Subjects: MAV, REL, FVT

Media Advisory - 7th Annual Vesak: Buddha's Birthday Celebration

The Largest Canadian Buddhist Festival

MISSISSAUGA, ON, May 25, 2018 /CNW/ -

DATE: Sunday May 27^th, 2018
TIME: 2pm-7pm
Where: Mississauga Celebration Square
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, ON
L5B 3C1

The 7^th Annual Vesak Celebration commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha, 2562 years ago. A free public celebration will be held at Mississauga Celebration Square on Sunday May 27^th, 2018 from 2pm to 6.30pm. The program will commence with a parade around City Hall at 2pm followed by the opening ceremony at 3pm.

This great event is for families and those who appreciate the multicultural diversity of Mississauga and the GTA. It has been organized by four prominent Buddhist temples; Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple, West End Buddhist Temple & Meditation Centre in Mississauga, Ching Kwok Buddhist Temple in Toronto, and the Buddhist Association of Canada Cham Shan Temple in Thornhill.  Last year this celebration included representatives from all levels of government, political dignitaries, and members of the public service, and was attended by over 7000 people. This year we are anticipating over 10,000 and delighted to announce that Her Worship Bonnie Crombie, the mayor of the City of Mississauga, will be attending Buddhist Festival 2018.

The Buddhist clergy from different countries and many devotees will be in their cultural dress. This event will feature: Sangha chants from the three major traditions of Buddhism, songs, dances, martial arts display from the Shaolin Temple, and food tasting from the cuisine of South East Asia. There will be a "Buddhism 101" booth, which will be staffed by English-speaking volunteers for those who may be seeking more information on the philosophy and practice of Buddhism. Attendees will hear chants in Sri Lankan, Chinese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Burmese, Thai, Japanese, Laotian, Hindi, Bengali, Pali, and Sanskrit. All this in one event! 

The public is welcome to meet with monks, nuns, devotees, while the media is invited to arrive at 1pm for an open forum interview with Reverend Dr. Bhante Saranapala, Urban Buddhist Monk/Chair and the organizing committee.

For more information visit: www.vesakcelebration.com; or follow twitter @ vesakcelebration or #vesakcelebrationcanada; and facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/vesakcelebration.

Last year: https://youtu.be/KIReeYzkP5w

On behalf of ...

 

SOURCE Vesak

News published on 25 may 2018 at 17:34 and distributed by: