On the evening of April 9, 2025, nearly one hundred participants from both Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions came together at the West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre in Mississauga to commemorate International Buddhist Day. Hosted by Bhante Saranapala, the Canadian representative of the World Buddhist Summit Organization, the event welcomed monastics, lay devotees, and government representatives for an evening of solemn rituals and interfaith unity.

The ceremony featured traditional offerings of flowers, candle lighting, chanting, meditation, and prayerservices, symbolizing peace, gratitude, and reverence for the Buddha. Participants embraced the spirit of harmony and compassion, transcending cultural and linguistic differences to honor the birth of the Buddha.

Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, representing the Mahāyāna tradition, joined the gathering with a delegation led by Venerable Zhi Guan, Superintendent of the temple. Accompanied by Ven. Yong Kang, Ven. Ru Xin, Ven. Ru An, and Localization Team Leader Mr. Wilson Yau, the delegation expressed solidarity and support for inter-traditional collaboration.

In her address, Venerable Zhi Guan shared the vision of Humanistic Buddhism as taught by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the Founding Master of Fo Guang Shan. She emphasized the importance of engaging Buddhism with contemporary society through education, culture, and charitable work. “No one exists in isolation,” she said, “and only through mutual support and a deep understanding of interdependence can we realize the true essence of the Dharma.” She urged all Buddhist communities to work together in preserving faith traditions, supporting education, and providing relief during crises.

Bhante Saranapala thanked attendees for their participation and support. He called on the community to extend prayers and aid to those affected by the recent earth quake in Myanmar and commended the Canadian government for fostering a multicultural environment where Buddhist values can thrive.

This joint celebration not onlymarked International Buddhist Day but also served as a powerful expression of cooperation and shared spiritual commitment. It reflected the growing unity of the Buddhist community in the Greater Toronto Area and its ongoing efforts to spread the Buddha’s message of peace and compassion.

International Buddhist Day, officially recognized by the United Nations in 1999, honors the universal teachings of the Buddha and the collective aspirations of Buddhists worldwide. Founded in 1998, the World Buddhist Summit Organization continues to promote global Buddhist unity, environmental sustainability, and humanitarian initiatives grounded in Dharma principles.