Mississauga’s First Buddhist Stupa Inaugurated

On May 31, the West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, held a grand inauguration ceremony for its newly completed stupa, which enshrines sacred relics of the Buddha from Sri Lanka. Asthe first stupa of its kind in the city, the structure stands as a powerful symbol of Buddhist faith, heritage, and unity.

Venerable Bhante Saranapala, resident monastic of the temple, invited Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto to participate in the ceremony. Led by Abbess Venerable Chueh Fan, Venerables recited the Medicine Buddha Mantra in front of the stupa, dedicating the merits to over 70 monastics and more than 500 lay attendees from around the world. The chanting offered blessings for peace, wellbeing, and the flourishing of the Dharma.

Monastics from the United States, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya, and across Canada gathered in a rare assembly of Theravāda and Mahāyāna traditions. More than ten Buddhist leaders delivered remarks on the significance of the stupa and the temple’s role in spreading the teachings ofthe Buddha. Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish, federal MPs, and police representatives also attended and offered congratulatory messages.

Representing Mahāyāna Buddhism, Venerable Chueh Fan joined Theravāda monks in a lamp-lighting ceremony, symbolizing harmony and mutual respect between traditions. The ceremony emphasized a shared aspiration for the light of the Buddha’s wisdom to illuminate hearts and minds.

Venerable Walpola Piyananda, a senior Theravāda monk, recalled his long-standing connection with Fo Guang Shan, including his encounters with the late Venerable Master Hsing Yun and Venerable Tzu Chuang at Hsi Lai Temple in the U.S. He praised Fo Guang Shan’s global efforts in advancing Humanistic Buddhism.

The event concluded with more than 70 monastics offering flowers at the stupa—an expression of gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings. The stupa now stands as a beacon of compassion and enlightenment, inspiring all who encounter it to walk the path of wisdom and liberation.

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