Das Buddhistische Haus

It is considered to be the oldest and largest Theravada Buddhist center in Europe and has been declared a National Heritage site.

[1] The main building was designed by the architect Max Meyer for Paul Dahlke, a German physician who had undertaken a number of trips to Ceylon prior to World War I and became a Buddhist.

The place deteriorated and was even considered for demolition, when Asoka Weeraratna, founder of the German Dharmaduta Society based in Sri Lanka, became aware of its existence.

In December 1957 he bought the building from Dahlke’s nephew on behalf of the Trustees of the German Dharmaduta Society (GDS).

Missionary Buddhist (Dharmaduta) monks, primarily from Sri Lanka, came to stay at the Haus that became the center for spreading the teachings of the Buddha in Western Europe.

After the Elephant Gate 73 steps lead to the temple. Vesak festival flags can also be seen.
The garden and view of one of the buildings of the temple which is inspired by traditional Sri Lankan architecture