Sunday Times 2
Berlin Vihara marks Vesak amdist large gathering
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The Berlin Buddhist Vihara founded by Asoka Weeraratna (1957), and housed in Das Buddhistische Haus built by Dr. Paul Dahlke in 1924, being the oldest Theravada Buddhist temple in Europe, observed Vesak on Sunday May 14, in the presence of a large gathering of Buddhists and well – wishers from Sri Lanka, Germany, Thailand, and several other Asian and European countries.
Two Buddhist monks, Ven. Bambalapitiye Medhankara Thera of Siri Vajiraramaya Temple in Bambapalapitiye, Colombo and Ven. Dhammamuninda Thera (an Italian monk trained at the Mitirigala Nissarana Vanaya) led the religious activities in the Vesak Day programme organised by Tissa Weeraratna, with the assistance of both Sinhala and German Buddhists.
Following the Dhamma talks by the two monks and address of welcome by the hosts, Pirith was chanted to invoke the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem on all those present and all living beings. Several dayakayas observed ‘sil’ on this occasion, a news release from the German Dharmaduta Society said.