Source: The Buddhist Channel
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=3,4744,0,0,1,0
Colombo, Sri Lanka -- Buddhism is definitely making headway in Germany and the rest of Europe. Expressing this view were prominent German invitees to a very significant event marking the 50th anniversary (1957-2007) of the first Sri Lankan Buddhist Mission to Germany, at the Savsiripaya Auditorium in Colombo 7, Sri Lanka on August 22.
Sri Lanka honoured the mission - sponsored by the German Dharmadutha Society - with the issue of a commemorative postage stamp and a first day cover by the Government Philatelic Bureau.
The picture on the stamp depicts the Sri Lankan Buddhist Mission handing over the gift of the Dhamma in the form of a Sannasa to a delegation of Germans in front of the Das Buddhistische Haus (Berlin Vihara) in Berlin - Frohnau in 1957. Nihal Sangabo Dias designed the stamp. This is the second time that a Sri Lankan Postage Stamp depicting a scene in Germany has been issued here.
Guest of Honour, German Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Juergen Weerth thanked the Sri Lankan Authorities for honouring his country in this manner. Focusing on Buddhism's contribution to the creation of close and sustainable links between the two countries, he said the understanding the teachings of the Buddha had been growing in Germany and the rest of Europe for the past 50 years.