Ladywood’s Buddhist Pagoda, the Dhamma Talaka Vihara, opened in 1998 by Edgbaston Reservoir on the south eastern edge of the city centre. Constructed to a traditional Tibetan design, it is the only vihara built in a traditional manner in the western hempishere. The Sangharama Buddhist Monastery opened alongside it in 2002.
The vihara and associated monastery are dedicated to the teachings of Aggamahapandita Rewata Dhamma. Dhamma constructed the site to hold relics belonging to the former Buddhist royal family. In addition to the relics, housed in the building’s distinctive golden dome, the building also contains a fragment of the Berlin Wall demolished in 1989. The fragment of the wall is retained as a symbol of peace, unity and the overcoming of division.
External pictures of the Vihara
Close up of a dragon carving standing outside Ladywood Pagoda.
The entrance to Ladywood Pagoda.
Looking straight at the entrance of Ladywood Pagoda. Edgbaston Reservoir can be glimpsed in the background.
The entrance, gold dome and one of the dragon carvings at Ladywood Pagoda.
Close up shot of the entrance to Ladywood Pagoda. It is flanked by two brightly painted dragon carvings.
Entrance to Ladywood Pagoda. The monk’s accommodation can be seen to the side.
Exterior shot showing the golden dome of Ladywood Pagoda.
Inside the Vihara
Panorama of the main worship space in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Large “enthroned” Buddha on shrine in the main room of the Ladywood Pagoda.
Standing in front of the main shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda.
In discussion with a monk at Ladywood Pagoda.
Monks in contemplation before the shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Religious texts on the shelves in the Ladywood Pagoda’s library.
A small shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda’s library.
Religious Artifacts in the Vihara
The Ladywood Pagoda’s large Buddha and the decorations that surround it.
Close up of statue of female Buddha in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Close up of small Buddhas in the Ladywood Pagoda.
In front of the large Buddha statue in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Statues comprising the shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda
Close up of some of the icons comprising the shrine in the Ladywood Pagoda.
Painting of the Buddha Tanhankara on the wall of the Ladywood Pagoda to inspire believers.
A sacred text lies unbound on a table in the Ladywood Pagoda.
A dense aray of icons surrounds the large Buddah in the Ladywood Pagoda
A large Buddha statue is a centerpiece of the altar display in the Ladywood Pagoda.
In the Ladywood Pagoda a row of Buddhas sits below a selection of pictures showing countries where Buddhists comprise a substantial proportion of the population.
Small standing Buddah in the form of a young male in the Ladywood Pagoda. It stands in-front of a quantity of jos sticks used as an aid to reflection.
Small standing Buddha in the Ladywood Pagoda. The Pagoda’s iconography reflects several different strands of the Buddhist tradition.
Decorations in the Ladwood Pagoda. The illustrations of the prayer wheel and Buddha are intended to signify and inspire devotion.
Female Buddha with child in the Ladywood Pagoda
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