London Buddhist Centre
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The London Buddhist Centre (LBC) in Bethnal Green, London is part of a local network of Buddhist businesses and organisations within the Bethnal Green area. This mandala includes Buddhist communities, shops, a restaurant and cafe, an arts centre and a holistic health centre. It is located in highly ornate and vernacular building which was once a Victorian fire station. The building was originally completed in 1884 and served as a fire station until 1969. It was fire damaged in the 1970s before being completely renovated and converted for its current use by Buddhist volunteers. The LBC opened in 1978 and is now at the centre of a large community of practicing Buddhists who live and work in the area. The centre is part of the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) and provides training in meditation as well as courses on Buddhism. Retreats are also organised at its Suffolk retreat centre Vajrasana.
The centre has many areas which are open to the public including a library, bookshop and reception room with painted murals as well as two very ornate shrine rooms with carvings of the Buddha. These Buddha figures or "rupas" were carved by Chintamani, a member of the FWBO.
