History

Copenhagen Buddhist Vihara is Buddhist temple of Theravada Buddhist tradition. It was established in 2002 July by the Sri Lankan-Danish Buddhist Religious and Cultural Association. Its origin lays in the great effort and initiative of Venerable Bhante Dhammaratana Nayaka Thera, who is the chief Sangha Nayaka of Scandinavia. He was ordained as a monk at the age 13, and came to Sweden in 1989. In 1995, he started serving as the Chief Incumbent of the Vihara in Sweden, a position he continues to hold today. He is extremely erudite, and holds the following, BA Honours degree in Buddhism from the University of Kelaniya and an MA degree from the University of Jayawardenapura in Sri Lanka. In addition, he has educational diplomas for oriental language studies such as Pali, Sanskrit and Sinhalese. He also has a vast experience in administrative work as he has been serving as a Co-coordinating Officer for Pirivena and Religious Education in the central province of Sri Lanka. Pirivena is a special school for the education of Buddhist monks.

During his travels through the years to Denmark, Ven. Bhante Dhammaratana held discourses to followers, who were gathered at the homes of Sanath Gunawardene and I. D. Anura. It was during such an occasion that the followers gathered discussed the possibilities of having their own resident monk who could serve them on a daily basis in Denmark. This would give the Sri Lankan Buddhist followers of Theravada an opportunity to continue following their religion. Hence, the formation of the Association.

Asiri Wimaladasa offered his apartment in Brønby Strand for the first Vassa retreat in July 2002 The two Monks, who came for this Vassa visit was, Bhante Gnanapiya and Bhante Kirindigalle Gnanaratana Thero. The Association, with the help of Upali Wedage rented an apartment at Augustagade to continue Copenhagen Buddhist Vihara There. Temple continued there for 1 ½ years. We organized the first Kathina ceremony in November 2002. Monks from England, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden and Thailand came and participated in this special Buddhist ceremony. Bhante Kirindigalle Gnanaratana Thero was the first Monks to take up residence in Copenhagen Buddhist Vihara and he was the chief monk from 2002 til 2011 .

In February 2006, we moved to Gammelgårds Alle 17, 1, 11, and later to Gammelgårds Alle 29, 1, 16 in Vallensbæk Strand.