Church turned into Buddhist centre in £500,000 refurbishment

A derelict church in Hebburn on Tyneside is being turned into a Buddhist meditation centre in a £500,000 refurbishment.

St Andrew's Church will become part of the Dhammakaya Meditation Centre. The Grade 2 listed building was built in 1872 by shipbuilding magnate Andrew Leslie of the famous Hawthorn Leslie shipyard.

For a full report click below.

Phra Sander, one of the monks at the centre, explained how he became a Buddhist and why the centre had been set up in Hebburn. Click below for an extended interview.