Dr. Kassapa thero is the third Buddhist monk to be honoured in UK

The chief incumbent of the Birmingham Buddhist Maha Vihara, Ven. Dr. Witharandeniye Kassapa is being honourably felicitated with the Order of British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth –ll.

Ven. Kassapa who is a respected dhamma teacher had palyed an important role in providing "humanitarian assistance" and "Dharmaprachara" in the UK and the outside world.

He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in 1968 at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo under the preceptor, the Most Ven. Deundara Wachchissara Nayaka Thera and the Most Ven.Galaboda Gnanissara Nayake thera.

Ven Kassapa who is the president of the International Buddhist Relief Organisation (I.B.R.O.) started his humanitarian services when he was working for the “World Fellowship of Buddhists” based in Bangkok, Thailand in 1983.

In 1986, he was invited by the Baba Saheb Ambedkar Buddhist Association in Birmingham, United Kingdom to teach Buddhism and lay the foundation for Buddhist cultural and social activities amongst the Ambedkarite Indian Buddhist Community.

As a respect to Rev. Kassapa’s untiring relief works for the world community during last two and half decades, the hounarable monk was included in New Year’s Honours List 2007, and was appointed O.B.E.