Kent's only Buddhist temple is up and running in Gravesend. Reporter ALISON WHITE looks around the self-funded building and learns about the Buddhists' efforts to demystify their way of life.

FROM outside, Rose Street's temple looks like any other community building.

Inside is an oasis of calm where Buddhists make daily offerings of food to the temple's two resident monks.

However, the metal gates protecting the entrances betray the shaky time the Buddhist community has suffered recently.

Last year, arsonists struck three times at a building in Colyer Road, Northfleet, the Buddhists were trying to convert into a temple.

It became a target for vandals who smashed windows, stripped wooden panelling and threw stones at a Buddhist monk.

The last straw came when the front wall of the building was ripped away by vandals.

Now 250 devotees are enjoying their new temple after agreeing to rent the Rose Street Community Centre in Rose Street, Northfleet, for the next 10 years.

Although not completely finished, the temple conversion has become a focal point for the Buddhist community to meet and make offerings.

At 11.15am every day they offer plates of food to the two monks, who only eat before noon and fast for the rest of the day.

Buddhists believe making offerings is the best way of earning merits in their next life.

When the monks have taken their share of food, the rest is shared between the group sitting on plush red carpet in the temple's main room.

Building a temple is also a great honour for Buddhists and many people have donated their time and equipment.

Thanks to the hard work of volunteers, both Buddhists and people from other faiths, the meditation rooms, kitchen, bathrooms and shower room still under construction are taking shape.

An official opening is planned for January next year, and officials from the Thai embassy have been invited.

However, it is already business as usual at the temple and the Buddhists are keen to share their building with the whole community.

The chairman of Buddhists in Gravesham, Harry Smith, says he is keen to demystify the religion and let people know about their way of life.

Buddhism focuses on personal spiritual development and gaining an insight into the nature of life. It does not follow a god.

Meditation is used by Buddhists to separate themselves from thoughts and feelings and become fully aware.

Mr Smith, who is a lead nurse at Darent Valley Hospital and the mayor of Gravesham, said: "It's not just about Buddhism.

"We are family. It's about a way of life.

"We are a quiet, peace-loving community within the community and we want to invite people in.

"There is nothing unusual going on in here."