The Soul of Our Noble Cause
Venerable Maha Brithannye Kassapa is an eminent Buddhist monk of international renown currently based in West London. He was born in Kensington in the early 1960’s to English parents. Having spent his early years in Barnes he turned to Buddhism at the tender age of 13 and was ordained as a novice monk a year later in 1977 at the London Buddhist Vihara in Chiswick.
Samanera Kassapa left for Sri Lanka days after the ordination. He received his Higher Ordination in his twentieth year from his preceptor, an erudite monk belonging to the strictest forest tradition in Sri Lanka. Venerable Kassapa went on to lead an austere and secluded life in Sri Lanka, over a period of 21 years, residing in ancient forest temples and rock shelters throughout the island.
Ven. Great Britain Kassapa Mahathera with MADAM AMA JETSUN PEMA, sister of HIS HOLINESS THE DALAI LAAMA
Interview With Harindra Jayalal
Ceehale’s Inspiring Meeting with Chathura on Derana TV.
Throughout his stay in Sri Lanka Venerable Kassapa has been immensely touched by the warm, welcoming, sincere, and generous nature of the folk he came across, particularly the simple villagers who offered alms and attended to his needs. Within a relatively short time Venerable Kassapa was able to acquire an unparalleled fluency in the Sinhala language, both in the spoken and the written word.
Venerable Kassapa considers Sri Lanka as his other home. He is in awe of the ancient Sinhala Buddhist civilisation that nurtured and safeguarded the teachings of the Buddha throughout the millennia. He is particularly saddened by the adverse effects on the nation’s social fabric resulting from the extended periods of colonial rule. Venerable Kassapa firmly believes that Sri Lanka has much to learn and benefit from the ancient traditions and practices that once flourished in the land, underpinning a just, tolerant, and benevolent society rooted in the teachings of the Buddha.
Venerable Kassapa is engaged in numerous religious and social activities in and around London. He is a regular teacher and adviser to the British Buddhist Society in Victoria conducting weekly Mindfulness sessions. Venerable Kassapa also teaches at the Daham Pasala conducted by the Hounslow Buddhist Vihara and regularly participates in most activities organised by the Buddhist Viharas in and near London. He is also a spiritual advisor to the British Armed Forces on a voluntary basis.