German Dharmaduta Society

Asoka Weeraratna - Founder of the German Dharmaduta Society

The German Dharmaduta Society was founded by Asoka Weeraratna, on 21 September 1952.

History

The idea of forming a Society to propagate Buddhism in Germany and other western countries dawned on Asoka Weeraratna, then a young businessman dealing in jewellery and Swiss wristwatches, while he was on his first business visit to Germany in 1951. Asoka Weeraratna became aware of the growing hunger in Germany, which was slowly recovering from total devastation in the Second World War, for an alternative moral and spiritual philosophy, that placed a very high emphasis on peace and non-violence. On his return from West Germany and convinced of the potential for growth of Buddhism in that country, Weeraratna established the Lanka Dhammaduta Society on the 21st of September, 1952, which was later renamed the German Dharmaduta Society. Ven. Ñânatiloka Mahâthera, the well known German Scholar monk was the first Patron of the Society.

In 1953, Asoka Weeraratna, who was by this time the Honorary Secretary of the Society, in his second visit to Germany, made a survey of Buddhist activities in that country and published his investigations in a Report entitled 'Buddhism in Germany'. The Society in 1954 launched a Million Rupee Fund under the patronage of Mr. Dudley Senanayake, the former Prime Minister, to collect funds for the permanent establishment of the Buddha Sâsana in Germany, as Arahant Mahinda had done it in Sri Lanka.

With growing public support, the Society soon won the recognition and encouragement of the State and the 'Million Rupee Fund' was declared an Approved Charity by the Government. Among the many benefactors who contributed to this Fund, particular mention must be made of Mr. Walther Schmits, a German Buddhist, who left a valuable legacy of DM 550.000 to the Society. In 1955 the Government granted to the Society an acre of vacant crown land in Bullers Road, Colombo on a 99 year old lease. In August 1956, Hon. S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike, Prime Minister, declared open at a ceremonial public meeting, amidst a large gathering, the newly built Headquarters and Training Centre of the Society at 417, Bullers Road (Bauddhaloka Mawatha), Colombo 7 consisting of a two-storied dormitory of 14 rooms, an Assembly Hall, Office and Library, built at a cost of Rs. 125.000.

Eight prominent Buddhist monks led by the German monk Ven. Ñânatiloka Mahâthera and including Ven. Balangoda Ânanda Maitreyya, Ven. Galle Anuruddha, Ven. Akuretiye Amaravamsa, Ven. Ñânaponika (German), Ven. Kudawella Vangîsa and Ven. Vappo (German) were attached to the Centre. These monks offered their services to train German Buddhists and others in the study of Buddhist Philosophy. Mr. Friedrich Möller, a teacher from Hamburg, who was the first German recruit of the Society arrived in the Island in 1953. He completed his period of training and received ordination under the name of Bhikkhu Ñânavimala.

The Society sponsored the first Buddhist Mission to Germany, which left the Colombo Harbour by ship 'SS Orantes ' on June 15, 1957. The three monks in this historic mission comprised Ven. Soma, Ven. Kheminda and Ven. Vinîta. They were all recruited from the Vajiraramaya Temple, Bambalapitiya. A few weeks later Mr. Asoka Weeraratna left Colombo by airplane and joined this Mission in Germany. He spent about five months in Germany assisting the Monks to settle in at Das Buddhistische Haus in Berlin, and promoting the work of the Mission.

One of the most significant achievements of the Society was the purchase in 1957 of Das Buddhistische Haus built by Dr. Paul Dahlke. This Buddhist Haus was considered the Center of German Buddhism during Dr. Dahlke's time. Mr. Asoka Weeraratna was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of this property from the heirs of Dr. Paul Dahlke. It was converted into a Buddhist Vihâra, by the Society by providing residential facilities to Buddhist Dharmaduta monks drawn mainly from Sri Lanka.^[1]

Since 1957 there has been a stream of Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka and other countries, taking up residence in the Berlin Buddhist Vihâra. Of these dedicated monks, special mention must be made of Ven. Athurugiriye Ñânavimala Mahâthera who served as the Vihâradhipati of the Berlin Vihâra for a period of 15 years (1966-1981). These monks teach the Buddha Dharma and give instruction on meditation to Germans and people of other nationalities seeking a philosophy that places an emphasis on self-reliance, non violence and loving kindness to all living beings.

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi who visited the Berlin Vihâra in May 2002 and was impressed with the self-sacrificing work of the resident monks and lay volunteers has said in a Message of Goodwill to the GDS on the occasion of the commemoration of its 50th anniversary (1952-2002) that:

References

2. The spread of Buddhism in Germany

3. Das Buddhistische Haus - Official Website

4. Promoting Buddhism in Europe by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi

5.The founding father of the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya: Life sketch of Asoka Weeraratna

6. Asoka Weeraratna website

7. Asoka Weeraratna - Germany’s "Mahinda Thera" Daily News (Sri Lankan national newspaper) article, 2012-11-16 edition

8. Speech by Agganyani, Secretary General of the German Buddhist Union, on the 50-year anniversary of the German Dharmaduta Society Daily News article, 2002-09-12 edition

9. Keown, Damien. Buddhist Studies from India to America: Essays in Honor of Charles S. Prebish. p. 163. ISBN 9-78-0-415-37124-7. 

10. Issue of new Postage Stamp on September 21, 2002 to mark 50th Anniversary of the German Dharmaduta Society

11. Asoka Weeraratna lit up the flame of Buddhism in Germany Article on Lankaweb.com, 2012-10-16

12. Spread of Buddhism in Germany Daily News Article,2010-11-15 edition

13. Damien Keown, ed. (2006). Buddhist Studies from India to America. Routledge, New York. pp. 163–164.