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The Berlin Buddhist Vihara celebrated the Katina Puja on October 13 and 14, 2001.

The Berlin Vihara also known as 'Das Buddhistische Haus' was built in 1924 by Dr. Paul Dahlke, German Philosopher and a pioneer of Buddhism in Germany. The German Dharmaduta Society founded by Asoka Weeraratna, purchased the premises from the heirs of Dr. Dahlke in 1957. It is the oldest Theravada Buddhist Centre in Europe.

The ceremonies commenced on the afternoon of October 13, 2001 with a meeting to commemorate the services rendered to the cause of promoting Buddhism in Germany through the good offices of 'Das Buddhistisches Haus' by Dr Paul Dahlke, Ven. Mitirigala Dhammanisanthi Thera (formerly Asoka Weeraratna), Anagarika Dharmapriya Mahinda (formerly Nelson Soysa), Ven. Aturugiriye Gnanawimala Maha Thera and Dhharmasena Weeraratna, among others. Ven. Murungasyaye Gnanissara Thera, Viharadhipathi of the Jethavana Vihara in Paris and Chief Sanghanayake of France delivered the commemorative talk.

A special event was the Katina Puja Perahara, which went around the Vihara premises thrice in traditional manner. The Perahara included traditional cultural items which were something new to the German visitors to the Vihara.

The large gathering present at this event comprised mainly Germans, Thais and Sri Lankans. Among the distinguished invitees was the new Sri Lankan Ambassador in Germany, His Excellency Mr. C. Casichetty.

There was a representative presence of Theravada Buddhist monks from all over Europe. They included Ven. Raddoluwe Wimalashanthi Nayake Thero, Viharadhipathi of the Bonn Buddhist Vihara, Ven. Murungasyaye Gnanissara Thera, Viharadhipathi of the Jethavana Vihara of Paris, Ven. Vitharandeniye Kassapa Thero, Viharadhipathi of the Midland Buddhist Vihara of Birmingham, Ven. Dhammadipa Thero (a Czechoslovakian monk) Viharadhipathi of the Dharmapala Meditation Centre of Prague, Ven. Amandoluwe Dharmaratana Thero, Ven. Pannasara Thero of Austria and Ven. Phra Maha Anusak Thero of Thailand.

These ceremonies were organised by Mr. Tissa Weeraratna, Trustee and Manager of the Berlin Vihara.

The ceremonies were held under the patronage of Ven. Rathmale Punnaratana Thero, the resident monk at the Berlin Vihara.

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