Berlin Buddhist Vihara celebrates Vesak
View(s):The Berlin Buddhist Vihara celebrated Vesak with a series of traditional observances. Guests of honour included the Sri Lanka Ambassador to Germany –Karunatilaka Amunugama, the Secretary of the German Dharmaduta Society –Senaka Weeraratna, and the Chairman of the Berlin Buddhist Vihara Friends’ Association (Förderverein Buddhistisches Haus) –Tobias Siesmayer.
Senaka Weeraratna speaking of Walther Schmits
As a tribute to Walther Schmits (1884-1957), a generous sponsor of the Berlin Buddhist Vihara (Das Buddhistische Haus), a framed picture of him was unveiled by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka and the Secretary of the German Dharmaduta Society (GDS ). One of his relatives Thomas Kemmann presented to the GDS on behalf of the Frowein family of Wuppertal, a collection of poems ‘ An meine Freunde’ ( To My Friends) written by Mr. Schmits.
Addressing the gathering, the Ambassador said, “Through Buddhism you learn to live in peace and harmony. The Buddha wants his devotees to spread Buddhism.”
Senaka Weeraratna, Secretary of the German Dharmaduta Society, delivered a brief talk on the ‘ Legacy of Walther Schmits’.
Tobias Siesmayer thanked the members and friends of the Berlin Buddhist Vihara Friends’ Association (Förderverein Buddhistisches Haus) for their support. He expressed his gratitude particularly to Prof. Monika Grütters, Member of the German Parliament and Minister of State for Culture and Media, Dr. Thomas Schmidt of the Berlin Monument Authority as well as District Mayor Frank Balzer and City Construction Council Martin Lambert (both with the German Christian Democratic Party).
Tissa Weeraratna, caretaker of the Berlin Vihara, gave an outline of the current programmes being carried out at the Temple and the future plans.
Three Buddhist monks namely Ven. Dikwelle Seelasumana Thero, Ven. Kongaspitiye Santharakkhitha Thero and the German monk Ven. Pasanno Thero were present.
Over 250 people including Sri Lankans, Germans, Thais and Cambodians attended the Vesak day celebrations at the Berlin Vihara. The lunch at the Dansala located in the large garden of the Temple was provided by the Sinhala Society of Berlin.