German Dharmaduta Society

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many German intellectuals and seekers viewed British

occupied Ceylon  (modern-day Sri Lanka) as the “Mecca of Buddhism”. This fascination was driven by several key factors: 

• Purity of Doctrine: German scholars, influenced by the writings of Arthur Schopenhauer and Hermann Oldenberg, believed Ceylon preserved the “purest” form of Theravada Buddhism and the original Pali Canon.
• Ven. Nyanatiloka
• The Island Hermitage at Polgasduwa: Founded in 1911 by the German monk (born Anton Gueth), the Island Hermitage became the primary center for German-Buddhist migration and study.
• Intellectual Infrastructure: Germany was home to pioneering Buddhist scholarship, with professorial chairs for Pali and Sinhalese established at Universities like Berlin and Heidelberg by the mid-19th century.
• Ven. Nyanaponika , a German-born monk who became a leading authority on Theravada, solidified the spiritual bridge between the two nations.
• Leading Personalities: Figures like Dr. Paul Dahlke , who founded Das Buddhistische Haus in Berlin, and
• the German Dharmaduta Society, founded by Asoka Weeraratna in 1952, continued this legacy by sending Buddhist missions from Sri Lanka to Germany to satisfy a “spiritual hunger” in the post-war era.
• Das Buddhistische Haus celebrated its 100th anniversary (1924 – 2024) on a grand scale in both Sri Lanka and Germany. 
• In Sri Lanka, the celebrations were conducted at Temple Trees (Official Residence of the Prime Minister ) on August 03, 2024 with full State Patronage. Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Prime Minister was the Chief Guest and Dr. Felix Neumann, Ambassador of Germany was the Guest of Honour, both of whom spoke at the function which had a large gathering comprising over 620 persons including over 70 Buddhist monks, foreign envoys representing China(Ambassador  Qi Zhenhong), European Union ( Ambassador Ms. Carmen Moreno), New Zealand ( High Commissioner  David Pine), India ( Deputy High Commissioner Dr. 
•  Satyanjal Pandey), Vietnam (Deputy Ambassador Le Van Huong), and several other distinguished Guests including the Speaker of the Parliament Mr. Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. A large number of school children from across the country were also present. Ven. Olande Ananda Thero spoke of his visits to Das Buddhistische Haus in the 1980s and thereafter, and its influence and the support it gives to the maintenance of Buddhism in Germany.  Venerable Panadure Chandaratana Thero, the Deputy Abbot of the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya Monastery administered Pansil and delivered a short Anusasnava. General Sardha Abeyratne( President of the German Dharmaduta Society) delivered the vote of thanks. 
• In Germany the Celebrations were conducted at Das Buddhistisches Haus (Open Day for Visitors) spread over two days, August 3-4, 2024. An Exhibition about the history, founders and mission of DBH was held.  The festivities ended with an International Buddhist Conference held at Zehlendorf Community Hall, Berlin on August 04, 2024. The keynote speaker was Professor (Dr.) Martin Baumann, (Professor for the study of religions at the University of Lucerne, Switzerland).  He obtained his Ph.D. with a thesis on the history of Buddhism in Germany (1993). He concluded his keynote address by specifically naming Dr. Paul Dahlke as the Pioneer and Asoka Weeraratna as the Saviour of Das Buddhistische Haus. 
• A noteworthy feature of the celebrations was the issue of a Commemorative Postage Stamp in Sri Lanka and the release of a Book titled ‘ 100 years Das Buddhistische Haus’.  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. This volume was released in both Colombo and Berlin during the celebrations. The publication was financed by a Vietnamese born Philanthropic Buddhist Nun. 
• Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata is also known by her Vietnamese name,

Bhiksuni Dr. Bich Lien. A former beauty queen ordained in 2006, she is recognized for supporting the Berlin Vihara and several other meritorious projects in Sri Lanka.

• Dr. Winfrid Liebrich was also instrumental in releasing a Book in German to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of DBH. Its title ‘100 Jahre gelebter und gelehrter Buddhismus im Buddhistischen Haus Berlin-Frohnau’. Edited by Dr. Winfrid Liebrich, Senaka Weeraratna, Tissa Weeraratna

Tectum, 1. Edition 2024, 380 Pages. Book Review –    ‘Insights into the beginnings of Buddhism in Germany’ 

• https://www.sundaytimes.lk/251102/plus/insights-into-the-beginnings-of-buddhism-in-germany-618192.html

• Ven. Pelane Dhamma Kusala Thera based at Das Buddhistische Haus together with Mr. Tissa Weeraratna (Manager, DBH) played a pivotal role in organizing and co – ordinating the preparatory activities spread over a year. They were supported by the staff of the Embassy of Sri Lanka led by the Ambassador Ms. Varuni Mutukumarana, Members of the Sri Lanka Association of Berlin e.V. (Mr. Lankananda Perera), Mr. Tobias Siesmayer ( Präsident, Buddhistisches Haus Förderverein e.V.), and several other volunteers and patrons of Das Buddhistisches Haus.
• Over 40 leading Buddhist Monks drawn from Buddhist Temples across Europe and beyond attended the Conference, alongside prominent academics and dignitaries comprising the Ambassador Varuni Mutukumarana (Sri Lanka), Thai Ambassador Nadhavathna Krishnamra and his wife, and envoys from India, Pakistan, Cambodia, and several other Buddhist countries. Several monks delivered talks on the significance of the event and the leading role that Das Buddhistische Haus has played as the seat of Theravada Buddhism in Germany and other western countries, with growing emphasis in its aims on Mindfulness and Meditation. Mr. Lankananda Perera compered the whole proceedings. 

German Dharmaduta Society