“A place of peace in an industrial area?” you ask yourself. Here, amid car repair shops and less appealing buildings stands Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0. It is a beacon for many Vietnamese people. This seemingly small pagoda holds immense significance.
Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 is located in Berlin-Lichtenberg. This is no ordinary place. It serves as a vital cultural and spiritual center. For almost 200 community members, it is a sanctuary.
Imagine Sundays here. The small house buzzes with activity. Prayers are offered. Afterward, a vegetarian meal is shared in the back kitchen. The very herbs and vegetables used come from the pagoda’s own little garden.
The story of Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 has some hurdles. Unlike Christian and Jewish communities in Germany, Buddhists do not have the same legal status. This means the pagoda is seen as a cultural center. Local authorities argue that it doesn’t belong in this commercial zone.
Back in 2006, Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 moved to the Pacific Center grounds. The community renovated the former gatekeeper’s house themselves. Since then, it has been a place for worship and important rituals. In 2010, a monk from Vietnam became its spiritual leader.
Initially, no one thought permits were needed. However, the building authorities say a change in zoning was required. They claim they only learned about the pagoda’s existence in 2016. When the community expanded in 2016, their application was denied. The authorities said the pagoda couldn’t be approved on commercial land.
Despite the setbacks, the community continued to build. In 2019, the local office announced it would prohibit its use. Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 was supposed to cease operations.
The community of Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 repeatedly appealed to the district office. They cited religious freedom laws. They even spoke of the souls of the deceased being condemned. These souls would wander in the afterlife if the pagoda had to move. The office extended deadlines for finding a new location.
In 2022, another cease of use order was issued. Pressure from news coverage and a community petition led to a change. In December 2022, the Lichtenberg Building Authority extended the permit until 2026.
Kevin H\u00f6nicke, a local councilor, believes Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 should stay. He calls the unequal treatment of religions “madness”. He feels it goes against the German constitution.
Van Ly Nguy\u1ec5n, a community member, embodies the spirit of Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0. He came to Germany as a contract worker. Now retired, he spends almost every Sunday at the pagoda. The Vietnamese community in Lichtenberg is large. Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 is a haven for newcomers.
The community has celebrated many New Year festivals. Once they prepared 500 portions of bánh ch\u01b0ng in the small kitchen. Bánh ch\u01b0ng are rice cakes filled with beans. They are traditionally eaten at the New Year.
Despite challenges, Van Ly Nguy\u1ec5n remains optimistic. He knows Tempel Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 is more than just a building. It’s a feeling in the heart of every member. “Ph\u1ed5 \u0110\u00e0 is here,” he says.