Compassion, Mindfulness and Peace: A Visit to the Vancouver Buddhist Festival

 

I had the privilege of travelling to Vancouver with four other peers to attend the BC Buddhist Festival. Upon arrival, I was immediately drawn to the captivating performances brought by the many different performers from different cultural origins. Each and every one of their performances portrayed rich cultural stories through combinations of harmonic voices and expressive movements. One that I remember vividly was a Tibetan dance which symbolized the carefree dancing atop the high mountain peaks.

 

Immediately after, we spent some time wandering the buzzing cultural booths surrounding the event area, which individually displayed their unique artwork and handmade jewelry. During the exploration, one of my friends on the trip admired the accessories so much that he collected four different Vietnamese straw hats to bring back to the school. Alongside visiting the cultural booths, we also got to listen to the prayers that the monks and nuns offered during the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, a traditional ritual held during the Buddha’s birthday.

 

At the end, what stood out to me the most was that despite the vast differences each cultural group had, they all gathered because of their shared belief in Buddhism – just like the festival’s motto, “One Buddha, Many Traditions.”

 

On the way back to school, we even had the opportunity to stop by Gastown in downtown Vancouver, where we walked around local shops waiting for the next steam clock whistle. It was incredibly rewarding to spend the day not only experiencing the vibrant cultural diversity under the umbrella of Buddhism but also bonding with the other students on the trip. This visit would not have been possible without the efforts of Mrs. Bleackley and Ms. Yangchen, and I would like to extend my gratitude for their hard work in planning the trip.

 

The BC Buddhist Festival was a very good event for me especially because I got to reconnect with my culture and religion. It reminded me of the duties of a Buddhist. Aside from that, I got to experience different forms of Buddhism that are followed across the world and felt the sense of unity in diversity. 

 

On May 4, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the BC Buddhist Festival in Vancouver along with four other students and two staff members. We left early in the morning, and Ms. Yangchen kindly prepared breakfast for all of us herself. It was such a heartwarming way to start the day. As soon as we arrived and stepped into the event, I felt an immediate sense of belonging, like I was home. The environment was warm, welcoming, and filled with people who looked familiar, yet came from different backgrounds. I saw people speaking languages I understood, wearing traditional clothing I recognized, and eating the same kinds of food I grew up with. It was comforting to be surrounded by a shared culture that spans across borders. Even though I have been engaged in Buddhist culture before, this experience taught me something new: while Buddhist communities in different countries may have their own customs, languages, and appearances, Buddhism itself is a powerful force that brings people together. Despite our differences, we all share the same values of compassion, mindfulness, and peace.

 

This festival helped me appreciate how culture can unite us in ways that feel both deeply personal and universally human. It reminded me of who I am, where I come from, and how beautiful it is to see diversity within unity. 

 

I’ve studied Buddhist culture before, but when I saw the Buddhist rituals, I could feel the strong feelings that can’t be sensed through texts. I’m feeling more connected to the spirit of Buddhism; some things guide the world and save all beings. The great love from Buddha can also help me seek peace in my life. 

 

It was very fun. We listened to Buddhist masters from different Buddhist cultures praying in their own languages. We saw cultural performances and visited the many stalls filled with items from different countries such as singing bowls to hand-woven bamboo hats. Overall, it was a great experience, and I learned that Tibet isn’t the only culture that follows Buddhism. 

As the philosopher John Dewey stated, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself," and apart from visiting Buddhist temples in Japan, my understanding of Buddhist practices remained superficial. I resolved and I made a silent testament to myself, I would open my heart and my mind to learn as much as I could on this day, and I would lean on the students to help teach me.

 

We arrived, after a procession of Buddhist monks and nuns, to a courtyard alive with colour. Buddhist flags fluttered amongst banners, and the traditional dress worn by all the people representing their culture was appealing to all the senses. Our students wore their traditional Tibetan chupa with unmistakable pride and explained to me the significance of the clothes they wore, as they were originally designed for the Tibetan lifestyle and changing weather in the mountains. Dorje specifically shared with me the meaning of the Dharmachakra (the Buddhist symbol) representing the teachings of the Buddha, with each “spoke” of the wheel signifying one of the Eightfold Paths to enlightenment. 

 

With more questions percolating, I marvelled at the tranquillity I felt while the Buddhist monks and nuns gathered to sing and chant in many languages. Even though the language was lost to me, the message was clear: “Bringing peace and fulfillment, leading to happier lives and to be free of suffering.” This was translated by Pema, but I thought to myself, isn't this what we all want?

 

While we watched various cultural performances, I was able to ask more questions and learn that Buddhism, in its way of life, is practiced by many people and in many different countries; mostly in Tibet, Cambodia, Japan, Myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Laos and Mongolia. What was incredible was that there were many of these countries represented at the festival, and I could sense that everyone was very proud to be there, and to be together.

 

I felt proud to be there, with our Tibetan students, Chinese students and with Pema who has close connections with the Buddhist master in Vancouver. I felt honoured to meet him, as it solidified my understanding of the lifelong commitment to the Buddhist practice and way of life. I understood something essential about dedication (or one could say learning): true mastery comes not from occasional practice but from daily devotion.

 

To reiterate what John Dewey stated, education happens in every human experience, and I was grateful for this experience.