German Dharmaduta Society (AI assisted)

Preservation and Dissemination of Theravāda Buddhism

Preservation of the Pāli Canon: The Theravāda Pāli Canon, the foundational scripture for Southern Buddhism, was first committed to writing in Sri Lanka at Aluvihara in the 1st century BCE, ending a long tradition of oral transmission. This written record has been crucial for preserving the teachings in their original form.

• Scholarly Center and Commentaries: Sri Lanka, particularly the ancient Mahāvihāra monastery, became a renowned center for Buddhist scholarship. South Indian scholars associated with the Mahāvihāra, such as Buddhaghosa (4th–5th century CE), translated the existing Sinhala commentaries (like the Maha-atthakatha) into Pāli. This established Pāli as the lingua franca for Theravāda scholarship, allowing easier transmission of the tradition to other parts of Asia.
• Propagation in Southeast Asia: The Mahāvihāra Theravāda school, with its emphasis on strict adherence to the Vinaya (monastic discipline), gradually spread throughout mainland Southeast Asia. Sinhala monks played a major role in establishing Theravāda Buddhism in Myanmar (late 11th century), Thailand (13th-14th centuries), and Cambodia and Laos (by the end of the 14th century). Monks from these regions would travel to Sri Lanka to be re-ordained within the prestigious Sinhala Sangha (monastic community) before returning to establish the tradition in their home countries.
• Restoration of the Sangha: At times when the monastic order in other countries or even in Sri Lanka itself declined (e.g., due to war or colonial rule), the Sinhala Sangha helped restore the ordination lineage. For example, Thai monks helped revive the bhikkhu community in Sri Lanka in the 18th century, a reciprocal act for the earlier transmission (establishing the Lankavamsa in Thailand by the Sinhala monks) 

Modern Global Propagation

• Pioneering Western Missions: In the modern era, Sinhala Buddhists were at the forefront of introducing Buddhism to the West. Anagarika Dharmapala was a key figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He represented Theravāda Buddhism at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893 and founded the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926, one of the first Buddhist centers in Europe. He was supported by Ven. Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Maha Nayake Thero whose written speech was read out by the Anagarika at the Parliament of Religions in Chicago.
• Propagation in the West

Pioneering Western Missions:

In the modern era, key Sinhalese like Anagarika Dharmapala and Asoka Weeraratna pioneered the establishment of Buddhist centers in Western countries. Dharmapala founded the London Buddhist Vihara in 1926, and Asoka Weeraratna converted the already established Das Buddhistische Haus (DBH) founded by Dr. Paul Dahlke in 1924 in Berlin – Frohnau, Germany into a Buddhist Vihara (the first Buddhist Vihara in continental Europe) in 1957.

• Founding of Organizations: Dharmapala also founded the Maha Bodhi Society in India to reintroduce Buddhism there, which now has branches in many countries. The Buddhist Publication Society, founded in Kandy, by lay Buddhists A.S. Karunaratne and Richard Abeysekere along with the German – born monk Ven. Nyanaponika has been instrumental in publishing English-language books and translations of the Pāli Canon and other texts, making the teachings accessible to a global audience. Asoka Weeraratna founded the German Dharmaduta Society (GDS) in Colombo in 1952. Last year (2024) the GDS together with the management (Tissa Weeraratna) and Resident monks at DBH (Berlin Vihara) led by Ven Pelane Dhammakusala Thero commemorated the 100th Anniversary of Das Buddhistische Haus in Berlin. A handsome volume under the caption ‘100 years Das Buddhistiche Haus’ covering the history of Buddhism in Germany and history of the Buddhist Haus in particular, was released on this occasion. The architect of this rare volume was a German national, Dr. Winfrid Liebrich who served as the Chief Editor together with Senaka Weeraratna and Tissa Weeraratna as Co – Editors. The American Vietnamese Bhikshuni Dr. Bich Lien also known as Ven Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata generously sponsored the publication.
• https://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2025/05/10/vietnamese-bhiksuni-dr-bich-lien-meets-president-anura-kumara-dissanayake-at-un-day-of-vesak-in-vietnam/
•                https://www.sundaytimes.lk/240804/news/berlin-buddhist-vihara-centenary-celebration-held-at-temple-trees-566176.html
•                 https://share.google/aimode/HTRX755kqEGTQvOBr
•                   https://buddhismus-aktuell.de/rezension/100-jahre-gelebter-und-gelehrter-buddhismus-im-buddhistischen-haus-berlin-frohnau/
• Establishing Viharas and Societies in Europe: Asoka Weeraratna was another pioneering Dharmaduta worker. While as a young Sinhalese businessman, he organized and led the First Buddhist Mission from Sri Lanka to Germany which comprised three leading monks drawn from the reputed Sri Vajiraramaya Temple in Bambalapitiya, Colombo 4. The monks on this historic journey to the West comprised Ven. Soma, Ven. Kheminde and Ven. Bope Vinita Thero. Asoka Weeraratna negotiated the purchase of Das Buddhistische Haus with the heirs of Dr Paul Dahlke and bought the Das Buddhistische Haus in December 1957, which was founded by the pioneering German Buddhist Dr. Paul Dahlke in 1924. It is situated on a large block of land amidst a picturesque hillock in Berlin – Frohnau. Asoka Weeraratna under the auspices of his German Dharmaduta Society (founded by him in Colombo in 1952) converted DBH into a Buddhist Vihara (This was the first Buddhist Vihara in Continental Europe) with monks resident since 1957 and missionary work continues to this day under the management of Mr. Tissa Weeraratna and a Religious program conducted under the leadership of Ven. Pelane Dhamma Kusala Thero, a disciple of the late Ven. Homagama Kondanna Maha Thero. Ven. Talpavila Kusalagnana Thero, a scholar Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka, and resident at DBH and conversant with German, English and Sinhala languages is strongly associated with this Buddhist religious program.
• The 100^th anniversary of Das Buddhistische Haus (1924 – 2024) was commemorated on a fitting scale in both Berlin and Colombo last year. Prime Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena (Chief Guest) gave his fullest support and allocated Temple Trees for the holding of the grand function on August 03, 2024. There were over 620 people present comprising the Sangha, laity and distinguished persons including high ranking diplomats such as the Chinese Ambassador H.E. Mr. Qi Zhenhong, German Ambassador Dr. Felix Neumann (Guest of Honour), Indian Deputy High Commissioner Hon. Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, among others.
• The Commemoration was held in Berlin spread over two days (August 3 and 4, 2024), ending with an International Buddhist Academic Conference held in the Zehlendorf Community Centre, Berlin on August 04, 2024. Professor Martin Baumann, German Buddhist Scholar, was the chief guest and keynote speaker.

Over 40 Buddhist monks from all over the world were in attendance including several Ambassadors from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Germany Ms. Varuni Muthukumarana and members of her Embassy staff played a key supporting role and she delivered a speech on Sri Lanka’s support for the cause of Buddhism and its propagation overseas.

• One of the key features on both occasions was the launch of the Book ‘100 years Das Buddhistische Haus’ published by the German Dharmaduta Society (available at Vijitha Yapa Bookshops). American Vietnamese Bhikshuni Dr. Bich Lien also known as Ven Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata sponsored the publication.

          Chief Guest Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena delivering the keynote speech.

           Picture shows Dr. Felix Neumann, German Ambassador, receiving the First Day Cover

from the Director of the Philatelic Bureau.

           Left to Right: Major – General Sardha Abeyratne (President, German Dharmaduta Society), Mr. Senaka Weeraratna (Hony. Secretary, German Dharmaduta Society), Dr. Felix Neumann (German Ambassador), Mr. Mahinda Abeywardena (Speaker), Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena (partly covered) and the Director of the Philatelic Bureau is seen handing over the First Day Cover to Dr. Felix Neumann.

Scholarship and Translations: Sri Lanka has been an important center for Buddhist scholarship in Western languages. Western monks like the German Nyanatiloka Mahāthera studied and ordained in Sri Lanka. Along with their students, such as Nānamoli Bhikkhu and Ven. Nyānaponika, they produced numerous important translations of the Pāli Canon and commentaries into English and German, making the scriptures accessible to a global audience.

• Founding the Maha Bodhi Society: Anagarika Dharmapala founded the Maha Bodhi Society in India to reintroduce Buddhism to the land of its origin and to reclaim Buddhist holy sites like Bodh Gaya from Hindu control, with branches later established in other countries. 

Through these efforts, Sinhala Buddhists have ensured the continuity and global reach of the Theravāda tradition, influencing Buddhist practice and scholarship worldwide. 

Group Photograph taken at Das Buddhistische Haus on August 03, 2024, on the commemoration of the

100^th anniversary of DBH (1924 – 2024)

A Photograph taken at Das Buddhistische Haus on August 03, 2024, on the commemoration of the

100^th anniversary of DBH (1924 – 2024)

Photo: 3rd from the left

• American Vietnamese Bhikshuni Dr. Bich Lien also known as Ven Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata who sponsored the publication ‘100 years Das Buddhistische Haus’.

                    Photo taken at the entrance to the Das Buddhistische Haus

 Ms. Varuni Muttukumarana ( Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Germany) clad in white sari is seen in the middle of the front row of the photo