Gamble on Buddha:

A casino may seem a strange place for a Buddhist epiphany.

But for David Everard now known as the Venerable Kelsang Lodro, a teacher of Kadampa Buddhism at the Heruka Buddhist Centre in Woodstock Road, Golders Green the time he spent as a croupier was instrumental in his journey of spiritual enlightenment.

“It was about 15 years ago, when I was 32. I was a croupier and a gaming inspector in casinos. Obviously, when you come into contact with the incredibly rich, you soon realise money doesn’t bring happiness some of the most miserable people in the world are very rich,” he said.