Buddhist center
In the European context or in the German-speaking area, a Buddhist center usually means a place for Buddhist meditation and studies. These emerged in particular with the upswing of Western Buddhism in the 1970s, although precursors such as The Buddhist House in Berlin were founded in the 1920s.
Despite the role model effect of Asian institutions and despite the use of expressions such as vihara , wat , temple , monastery, etc., Buddhist centers in Europe differ considerably from their models in Asia due to the completely different situation and the very different views and needs of European Buddhists . The mere fact that mostly lay people manage and run the centers and there are hardly any monks and nuns makes a significant difference.
Despite the sometimes fluid boundaries, three differently structured Buddhist centers can be defined, whereby the city centers in particular are often only rented and so sometimes the location changes. Another differentiation that is typical for Europe could be made with regard to the group of people affected: Centers that are almost exclusively run and frequented by Europeans (most of them), centers that are almost exclusively run by Asian migrants and their next generation and Centers where these two main streams of Buddhism in Europe practice together (rare).
City center
The city center is used for the gathering of Buddhists from the region, who come together here primarily for the purpose of common meditation and cultivation of the community. Often rituals, festivals (puja), lectures and study groups are also carried out. Sometimes these city centers are also dedicated to interfaith dialogue .
Center of tradition
Most often one comes across city centers that are committed to a certain Buddhist lineage and practice or pass on the practice there that was transmitted by teachers of this tradition. Originally these were mostly Asian personalities, but increasingly these are teachers of European origin. In large cities, attempts are made to make it easier for the seeker to distinguish and find them with additions such as ' Tibetan ', ' Diamond Way ', ' Zen ', ' Theravada ' etc. It is not uncommon for controversies to arise about the right to call oneself a "Buddhist center". The search term "Buddhist Center Hamburg" Googles around 334,000 results from various lines of tradition.
Some of these city centers also rent their premises to smaller Buddhist groups for occasional use, but this does not yet fall into the definition of community centers. Other city centers remain to themselves as a matter of principle, which leads them (partly rightly) to the charge of sectarianism. Some of these centers do not have links to groups of other traditions on their websites.
Community center
In real community centers, Buddhist communities of different traditions practice under one roof, either separately by days or sometimes together. Even if the spiritual direction and method of practice of the individual groups is different, the administration of the center is handled participatory and mostly democratically. There is an effort to communicate and to get to know the unknown traditions and their specific forms. These centers also accommodate Buddhist individuals, who often teach specialties here. Those interested in Buddhism who have not yet decided on a tradition can gain experience and orientate themselves here. Such centers also like to refer to the activities of other centers in the spirit of non-sectarianism and often have external links on their websites. There are mostly events of intra-Buddhist as well as interreligious dialogue. Initiatives for regional festivals and celebrations, such as the Vesakh festival, also go from here. Examples are: Buddhist Society Hamburg eV, Buddhist Association Hanover eV, Buddhist Community Salzburg u. a.
Retreat center
Retreat centers are mostly seminar houses or monastic institutions in the countryside, where Buddhist practice is possible over longer periods of time. Here, too, there is a distinction between centers that only offer offers from one line of tradition and those that have different Buddhist courses in their program, such as the Haus der Stille in Roseburg , which has been in existence for 50 years , the Pauenhof in Sonsbeck and the Buddhist Center Scheibbs in Eastern Austria .
training centre
Training centers are monastic institutions that serve the education and training of Buddhist teachers, monks and nuns. they are usually reserved for those who make a long-term commitment to a course in a certain tradition.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from September 5, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Buddhist Society Hamburg
- ↑ http://www.buddha-hannover.de/ Buddhistischer Bund Hannover
- ↑ http://www.buddhismus-salzburg.org Buddhist Community Salzburg
