[1] The Vihara building, Grade II listed, was the social club for the Bedford Park garden suburb until 1939.

The building was designed by Norman Shaw; the interior, now much modified, was by Edward John May.

Shortly afterwards, the Vihara moved to Gloucester Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where it continued until the Second World War.

In 1955, the Vihara reopened in Ovington Square, Knightsbridge under the initiative of Sir Cyril de Zoysa.

Ven Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera was appointed as the chief bhikkhu in May 2008.