VICTORIA, B.C.: The fourth BC Buddhist Culture Day celebration was held today at the BC Parliament Buildings, showcasing Buddhist values and Canada’s multicultural spirit. Hundreds of Buddhist community members and guests from across the province gathered at the Parliament Buildings to take part in a celebration rich in ceremony and cultural meaning.
This year’s event was held under the theme “Expressing Buddhist Values Through Art.” The program featured Buddhist calligraphy and painting exhibitions, guzheng music, singing, and dance performances, allowing participants to experience the depth of Buddhist culture and teachings in a vivid and accessible way.
MLA Teresa Wat, who spearheaded BC Buddhist Culture Day, said, “Buddhism is rooted in the values of compassion, equality, and inclusion, and continues to play an important role in shaping our communities. These values are not only spiritual ideals, but also important guiding principles for building a more harmonious and respectful society.”
The atmosphere at the event was both solemn and warm. The celebration featured calligraphy and painting exhibitions, as well as live art creation, with works by several renowned artists displayed as part of a fundraising initiative to support the construction of a Buddhist temple in Richmond. Guests also had the opportunity to watch artists create calligraphy and artwork on site, experiencing Buddhist culture and BC’s multicultural richness through traditional Eastern art forms.
“Today’s celebration fully demonstrates how art and culture can bring Buddhist values to life, and how these values can resonate beyond the Buddhist community and across wider society. On this special day, let us continue to practise compassion and unity in our daily lives, and work together to build a more peaceful and inclusive British Columbia,” Wat added.
BC Conservative Interim Leader Trevor Halford delivered remarks on behalf of the Official Opposition.
“BC Buddhist Culture Day provides a meaningful opportunity for us to recognize the long history, teachings, and contributions of Buddhist communities in our province and around the world, and to reflect on the values of understanding, respect, and harmony,” said Halford. “We should also reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting freedom of belief and making British Columbia a more inclusive home for all.”
BC Buddhist Culture Day was first initiated by Teresa Wat through a petition in November 2022 and was officially proclaimed by the provincial government in May 2023, designating the first Sunday of May each year as a provincewide celebration of Buddhist culture. It is also one of the first Buddhist cultural celebrations established by a provincial government in Canada.
Over the past four years, BC Buddhist Culture Day has gradually become an important platform for connecting different communities and promoting multicultural understanding. Wat has continued to organize and promote the celebration every year, reflecting her commitment to Buddhist culture and helping bring this tradition into the daily lives of more people.
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