Articles about EC | Články o Evropském centru
In search of enlightenment
16. Října 2011
Evangelisches Sonntagsblatt, 16 August 2009
Title
3000 Buddhists Meditate in the Allgäu – Why are Germans fascinated by Buddha?
German original
For some years Buddhism develops a strong attraction in Germany. Around 3000 Buddhists from 57 countries are presently meditating in the Allgäu at the International Summer Course of the Buddhistischen Dachverbands (an umbrella organization) »Diamond Way« (BDD). In doing so a power field of »Love and Compassion« shall form.
Around 100 000 German citizens practice the buddhist faith, in addition to another 100 000 Asian immigrants. Whilst in Far East countries the christian faith gains attractiveness, the openness for buddhism and Far Eastern cults growth in Germany.
Volker Panten, a 41 year old engineer, is a buddhist for 8 years. Before that he practised yoga and became more and more familiar with Buddhism then. »For me it is the way to freedom«, he says. In his daily life he tries to meditate about 30 minutes a day and to practice compassion with his fellow human beings.
Picture text: »Power field of love and compassion«: What fascinates about Buddhism? Participants of the buddhist summer camp in the Allgäu. Photo: pa
3000 Buddhists Meditate in the Allgäu – Why are Germans fascinated by Buddha?
By Sebastian Müller
German original
For some years Buddhism develops a strong attraction in Germany. Around 3000 Buddhists from 57 countries are presently meditating in the Allgäu at the International Summer Course of the Buddhistischen Dachverbands (an umbrella organization) »Diamond Way« (BDD). In doing so a power field of »Love and Compassion« shall form.
The sun stands high above the Alpsee in the Allgäu region, while the red-blue Tibetan flag loosely flutters at the pole. The camping site here on the 50 hectare sized grounds of the Hochreute mansion, located 850 meters above sea level, looks almost deserted. A few meters ahead, in the huge meditation tent, it becomes clear why: The buddhist teacher Lama Ole Nydahl has already begun with his lecture about “conscious dying”; the meditation tent is well filled. You have to take your shoes off at the entrance and can then sit down on the floor.
Most listeners have made themselves comfortable on blankets, mats or fabric stools. Many sit concentrated, some have their eyes closed. A woman cradles her baby in her arms. Two boys work in their coloring book with felt tip pens. The aim of this summer course is to leave all suffering behind and reach a state of happiness which cannot disappear again and to prepare themselves for dying. You can learn this, as the participants believe, in intensive meditation courses. On top of this, you can accompany other people better while dying, according to these teachings.
About 3000 buddhist from 57 countries want to meditate and deepen the buddhist teachings at the 17th International Summer Course of the “Buddhistischer Dachverband Diamantweg” (BDD; Diamond Way Buddhist Umbrella Organisation) in the Allgäu region. 72 hours is the scheduled duration for the “Chenrezing”-Meditation (“Loving Eyes”). Besides the 3000 participants in Immenstadt also buddhists from many of the 550 Diamond Way centers and groups around the world will join the meditation. As a result, a power field of “love and compassion” is to manifest. The camp ends this Sunday August 16th.
Most participants follow the buddhist „Karma Kagyu Lineage“. It is one of the three oldest Tibetan buddhist schools. Its roots go back to Buddha (560-480 v. Chr.), after that the lineage was transmitted by meditation masters in India. Today the Karma Kagyu Lineage is the most widespread school in Europe, which mainly focuses on finding enlightenment and recognizing mind as “clear light”. The 17th Karmapa Thaye Dorje (26) had visited the summer camp and guided a meditation. The exiled Tibetan living in northern India is the highest spiritual dignitary of the Tibean Karma Kagyu Tradition, somewhat comparable to the Pope for catholic believers. On the site of the Hochreute mansion above the lake “Grosser Alpsee” at Immenstadt in the Allgäu region, the Europe Center, owned by the “Buddhismus Stiftung Diamantweg” (Buddhist Diamond Way Foundation), is permanently located since May 2007.
Picture text: The large meditation tent hosts up to 3000 believers. Photos: Müller
German original
According to the BDD, there are about 800 million buddhists worldwide. In Germany there are about 100.000 citizens practising this religion, with another 100.000 immigrants from Asia on top. The numbers are estimations, however; a buddist public body does not exist in Germany.
Picture text: The Dane Lama Ole Nydahl
After Lama Ole Nydahl’s lecture a joung woman in one of the front rows stays seated and meditates. Hania Lubek has traveled all the way from Warsaw in order to participate in the camp. In her hand, the thirty-three-year-old holds prayer beads (“Mala”). In everyday life she tries to meditate, avoid hatred and mentally send “good wishes” to friends. “In Warsaw, we organize a weekly meditation with more than 100 people joining every time”, the girl from Poland says. “For me, Buddhism is the right way because I want to open my mind. I often observe my thoughts, even in unpleasant situations, try to become conscious of it and work to develop compassion for my fellow people.”
Moreover, there is no hierarchy at the buddhist center in Warsaw, which is very appealing to young Poles after the overcoming of Socialism, she says. Hania Lubek meditates almost every day even in everyday life. She works as a buddhist therapist and gives – among other treatments “Jivaka”-massage, the massage of the personal doctor of the Buddha.
While the teachings about „conscious dying“ continue in the meditation tent, a blonde woman takes a sun bath in front of her tent. Her son meanwhile looks for grass hoppers in companion with another child. »I already know the phowa and I know it works, besides I have to watch the little one – he comes first of course.«
Search for religious home
Stefanie Hövel (45) from Frankfurt discovered Buddhism around 20 years ago. »At the age of 14 I already desperately looked for a religious home«, she says. She eventually found it via a friend with whom she opened a buddhist center in Frankfurt. »I meditate at least half an hour each day, sometimes even up to 1 1/2 hours«, says the jazz pianist and singer. Her son Nils (4) joins her at the summer camp. »At the moment Nils growth up with the information, he is actually born into Buddhism but he shall decide for himself later.«
Some meters away Volker Panten (41) from Darmstadt looks for a place for his tent. He is heavily packed with rucksack, sleeping pad and tent »These are no holidays«, he says and laughs. He finds a »coherent concept« in Buddhism. Before he practised yoga and became more and more familiar with Buddhism then. »For 8 years this is my way to freedom«, says the engineer. In his daily life he tries to meditate about 30 minutes a day and to practice compassion with his fellow human beings.
The other participants have been standing in line next to the huge kitchen tent for quite a while already. Salad, sliced pork and rice are filled onto camping plates, samba rhythms boom from the canteen kitchen. Up to 3000 people are provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. All helpers work on a voluntary basis.
An easy, peaceful mood emanates from the huge white dining tent. Those who would expect screwy gurus in red garments would be disappointed – everybody is dressed lightly for summer; unsuspecting hikers would only notice at a second look that Buddhist camp here. Families with little children, many young people between 25 and 40 eat lunch together and enjoy the breathtaking view over the Alpsee, feeling the sun which stands even higher by now.
Picture text: A golden Buddha of »limitless light«
Picture text: Volker Panten (41) is a buddhist for eight years.
Comment (box)
IT IS STRANGE: In Far East countries the Christian faith is felt to be attractive, especially young people who lost their bond to the local traditional religions, or never had these roots, are interested in Jesus.
WHILST IN GERMANY more people lose interest in Christian tradition but are open for Buddhism and Far East cults. The Dalai Lama stands in a row with Gandhi and Mother Theresa. No matter who becomes bishop or chairman of church council, he will never reach this status.
BUDDHISM IS viewed positively on the surface, Christianity serves as a negative foil: Here the man of sorrows at the cross, there the mildly smiling Buddha. Here everything is questioned – from Jesu being the son of god to the resurrection, there a human being is worshipped as god and archaic myths are uncritically accepted.
A DISCOURSE with Buddhism is necessary. It is equally necessary to remember what the Christian faith means.
Helmut Frank
Publikováno 16. Října 2011.
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