The press conference for the upcoming 2025 Toronto Interfaith Blessing Ceremony and Buddha’s Light Food Fair was held on June 3 at the Fo Guang Shan Buddha’s Light Centre in Markham. Co-hosted by Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Toronto Chapter, the event welcomed representatives from over ten Canadian media outlets spanning television, print, radio, and digital platforms.

Venerable Chueh Fan, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, led the briefing alongside BLIA Toronto Chapter President Mabel Ho, Vice President Rachel Fan, and Secretary-General Katherine Lam. The June 22 event will center on the theme “Coexistence and Mutual Prosperity”—uniting faith and culture to promote peace and community harmony.

Venerable Chueh Fan noted that the Buddha’s Light Food Fair has served the community for more than two decades. This year, in partnership with the Pure Green Foundation, the fair will advocate for healthy vegetarianism and environmental sustainability, echoing the Fo Guang Shan principle of “Environmental and Spiritual Preservation” as taught by founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun.

“World peace is a shared mission of all faiths,” said Venerable Chueh Fan. “Peace begins in the heart; coexistence and mutual prosperity begin with us.” On June 22, interfaith representatives will join in ringing the Peace Bell, symbolizing collective blessings for harmony.

A new Mental Wellness Booth will debut this year, integrating faith-based support with professional mental health services. Registered psychotherapist Stephanie Hong announced upcoming collaborations with the City of Mississauga and the University of Toronto’s Emmanuel College to offer services to hospital patients, caregivers, and students —encouraging holistic well-being.

President Mabel Ho introduced the fair’s culinary highlights —137 handcrafted vegetarian dishes, including favorites like mango pomelo sago and crispy mock anchovies. Featuring recipes from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam, the event promises a global “Vegetarian Festival” of flavors.

The VegRun campaign—“You run, I donate”—will continue supporting the “Vege Plan A” initiative, now in its fifth year and aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. BLIA’s outreach includes global education projects such as “Under the Big Tree” in India and “Sons of ZuLai” in Brazil.

The event will also feature lion dance performances, a Three Acts of Goodness little monks photo zone, children’s games, and police-community education activities. Venerable Chueh Fan concluded by gifting media guests Between Ignorance and Enlightenment, a collection of writings by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, encouraging wisdom and awareness in daily life.