100th Anniversary of Das Buddhistische Haus(1924 – 2024)
Posted on April 27th, 2024
Organizing Committee
COMMEMORATION
August 3– 4, 2024
Das Buddhistische Haus (DBH)
Berlin – Frohnau, Germany
Buddhist Theme
Avoid all unwholesome deeds
Cultivate wholesome deeds”
(Sabba Papassa Akaranam”
Kusalassa Upasampada”)
Two Day Program
Exhibition – August 3, 2024 (Saturday)
Venue – DBH premises
Exhibition on the founding of the DBH, History, Pioneers, German Dharmaduta Society, and the Buddhist Mission to Germany from Sri Lanka.
Tour of the premises of DBH
Release of Festschrift
International Buddhist Conference – August 4, 2024 (Sunday)
Venue: Zehelendorf Community Hall or a Hall in Berlin – Tegel
Hosts – Das Buddhistische Haus and the German Dharmaduta Society
Historical Background and Rationale for holding the Conference
The success of Buddhism is mainly due to the Buddha. He taught universal truths applicable anywhere and at any time. He was an exponent of natural law. Buddhism starts with the knowledge of the known ‘Dukkha‘(suffering) and places emphasis on self–reliance for salvation. ‘Wander alone’ like a rhinoceros said the Buddha (“Khaggavisana Sutta: A Rhinoceros”). The current explosion of ‘Atheism’ in the Western world has its roots largely in the Buddhist teachings of Meditation and Mindfulness based on self–reliance without dependence on an external saviour. However, the survival of the Dhamma in its pristine form requires support and organizational help from time to time to enable the Buddha’s message to be preserved. Great personages have been born to protect and spread Buddhism.
Anagarika Dharmapala, the World’s first global Buddhist Missionary, delivered a far-reaching speech under the topic ‘The World’s Debt to the Buddha’ at the World Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in 1893 and drew international attention to the Message of the Buddha. The Anagarika was particularly concerned with making Buddhism attractive to a Western audience.
Furthermore, the interest in Buddhism generated by the Buddhist Revival movement in Ceylon and the victories won by the Buddhists in the five great debates in Ceylon (especially the debate held in Panadura in 1873, known colloquially as the ‘Panadura Vadaya’) attracted Western scholars, professionals, writers and many qualified individuals to visit Ceylon, embrace Buddhism and follow the Buddhist way of life. Anagarika Dharmapala himself was present at the ‘Panadura Vadaya’ (1873) as a young boy of nine years. Colonel Henry Olcott and Madame Helena Blavatsky (from the USA) were the most prominent of the visitors from overseas. Their contribution to the cause of Buddhism is legendary.
Dr. Paul Dahlke
Dr. Paul Dahlke (Germany) was a successful Doctor practicing in Homeopathy Medicine. He falls into the category of visitors who traveled to Ceylon seeking a wider knowledge of Buddhism. However, he was exposed to Buddhist thought at the outset by the writings of the eminent German Philosopher, Artur Schopenhauer. Dr. Hellmuth Hecker, one of the Chroniclers of Buddhism in Germany, adds that Dahlke was not initially interested in Buddhism, but that Buddhism would not let go of him. Dahlke traveled to Ceylon in 1900 for the second time to study Buddhism. He embraced Buddhism on this visit. He visited Ceylon eight times.
He studied Pali and Buddhism at the Parama DhammaChethiya Pirivena, Ratmalana. He met highly reputed Buddhist teachers among them the monks Ven. Hikkaduwe Sumangala, Suriyagoda Sumangala, Nyananissara and Wagiswara. When World War I (1914 – 1918) intervened Dahlke was in Germany and could no longer travel to Ceylon as he had planned. His desire to lead the life of a Bhikkhu (monk) in a Buddhist Temple could not be realized due to the hot humid weather conditions in Ceylon. Alternatively, he led the life of an Upasaka in Germany.
After the end of WW I, with great determination and vision, Dahlke bought a plot of land (6 acres) in the scenic town of Berlin – Frohnau and commissioned the architect Max Meyer to build ‘Das Buddhistische Haus’ using symbols of Theravada Buddhist architecture prevalent in Ceylon. He moved into the House in 1924. His activities comprised daily Buddhist meetings as well as presentations and publications. He died in 1928 and his remains were buried on the property of DBH.
He was a prolific Buddhist writer. Anagarika Dharmapala called Paul Dahlke one of the ‘most efficient and able pens’ for the Buddhist cause in Europe”.
Das Buddhistische Haus was originally meant to be a mid-way solution between a monastery and laymen’s habitation (Kurt Fischer). DBH is the oldest Theravada Buddhist Centre in Germany (and Europe). It is an architectural marvel that reflects the essence of Theravada Buddhist principles. The Dahlke family was in charge of DBH after the death of Dr. Dahlke. His sister Bertha Dahlke managed the premises with the help of Kurt Fischer (Dahlke’s Secretary) for a short time. However, in 1930 there was a rift with Bertha Dahlke, which led to Kurt Fischer and Lavinia Countess Monts founding their movement ‘Buddhistes Holzhouse’ in 1930 in Holzhaus on the site in competition with Bertha Dahlke.
Uposatha ceremonies were conducted when the opportunity arose at DBH (1928 – 1957).
Asoka Weeraratna
Asoka Weeraratna is the next important figure in the History of Das Buddhistische Haus. As much as Paul Dahlke will be remembered for being the ‘Founder’ of DBH, Asoka Weeraratna will be remembered as the ‘Saviour’ of DBH.
In a seminal article on the state of Buddhism in Germany, ‘Buddhism and Buddhist Studies in Germany’, Maha Bodhi Journal, Vol. 79, (February – March 1971) page 99, Dr. Hans Wolfgang Schumann, a Chronicler of Buddhism in Germany, raises a significant question as follows: Shouldn’t Germans be grateful to Sri Lankan Buddhist Societies for giving organizational help at several critical periods of Buddhism in Germany and thereby helping in saving the flame of the Buddha Dhamma in Germany”?
Dr. Hans Wolfgang Schumann, answers as follows:
Another important Buddhist Centre is the ‘Buddhist House’ founded by Paul Dahlke in Berlin – Frohnau in 1924. It survived World War II in a dilapidated condition and probably would have been auctioned and dismantled if the Ceylonese ‘German Dhammaduta Society’ (founded in 1952) which inherited a large sum of money from a German Buddhist (Walther Schmits) had not come to its rescue. The GDS purchased the house in 1958, renovated it, and furnished it with additional rooms, and a well-stocked library, and Ceylonese Bhikkhus (monks) sent by the GDS took charge of regular lectures and meditation courses.” (Maha Bodhi Journal, Vol. 79) (March 1971).
Dr. Schumann further states: Asian Buddhist mission was successful. The organizational help that Asian Buddhist Societies, in particular Ceylon, in several critical periods, had extended saved the flame of the Dhamma in Germany. Isn’t this for the Germans’ reason enough to be grateful?”
Note
These are the words of an eminent German i.e., Dr. Schumann, crediting Asoka Weeraratna and the German Dharmaduta Society for helping save the flame of the Buddha Dhamma in Germany by rescuing Das Buddhistische Haus.
Asoka Weeraratna was a visionary Sinhala Buddhist (birth in the town of Galle). He had his early education at Mahinda College, a Buddhist Boys’ School established by Henry Olcott in 1892. Asoka was a partner of P.J. Weeraratna & Sons (a firm of Jewellers and Watch dealers) together with his elder brother Dharmasena Weeraratna (partner).
Asoka Weeraratna founded the Lanka Dhammaduta Society in Colombo on September 21, 1952, following a Business Trip to Europe in 1951. Disheartened heavily by what he saw on this trip – a devastated Germany and the misery of its people adversely affected by the effects of World War Two, Asoka Weeraratna decided to bring to Germany the Buddha’s healing message – the best gift that Asia could offer to the Western World i.e., the gift of the Buddha Dhamma.
Asoka led a band of enthusiastic noble Buddhists including the former Prime Minister Hon. Dudley Senanayake and with their blessings public support and a zealous fund-raising drive, Asoka Weeraratna succeeded in leading the First Buddhist Mission to Germany comprising Three Buddhist Monks Ven. Soma, Kheminda, and Vinita (all selected from the Vajiraramaya Temple in Bambalapitiya) in June 1957. The Mission on arrival in Berlin took up residence in Das Buddhistische Haus on July 02, 1957.
The next milestone in this remarkable story is the purchase of DBH from the family of Dr. Dahlke. Asoka Weeraratna bought the property of DBH after conducting elaborate negotiations with the relatives of Dr. Dahlke on December 13, 1957. There were several hurdles to clear concerning the purchase of the premises. There were three owners of the property of which one was a minor and therefore Asoka had to make a special trip to the island of Sylt (near Denmark) where he had to obtain sanction from the District Court for the sale of the minor’s share.
The ‘Observer’ (January 12, 1958) reported the acquisition of the DBH as follows:
Buddhists of Ceylon have taken a great stride forward in establishing the Buddha Sasana in Germany and other countries of the West. They have acquired the famous Frohnau House in West Berlin which will become the first Vihara and permanent Buddhist Settlement in Europe. The German Dharmaduta Society acquired the premises from the heirs of Paul Dahlke, pioneer of Buddhist work in Germany. He studied Pali and Buddhism at the Parama Dhamma Chetiya Pirivena at Ratmalana. After his return to Germany, he led the life of an Upasaka and devoted his time to the dissemination of Buddhism among the German people. He is the author of several scholarly works on Buddhism”.
Today
Ever since 1957, Buddhist Monks from Sri Lanka have taken up residence at DBH for the propagation of Buddhism in Germany and the West. Dhamma discourses, Meditation Retreats, and Mindfulness teaching are a few of the many forms of disseminating the wisdom of the Buddha to Europeans as well as non–Europeans. This is happening regularly at DBH.
The resident monks have braved the cold weather, the different varieties of food, and other challenges that confront visitors from Asian countries to Europe. The Govt of Sri Lanka and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Berlin have been extending unstinted support and patronage to the work of DBH and the GDS (since its founding in 1952 beginning with the then-former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake).
The Dayakayas (patrons) constitute Germans and other European and non–European nationalities and last but not least the members of the Sri Lankan (Sinhala) community of Berlin and other parts of Germany. Their cooperation is wholeheartedly welcomed and gratefully appreciated.
The transformation of DBH into a modern and much improved Centre for the propagation of Theravada Buddhism with monks brought over from predominantly Buddhist countries, mainly Sri Lanka, constitutes a watershed in the history of Buddhism. If it wasn’t for the vision and boundless energy of ‘Weera Asoka’ and his German Dharmaduta Society we would not be having a Maha Viharaya of Berlin (DBH) being the oldest Theravada Buddhist Temple in Europe, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of DBH founded by Paul Dahlke.
Several new developments have taken place in the last couple of years at DBH. Berlin Maha Viharaya (colloquial Sinhala term for DBH) also functions as a Dhamma School for school children and is equipped with IT facilities to facilitate the teaching of the Dhamma. The number of students is growing. The Berlin Vihara thereby provides an immeasurable service to the whole world. The teaching faculty includes volunteers who are well qualified and multilingual i.e., German, English, and Sinhala.
Being able to participate in an event that commemorates the services rendered in the last 100 years (1924 – 2024) by the Maha Viharaya (DBH) is a great honour. The Berlin Maha Viharaya dedicates itself to continuing to spread the teachings of the Buddha in Europe with piety and in the interest of the well-being of humanity and all other living beings.
The Aims and Objectives of the Conference
a) The Conference aims to bring together participants from leading Buddhist institutions worldwide to focus attention on the scope for the spread of Buddhism and the challenges faced in such endeavours including the protection and preservation of Buddhism in traditional Buddhist countries.
b) The Conference will provide a platform for scholars, practitioners, and devotees to read papers, engage in meaningful discussions, share insights, and foster fellowship and a sense of unity and collaboration among the global Buddhist community.
c) The Conference will discuss the key issues and barriers that stand in the way of the propagation of the Dhamma in Western countries amidst the rapidly changing political and religious landscape in Europe. It will also support the
1. Buddhist contribution to world peace and harmony, and
2. Give an insight into the history of the Buddhist House (Das Buddhistische Haus) and the service it has rendered in the last 100 years.
d) Questions for long-term evaluation
1. Critical review of current activities and developing an outlook for the coming years
2. How should GDS/DBH want to distinguish itself from the many other Buddhist institutions in the future (what are our unique points?)
Conference Participants
The Conference is intended to bring together Buddhist leaders, Buddhist research institutions, scholars, and the General community.
Program
Exhibition Venue:
The exhibition will be held at the temple premises on 03rd August 2024 (Saturday) with a focus on the establishment, history, and pioneers of the DBH at various stages of its history.
Conference Venue:
The Conference will be held at an outside venue (preferably Zehlendorf community hall or a hall in Berlin – Tegel) on 04th August 2024 (Sunday).
02nd August 2024 (Friday)
Arrival of Participants and check-in to the hotels
03rd August 2024 (Saturday)
07:30 am – Breakfast
09:30 am – Gathering at the Temple and Registration for the first day.
09:45 am – Welcome remarks and Opening Ceremony.
10:00 am – Official commencement of the Exhibition
11:00 am – Dana meal for the monks and nuns
12:30 pm – Lunch for the laypersons
04:00 pm – Meditation program for all participants
06:00 pm – Tea Break
07:00 pm – Evening chanting
08:00 pm – Dinner for the laypersons
04th August 2024 (Sunday)
07:30 am – Breakfast
09:30 am – Gathering at the Temple and Registration for the second day
10:30 am – Lunch time for the monks and nuns
Noon 12.00 p.m. – Lunch time for laypersons
01:00 pm – Departure from the Temple to the Conference Hall.
03:00 pm – Commencement of the Conference.
06:00 pm – Conclusion.
06:30 pm – Departure from the Hall to the accommodations
Refreshments
08:00 pm – Offering tea for the monks and nuns / Dinner for the laypersons
05th August 2024 (Monday)
07:30 am – Breakfast
09:00 am – Sightseeing tour for the guest participants.
Note: – The monks, nuns, and lay persons who participate in the ceremony as the invitees may depart on the same day to your countries or choose to travel wherever you would like to visit by yourself. This is the last day that we are responsible for the accommodation of those who arrive from other countries. If you want to continue to stay longer, you may reside in the Temple, but let us know about it in advance. We provide accommodation in the Hotels only until the 05th of August. You have to check out from the Hotels on the 06th of August before noon.
Thank you
With Metta
Organizing Committee
see alsohttps://das-buddhistische-haus.de/pages/de/100-jahre-das-buddhistische-haus