Places of worship, Factory Road, Handsworth

Image: © A J Paxton Taken: 23 Mar 2022

There are at least two places of worship visible in this photo. In the distance can be seen the steeple of St Michael's Church of England parish church at Soho Hill. Less obviously, the factory building on the right hand side is a Buddhist vihara in the Ambedkar tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian politician, social activist and religious leader. He took up the cause of Dalits, formerly known as 'untouchables', members of the lowest castes in Hindu society, and was himself from this community. Much to the chagrin of Gandhi, Ambedkar rejected Hindu tradition and encouraged his fellow Dalits to convert to the way of Buddha. Although Buddhism had originated in India, it had relatively few Indian adherents at that time, the early 20th century. The Ambedkar Buddhists have a fine purpose-built vihara nearby in Wolverhampton Image See also this Heritage England e-publication, A Survey of Buddhist Buildings in England, by Emma Tomalin and Caroline Starkey, p42 https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/survey-of-buddhist-buildings-in-england/buddhist-buildings/

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