Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Commemoration at Berlin Vihara

Das Buddhistische Haus founded in 1924 by Dr. Paul Dahlke and situated in suburb of Berlin - Frohnau, Germany and which is the oldest and largest Theravada Buddhist Temple in continental Europe, will be commemorating the 2600 Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi (2600th Anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment) through a series of religious programmes.

The German Dharmaduta Society (GDS), founded by Asoka Weeraratna (later known as Ven. Dhammanisanthi) in 1952, and which maintains Das Buddhistische Haus after the property was purchased by the GDS from the heirs of Dr. Dahlke in 1957 and then converted into a Buddhist Vihara (now known as the Berlin Vihara) will be organising these events at the Berlin Vihara.

The Chief Preceptor and Deputy Abbot of the Mitirigala Forest Hermitage, Ven. Udaeriyagama Dhammajiva Thera, will visit and reside at the Berlin Vihara from April 23 - May 5, at the invitation of the GDS. He will conduct a workshop and lead a meditation retreat on Buddhist meditation techniques at the Berlin Vihara. A number of people drawn from various nationalities including Germans and Sri Lankans living in Europe will participate in the meditation retreat.

The 2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi Commemoration Meeting will be held in conjunction with the Vesak Maha Pinkama over a period of two days at the Berlin Vihara on May 14 and May 15 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. A Vesak Dansala at the Vihara premises will cater to a large number of visitors and patrons expected to participate in the Pinkama on Sunday.

Several Buddhist monks including Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhitha Thera and Ven Kusalagnana Thera from Sri Lanka will take part in the programme covering the two days along with Buddhist devotees and well wishers from various nationalities.

A public meeting on the afternoon of May 15 Sunday will be held in the Library of Das Buddhistische Haus to commemorate and highlight the significance of the 2600th Anniversary of the Buddha's Enlightenment (2600th Sri Sambuddhatva Jayanthi). A number of speakers including Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Germany T.B. Maduwagedera, Trustee and Vice - President of the German Dharmaduta Society, Tissa Weeraratna, Representatives of German Buddhist Associations, among others, are expected to address this meeting.

In recent years Buddhism has become very popular in Germany. More and more people find their way to Buddhism. Some even become monk or nun, others practice as laymen. Although the number of Buddhist followers is still relatively small (estimated at around 250, 000), Bookstores in Germany are full with Buddhist literature and the interest in meditation practice is very high.