{"id":152976,"date":"2025-11-12T17:08:33","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T00:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=152976"},"modified":"2025-11-12T17:08:33","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T00:08:33","slug":"sinhala-buddhists-have-made-a-significant-contribution-to-the-global-propagation-of-buddhism-primarily-by-safeguarding-documenting-and-disseminating-the-theravada-tradition-and-the-pali-canon-and","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/11\/12\/sinhala-buddhists-have-made-a-significant-contribution-to-the-global-propagation-of-buddhism-primarily-by-safeguarding-documenting-and-disseminating-the-theravada-tradition-and-the-pali-canon-and\/","title":{"rendered":"Sinhala Buddhists have made a significant contribution to the global propagation of Buddhism, primarily by safeguarding, documenting, and disseminating the Therav\u0101da tradition and the P\u0101li Canon, and through modern missionary work in the West.\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em><strong>German Dharmaduta Society (AI assisted)<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<p><strong>Preservation and Dissemination of Therav\u0101da Buddhism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Preservation of the P\u0101li Canon: The Therav\u0101da P\u0101li 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Scholarly Center and Commentaries: Sri Lanka, particularly the ancient Mah\u0101vih\u0101ra monastery, became a renowned center for Buddhist scholarship. South Indian scholars associated with the Mah\u0101vih\u0101ra, such as Buddhaghosa (4th\u20135th century CE), translated the existing Sinhala commentaries (like the Maha-atthakatha) into P\u0101li. This established P\u0101li as the lingua franca for Therav\u0101da scholarship, allowing easier transmission of the tradition to other parts of Asia.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Propagation in Southeast Asia: The Mah\u0101vih\u0101ra Therav\u0101da school, with its emphasis on strict adherence to the <em>Vinaya<\/em> (monastic discipline), gradually spread throughout mainland Southeast Asia. Sinhala monks played a major role in establishing Therav\u0101da 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 <em>Sangha<\/em> (monastic community) before returning to establish the tradition in their home countries.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>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 <em>Sangha<\/em> helped restore the ordination lineage. For example, Thai monks helped revive the <em>bhikkhu<\/em> community in Sri Lanka in the 18th century, a reciprocal act for the earlier transmission (establishing the Lankavamsa in Thailand by the Sinhala monks)\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Modern Global Propagation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>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 Therav\u0101da Buddhism at the World&#8217;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.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Propagation in the West<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Pioneering Western Missions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>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&nbsp;in Berlin &#8211; Frohnau, Germany into a Buddhist Vihara (the first Buddhist Vihara in continental Europe) in 1957.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>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 &#8211; born monk Ven. Nyanaponika has been instrumental in publishing English-language books and translations of the P\u0101li 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 &#8216;100 years Das Buddhistiche Haus&#8217; 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 &#8211; Editors. The American Vietnamese Bhikshuni Dr. Bich Lien\u00a0also known as Ven Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata generously sponsored the publication.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"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\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>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\/<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/240804\/news\/berlin-buddhist-vihara-centenary-celebration-held-at-temple-trees-566176.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.sundaytimes.lk\/240804\/news\/berlin-buddhist-vihara-centenary-celebration-held-at-temple-trees-566176.html<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/HTRX755kqEGTQvOBr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/share.google\/aimode\/HTRX755kqEGTQvOBr<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/buddhismus-aktuell.de\/rezension\/100-jahre-gelebter-und-gelehrter-buddhismus-im-buddhistischen-haus-berlin-frohnau\/\">https:\/\/buddhismus-aktuell.de\/rezension\/100-jahre-gelebter-und-gelehrter-buddhismus-im-buddhistischen-haus-berlin-frohnau\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>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 \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The 100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of Das Buddhistische Haus (1924 \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>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.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Over 40 Buddhist monks from all over the world were in attendance including several Ambassadors from South Asian and Southeast Asian countries. Sri Lanka\u2019s 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\u2019s support for the cause of Buddhism and its propagation overseas.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>One of the key features on both occasions was the launch of the Book \u2018100 years Das Buddhistische Haus\u2019 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.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Chief Guest Hon. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena delivering the keynote speech.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Picture shows Dr. Felix Neumann, German Ambassador, receiving the First Day Cover<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>from the Director of the Philatelic Bureau.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Left to Right: Major \u2013 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Scholarship and Translations: Sri Lanka has been an important center for Buddhist scholarship in Western languages. Western monks like the German Nyanatiloka Mah\u0101thera studied and ordained in Sri Lanka. Along with their students, such as N\u0101namoli Bhikkhu and Ven. Ny\u0101naponika, they produced numerous important translations of the P\u0101li Canon and commentaries into English and German, making the scriptures accessible to a global audience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>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.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Through these efforts, Sinhala Buddhists have ensured the continuity and global reach of the Therav\u0101da tradition, influencing Buddhist practice and scholarship worldwide.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Group Photograph taken at Das Buddhistische Haus on August 03, 2024, on the commemoration of the<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of DBH (1924 \u2013 2024)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A Photograph taken at Das Buddhistische Haus on August 03, 2024, on the commemoration of the<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>100<sup>th<\/sup> anniversary of DBH (1924 \u2013 2024)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Photo: 3rd from the left<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>American Vietnamese Bhikshuni Dr. Bich Lien also known as Ven Bhikkhuni Elizabeth Sujata who sponsored the publication \u2018100 years Das Buddhistische Haus\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Photo taken at the entrance to the Das Buddhistische Haus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>&nbsp;Ms. Varuni Muttukumarana ( Sri Lanka\u2019s Ambassador to Germany) clad in white sari is seen in the middle of the front row of the photo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>German Dharmaduta Society (AI assisted) Preservation and Dissemination of Therav\u0101da Buddhism Preservation of the P\u0101li Canon: The Therav\u0101da P\u0101li 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[165],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-152976","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-senaka-weeraratna"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152976","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=152976"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152976\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152977,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152976\/revisions\/152977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=152976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=152976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=152976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}