Last month I wrote about the Japanese community in Düsseldorf and explained how so many Japanese came to live in this German city in the first place. After describing the shopping area with its many restaurants, I ran out of room for more! So today, I'm going to take you on a little visit to the Eko House of Japanese Culture.
In fact, the Japanese cultural center was opened almost 15 years ago, in 1993. It's located in a suburb of Düsseldorf called Niederkassel, which has a significant Japanese population. The center was established so that the Japanese in the area could continue to cultivate their customs in Germany, and also so that Germans could get to know a bit about Japanese traditions.
There are many events taking place here all year round. These include the types of things one would expect from a Japanese Cultural Center such as exhibitions, theatrical events, tea ceremonies, and musical performances. And then there are courses teaching some of the Japanese arts such as brush painting, calligraphy, Ikebana, music, dancing and cooking.
But what one might not have expected is the emphasis on Buddhism at the center. Buddhist festivals are regularly celebrated and the public is invited to attend. There are also readings of Buddhist texts and Buddhist ceremonies. And every second Sunday anyone can attend a Buddhist service with recitations from Shinran.
Celebrating Buddhism at the Eko House of Japanese Culture does not appear to have caused any kind of hostilities among the neighbors. There is even a temple there, with a large statue of Buddha Amida in the main altar. This acceptance of Buddhism is in stark contrast to the public outcries that the building of an Islamic mosque in the neighboring city of Cologne has caused. The mosque has been so controversial that it's made the news around the world. But Germans seem to be very tolerant of Buddhism.
In fact, a recent study showed that Germans prefer the Dalai Lama to Pope Benedict, which is odd since Christianity is the major religion here. About 64 percent of the population are official members of Christian churches. Church and state are supposed to be separate in Germany, but the Finanzamt, which is equivalent to our Internal Revenue Service, actually automatically deducts around 9 percent from each church member's paycheck and gives it directly to the churches. But that's a story best left for another article.
The acceptance of Buddhism was underscored a few weeks ago, when our Chancellor, Angela Merkel, invited the Dalai Lama for a visit. Strictly private, as she kept emphasizing. But this "private" event has left the Chinese government angry and led to much dismay among German businessmen doing business with China. The visit prompted the Chinese to suddenly cancel an important meeting between German and Chinese industry representatives. And the ruffled feelings don't look to be soothed soon.
But all these political problems are quickly forgotten back in the temple's garden. It is impressively designed, with azaleas, cherry blossoms and a sparkling pond. Here is where the visitor really has a sensation of having been taken out of Germany and into Japan. The impression continues upon viewing the "guesthouse with tea room," which was built to invoke the feeling of old Japan. The small house is laid out with tatami mats, sliding screens and polished wood.
But the Eko House is more than just a place to learn about culture. Here, classes in Japanese language are also offered. There's also a well-stocked library and a scientific program. And to round it all off, there's even a kindergarten, for both German and Japanese children. For each class, there is a German and a Japanese teacher too.
One of the highlights of the cultural center is New Year's Eve, where bonfires burn all night and visitors can sample sake and eat Japanese delicacies. And when 12 o'clock midnight strikes, bells are rung over 100 times to mark the New Year. Visitors are also encouraged to take part in the bell ringing, which apparently stems from an age-old Buddhist tradition. It is said that each ring will eradicate a vice, so that one can meet the New Year in a pure state. Hmm, but is that possible after all that sake?
Perhaps I'll ring in the New Year at the Eko House in a few months, and then I can give you an update on this unique Japanese Cultural Center. In any case, if you're ever in Düsseldorf, you won't want to miss it!
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