Bathing Buddha Festival & BC Buddhist Cultural Day were success

On May 3, 2025, the “International Bathing Buddha Festival and BC Buddhist Culture Day” and the “3rd Love the Earth Multicultural Art and Expo Festival ” hosted by the Xing Wu Zen Temple of Canada were grandly held in Richmond. 

The Dharma Assembly was solemn and magnificent, with people from all walks of life participating in the celebration. 

The event attracted many community residents, social elites, Buddhist believers, and politicians from all levels to witness this solemn and auspicious event. Master Shi Xing Wu, the elders and masters of various sects, and the all groups of disciples together worshipped the Buddha, bathed the Buddha, prayed for blessings, and prayed for world peace, national prosperity, and happiness for all living beings.

   (All groups of disciples welcome the Masters)

  (Master Xing Wu presents auspicious blessing belts to all the Venerable masters)

  (Lay Buddhists offering donations to masters)

    （Masters accept media interviews)

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The event is themed “Harmonious Coexistence, Comprehensive Wisdom, and Love for the Earth”. Through various stall displays, Buddhist circumambulations and prayers, Buddha worship and bathing ceremonies, Buddhist forums, environmental protection concept displays, and multi-ethnic and multicultural performances, such public welfare community activities allow people of different ethnic groups to participate together and share the joy of Dharma, which not only promotes the wisdom of Buddhism, but also promotes community integration.

(Professional host lineup, from left to right: Michael Wu, Cao Sisi, Lisa Wu Jin, Dorsa Sinaki, Wu Tong)

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The Master and lay Buddhists accepted the Buddha statue presented by the Chairman of the event , Venerable Shi Xing Wu, and prepared for the circumambulation and blessing ceremony.

(Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie accepted the Buddha statue from Master Xing Wu and praying for blessings)

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Master Xing Wu and other masters circumambulated the Buddha and prayed for world peace, national prosperity, and harmony and happiness for all beings.

(City of Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Canadian Alliance of Chinese Association Chairman Yuanzheng Chu, Membership Direct of Xing Wu Zen Temple Society Jack Chen, FX168 Finance Group CEO Tai Jiang, Steve Cao, Aspects Financial, the Director of Xing Wu Zen Temple Society Daniel Lee)

          （ Steve Kooner MLA)

 (Supporting organizers and supporting organizations and performance teams）

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Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie and Master Xing Wu jointly announced the official opening of the event. The mayor expressed his affirmation and support for the charity event held by Xing Wu Zen Temple. In his speech, the mayor said: “I am very happy that such a grand event is held in the Richmond community. This event not only demonstrates the harmonious development of religious culture, but also promotes the harmonious coexistence of Richmond’s diverse communities, fully demonstrating the inclusiveness of Canada’s multiculturalism.”

 （The mayor presented a congratulatory letter）

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The Dharma Assembly began with the solemn offering ceremony performed by the Dharma masters, Dharma protectors and Dharma disciples which was auspicious and magnificent.

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The masters and lay Buddhists lit incense and worshipped Buddha, recited scriptures devoutly, bathed the Buddha and prayed for blessings. The scene was solemn and respectful.

( Venerable Zhaochu lit incense and presided over the ceremony)

The masters held willow branches and clean water, sprinkling them for blessings.

When the sound of chanting Buddhist scriptures resounds across Canadian soil, it is not only a religious ceremony but also a cultural bond.

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Another highlight of the event, the “3rd Love the Earth Multicultural Art and Expo Festival ” attracted participation from people of different ethnic groups. 

The event featured traditional cultural displays, vegetarian food stalls, displays by merchants from all walks of life, and environmental protection public welfare video promotions, which fully embodied the Buddhist philosophy of compassion, love, and protecting life. 

The integration of diverse cultures of various ethnic groups to build a harmonious and beautiful community is another profound meaning that this event wants to convey.

  (The great masters sprinkled water and prayed for the participating booths and believers)

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Member of Parliament Au Chak-kwong said in an interview: “Canada is a multicultural and multi-ethnic community. There are different cultural festivals on different dates, especially the Asian Cultural Festival in May. The Buddhist Cultural Festival held in Richmond today is also very necessary. 

I wish everyone who comes here today to have a very pleasant day, and I also wish our community to be more harmonious.”

BC MLA Steve Kooner delivered a speech and presented a congratulatory letter. In his speech, he expressed his gratitude to Xing Wu Zen Temple for doing such a meaningful activity for community.

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The multicultural Art and Expo Festival was kicked off by the wonderful dragon and lion dance

(Dragon dance performance: students from Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center)

(Lion dance performance: Hu Weikun Baimei Martial Arts Center)   

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Venerable Shi Xing Wu delivered a welcome speech

Master Xing Wu said in his speech: “The purpose of holding such a public welfare event is to awaken the public’s attention to the earth’s ecology and spiritual environmental protection through the integration of Buddhist wisdom and multiculturalism. By establishing a connection with sentient beings in this way, we can not only promote Buddhism, but also organically combine religion with Chinese traditional culture, spread the Dharma, serve the society, and benefit sentient beings.”

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the elders who came from afar, all the great masters, the Dharma protectors and lay Bodhisattvas, the staff and volunteers, the media friends and participants for their efforts, which made the event a complete success and filled with joy.

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Venerable Zhaochu, Executive Committee Member of the International Vesak Day Council, Vice President of the World Fellowship of Buddhists, Vice President of the World Buddhist Sangha, and Vice President of the World Chinese Buddhist Association, said: “I pray for the compassion of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, for world peace, the long-term existence of the Dharma, the peace of all sentient beings, the good fortune of the believers, and the increase of blessings and wisdom.”

The Abbot of Taiwan Xinshan Temple, Master Huiqian, gave a speech

Singapore Guang Ming Shan, Singapore Buddhist College, Master Da Wu gave a speech

Venerable Somkid Suddhiyano Thailand Abbot gave a speech.

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The chairman of the event Master Shi Xing Wu presented each Venerable with a certificate of appreciation and a Buddha statue.

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Master Shi Xing Wu presented the certificate of appreciation to supporting organizers and supporting units.

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The multicultural art and expo festival performances were spectacular, with more than 400 performers bringing energetic and exciting performances to the audience.

 

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In the afternoon, at the International Buddhist Seminar [The Comprehensive Buddhist Wisdom], the master gave a lecture and engaged in sharing and communication.

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The preparation for this event took several months, and believers shared in the joy of Dharma. It brought together the strength of masters and volunteers from Xing Wu Zen Temple, supporting organizations, more than 400 performers and staff participating in the performance, and wise and virtuous Bodhisattvas from all walks of life in the community. 

Participants said that the Dharma Assembly not only allowed them to feel the solemnity and compassion of Buddhism, but also enhanced their understanding and respect for different cultures. 

A Western participant from the local community said: “This is my first time to participate in the Buddha Bathing Festival. I am deeply moved by the solemn ceremony and friendly atmosphere.”

The 2025 International Buddha Bathing Festival and BC Buddhist Culture Day, and the third Multicultural Art and Expo Festival were successfully held. They were a complete success and full of joy. 

They not only provided believers with a platform for prayer and practice together, but also made positive contributions to promoting multicultural exchanges in the community. 

In the future, Xing Wu Zen Temple will continue to uphold the spirit of compassion and altruism, hold more public welfare and cultural activities, benefit the public and give back to society. 

With this extraordinary merit, we dedicate it to all sentient beings in the all directions of the universe.  We pray for world peace and people’s happiness.

 

Thanks to: Organizers, Co-organizers, Supporting Units, Performing Units, Media Support
 
Thanks to: General Director: Ling Yu,

 Executive Director: Xiaodi, 

Stage Director: Dennis

Thanks to: Stanley Wong，

Thanks to Sound: Lao Fu Sound

Thanks to: Photographer: Simon, CY, Speed, Andy, BVS Photography

Thanks to: TOP1 BIG Screen Thanks to: FX168 Live Broadcast Sponsor!

Thanks to HOHA media for promoting the event

Thank you to all the vendors for their booths, and to the volunteers!

Master Shi Xing Wu