From Sujeeva Nivunhella - Our London Corr.
Princess Anne visited London Buddhist Vihara last Wednesday to celebrate her mother Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee to the throne with Buddhists in England.

Princess Anne was received by Head of the Vihara Dr. Medagama Vajiragnana thero and a patron of the temple Mr. Gamini Hewavitharana. A group of young girls chanted ‘Jayamangala Gatha’ when she entered the building.

She was also given a bouquet of flowers and she walked up to the shrine and placed the flowers by the Buddha statue. Around 250 invited guests from all Buddhist nationalities attended the function and dances from Sri Lanka, Nepal and Burma were performed in front of the Princess.

Talking to the gathering Princes Anne said that since she is a patron of ‘Save the Children Fund’ she is a frequent traveller to Buddhist countries such as Thailand, Mongolia and Tibet and she understands quite a bit about Buddhism. She said she was happy that the Buddhists were living peacefully in the UK and a large number of Westerners had shown interest in Buddhism. She also said that she was aware that Buddhist Groups in the UK visited prisoners and taught meditation which would help them to recover from guilt.

Most Ven. Dr. Vajiragnana said that that was the first time a senior member of the Royal family visited the London Buddhist Vihara during its 75-year history and it was a great honour to the Buddhists. He also blessed the Queen and gave a small Buddha statue to Princess Anne as a gift. Princess Anne also unveiled a plaque where a new building is going to be built with better facilities for the resident monks.