On 3 July 2012, Diamond Way Buddhism was granted Planning Permission to complete the sale of the Beaufoy Institute, 39 Black Prince Road, Lambeth. We will transform the Beaufoy into the biggest Buddhist meditation centre in central London, and brought back into use for the whole community. Our vision for the Beaufoy is one that will breathe new life into the building, preserving the heritage of the original listed building, whilst ensuring it meets the needs of the Buddhist community in London, local people in Lambeth and London as a whole (click on thumbnails below to see artists impressions of the project).
Diamond Way Buddhism worked closely with council officers as well as carrying out an extensive consultation of the local community, in an effort to bring forward plans that not only recognise the rich heritage of the important local building, but also to allow the building to welcome visitors from all walks of life.
Here are some pictures of the outside of the building taken from Black Prince Road and Vauxhall Street (click on thumbnails to enlarge):
Below are some pictures from inside the building, showing the potential of the space, and also giving a taste for the scale of renovation works needed (click on thumbnails to enlarge):
We are incredibly grateful to all our friends for the many, many, many, many, many good wishes over recent years. As you can see, there is a lot of work to be done, and we will need your continued good wishes and support in whatever way you can in the coming months and years, whether it be financial, skilled work, heavy lifting, clearing out the clutter, or finer work to renovate and decorated inside.
Celebration!
Tens of thousands of Buddhists in 620 centres worldwide today praise the UK and the honourable Lambeth Council for the decision on the Beaufoy Institute on the evening of 3 July. We promise to make it into a cultural jewel for the benefit of many.
In connection with the purchase, some questions came up that should be clarified here. We are Buddhists and as such humanists. Politically all are of course free to make any choices but we naturally attract those with a wide and historic worldview.
Being responsible democrats in whichever country, Diamond Way Buddhists observe historic events and the values held by different cultures and societies, and see the freedoms and human development they promise for our children and future societies.
But being Buddhists, we know that everybody’s mind, the mirror behind the images, is clear light. All therefore have Buddha nature and may for this reason be led to a positive view.
Thank you again and if you can come to give a helping hand – in the restoration or with the economy – we shall be able to do more soon.
In the name of the Karma Kagyu Diamond Way,
Yours Lama Ole Nydahl
Over the last months, many of our visiting teachers have already been given tours of the Beaufoy building, including Pedro Gomez, Tomek Lehnert, Marta Kessler, Wojtek Tracewski and Manfred Seegers. The pictures below were taken in November 2011 when Lama Ole Nydahl visited London.
As interfaith collaboration was key to the fantastic result, we will continue to strengthen the links with all the religious communities represented in Lambeth, and make the new property a suitable vessel for promoting peace and harmonious relations in the community, in the spirit of wisdom which the Beaufoy Institute embodies. We look forward to adding further richness and diversity to the current Buddhist offers in Lambeth and Vauxhall, and anticipate much fruitful cooperation in the coming years.
Other posts which may be of interest :
Tags: Beaufoy Institute, Diamond Way, Lambeth, London Buddhist Centre, Planning, Vauxhall
Dear old friends from London,
Well I only just heard news of this and came immediately here to see pictures and read this great blog. It has been I think around 7 years since I left London and remember our struggles back then in attempts to find a new place and heard the many stories since. Am totally chuffed to hear the news and so pleased for you all and wow what potential this place has! Love the big arches, grand entrance, big old style windows and massive space.
The persistence and endurance through many obstacles, near misses, troubles over a long time to find a suitable place reminds me of the stories of the likes of Naropa, Marpa, Milerepa etc in their quest to get the teachings and practice them for the benefit of all. It is really inspiring and wish you all the best for coming hard work in restoration and renovations.
All best wishes from retreat in NZ
Kim
I recently cycled past this building while scouting for empty locations for filming. I spoke briefly with the security guard there who said he thought it was being demolished – something I was astonished by, hence my internet search and ending up here. I’m so glad to find that the building will be put to good use after all. Good luck with the redevelopment.