This week, James and Luke were invited by Amal Abeyawardene, secretary of the British Maha Bodhi Society, to visit the London Buddhist Vihara, the oldest Buddhist temple outside of Asia. There, they explore how food offerings help tell stories of migration and tradition.

**Introduction** (0:00 – 4:58)

(Starter)

James and Luke begin by discussing where this episode's trip takes place, along with some context about Buddhism, migration, and its connection to food. They then introduce Amal Abeyawardene, secretary of the British Maha Bodhi Society, who shares more about the history of the London Buddhist Vihara Temple.

**Interview** (4:49 - 23:00)

(Main Course)

Amal Abeyawardene explains food offerings in Buddhist tradition and how monks, visiting nuns, and followers interact within the temple. James also speaks with Ven. Bogoda Seelawimala Nayaka Thera about the history and significance of Sanghamitta Day, and hears migration stories from Ruvini, one of the key organisers, as well as from temple visitors.

**Post-Interview** (23:00 – 29:50)

(Dessert)

The episode ends with a reflection on food offerings, the materiality of religion, and the history of Sri Lankan migration to the UK. Luke describes the dishes on display as a sensory experience that stirred vivid memories of Sri Lanka.

**Closing remarks and acknowledgments** (29:51- 30:38)

The Migration Menu has been brought to you by James Staples and Luke Heslop, with help from Vimal Dalal, Angele Ijeh, Stefeni Regalado, and Jafnah Uddin. If you have any questions or comments for us, send them in and we will address them in a future show, you can get in touch at info@themigrationmenu.com. Or on ‘X’ - formerly Twitter: @migration_menu and Instagram @themigrationmenu

Menu – Food eaten

• Tea
• Butter cake
• Fried potato curry
• Spicy green beans
• Cashew nuts in coconut milk
• Various daals
• Beetroot dish
• Fish curry
• Fish cutlets
• Wambatu Moju
• Chickpea Curry
• Vegetable stir fry
• Salads
• Fruit platters

Literature mentioned:

Kemper, S. (2015) Rescued from the nation: Anagarika dharmapala and the Buddhist world. Chicago, IL, USA: University of Chicago Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7208/chicago/9780226199108.001.0001.

In a merchant’s house life and work in small town Sri Lanka by Luke Heslop (coming out soon)

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This week, James and Luke are in Hayes at Guru Nanak Sikh Academy, a faith school where they’ve been invited for a special school dinner by head of history, Mr John Perkins. The occasion is Guru Nanak Gurpurab, celebrating the founder of Sikhism, and they’ll be joining 1,600 students and staff for a Langar which is a traditional Sikh community meal

**Introduction** (0:00 – 5:44)

(Starter)

James and Luke talk about other religious festivals before Luke explains Sikhism, outlining its key beliefs, history, and the significance of Langar.

**Interview** (5:47 – 13:30)

(Main Course)

John Perkins explains the school’s role in religious festivals and why Langar is so important to students and their families. James and Luke then speak with a group of Year 12 students about the origins of Langar, the significance of the food, and the way it is served and eaten, which Luke points out is an important detail for anthropologists. They also interview Maninder who oversees the kitchen and Mandeep, the school’s chief lunchtime supervisor, they share what Langar means to them.

**Post-Interview** (13:33 – 17:46)

(Dessert)

Luke gives a description of the scene unfolding in front of them. As well as a follow up discussion with Maninder.

**Closing remarks and acknowledgments** (17:50 – 23:30)

Luke and James discuss their main takeaways from this trip back to school.

The Migration Menu has been brought to you by James Staples and Luke Heslop, with help from Vimal Dalal, Angele Ijeh, Stefeni Regalado, and Jafnah Uddin. If you have any questions or comments for us, send them in and we will address them in a future show, you can get in touch at info@themigrationmenu.com. Or on ‘X’ - formerly Twitter: @migration_menu and Instagram @themigrationmenu

Menu – Food eaten

• Chickpea curry
• Naan bread
• Steamed rice
• Yogurt
• Salad
• Mango and mint chutney
• Semia paisum – milk pudding with vermicelli

Literature mentioned:

Engelke, M. (2011) ‘Material religion’, in The Cambridge Companion to Religious Studies. Cambridge University Press, pp. 209–229.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode James and Luke are in front of a live audience at the Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery, with special guests, Sohini Banerjee and Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard.

• Sohini is a British-Bengali chef who runs a successful London supper club called Smoke and Lime. Sohini has worked withchef Asma Khan of Darjeeling Express, chef Helen Graham of Bubala and Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, formerly of Jamavar. She’s also run her supper club, Smoke and Lime, for seven years – a venture which not only serves Bengali staples, but brings in ingredients and techniques from across the world, to produce her own particular brand of “Bangali Khabar” (Bengali food). 

• Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard Dr. Debbie Weekes-Bernard is the deputy mayor of London for Communities and Social Justice. Debbie's office has recently published a report exploring the barriers faced by Pakistani and Bangladeshi women in accessing “good work” – fairly paid, secure employment with progression opportunities – and which offers policy recommendations to address them.

**Introduction** (0:00 – 2:10)

Luke and James introduce the live episode

**Event introduction** (2:10 - 8:35)

Luke and James discuss the origins and motivations for the Migration Menu podcast and introduce their esteemed guests.

**Promo interlude** (8:35 - 19:40)

**Speaker introductions** (19:55 - 21:40)

**Interview with Sohini** (21:40 - 33:00)

**Interview with Debbie** (33:00 - 47:30)

**Post-Interview chat** (47:30 – 53:50)

The episode ends with some reflections on the event and emerging themes. Luke discusses some of the key findings of the Bangladeshi and Pakistani Women in Good Work report. - https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/communities-and-social-justice/workforce-integration-network-win/bangladeshi-and-pakistani-women-good-work/bangladeshi-and-pakistani-women-good-work

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.