{"id":156987,"date":"2026-06-28T14:52:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T21:52:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=156987"},"modified":"2026-06-28T14:52:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T21:52:03","slug":"call-for-german-gratitude-towards-sri-lanka-for-saving-the-flame-of-the-dhamma-in-germany-at-several-critical-periods-of-german-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2026\/06\/28\/call-for-german-gratitude-towards-sri-lanka-for-saving-the-flame-of-the-dhamma-in-germany-at-several-critical-periods-of-german-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Call for German Gratitude towards Sri Lanka for saving the flame of the Dhamma in Germany at several critical periods of German History"},"content":{"rendered":"

Senaka Weeraratna<\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Sri Lankan Buddhist Societies, in particular Ceylon (Sri Lanka), saved the flame of the Buddha Dhamma in Germany from being blown out by the storm of historical events<\/strong>. This was the explicit conclusion of Dr. Hans Wolfgang Schumann<\/strong> (often referred to in documents as Dr. Wolfgang Schumann), a leading German scholar, author, and diplomat. Writing in the Maha Bodhi Journal<\/em> (Feb\u2013Mar 1971), Dr. Schumann highlighted the critical role played by Asoka Weeraratna<\/strong> and the German Dharmaduta Society (GDS)<\/strong> in rescuing German Buddhism from total collapse after World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"image.png\"
Dr. Hans Wolfgang Schumann<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ven. Nyanaponika Thero and Asoka Weeraratna at the Ratmalana Airport on February 20, 1953 before departing for Germany on a fact finding mission with the aim of establishing the Buddha Sasana in Germany<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Context of Post-WW2 Germany<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aftermath of World War II profoundly altered Germany’s intellectual, cultural, and spiritual landscape. The collapse of the Nazi regime prompted deep introspection, leading many Germans to question traditional institutions and explore alternative philosophies.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the devastation of World War II and the fall of the Nazi regime\u2014which had aggressively suppressed Buddhist activities\u2014German Buddhism was left fractured and without resources. When Sri Lankan (Sinhala Buddhist) philanthropist Asoka Weeraratna visited Germany in 1951, he witnessed a nation in a severe moral predicament and a civilization in crisis. He observed a deep “spiritual hunger” among war-weary Germans who were disillusioned with traditional Western religious-political systems and were searching for alternative philosophies based on peace and non-violence. [1<\/a>, 2<\/a>, 3<\/a>, 4<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rescue of Das Buddhistische Haus<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The pinnacle of the GDS’s intervention, as praised by Dr. Schumann, was the salvation of Das Buddhistische Haus<\/strong> (The Buddhist House) in Berlin-Frohnau. Founded originally in 1924 by Dr. Paul Dahlke, the landmark property had fallen into extreme disrepair during the war and faced imminent destruction. [1<\/a>, 2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Dr. Schumann’s writings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n