhikkhu of the Vihara and was succeeded in 1985 by Dr Medagama Vajiragnana Nayaka Thera. In 1994, the Vihara moved to its present premises at The Avenue, Chiswick.
Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera was appointed as the chief bhikkhu in May 2008. The Vihara has several resident bhikkhus from Sri Lanka, and conducts and actively engages in religious Buddhist activities in the region. ==Building==