The OBV was founded in 2003 by the Venerable K. Dhammasami, who has lived as an ordained Buddhist monk for the last 30 years. Since 2003 the Vihara has developed into a thriving community of monks and lay Buddhists from many different countries and cultures, with an emphasis on the traditions of SE Asia. The community includes groups of Burmese, Thai, Lao and Sri Lankan origin as well as Buddhists with a European background.