Let compassion and love meet and happen, let peace and beauty encounter each other.

International Bathing Buddha Festival and B.C. Buddhist Culture Day and the 4th Love the Earth Multicultural Art and Expo officially opens on the 2026. 

Some encounters are arranged. Some encounters are needed. But this time, it was a perfect encounter for the entire city.

On the afternoon of March 28, 2026, the Xing Wu Zen Temple in Richmond was filled with the soothing sounds of Buddhist chants and the warmth of community. The press conference for the “2026 International Bathing Buddha Festival & B.C. Buddhist Culture Day – The 4th Annual Love the Earth Multicultural Art and Expo Festival,” hosted by the Xing Wu Zen Temple, was solemnly held.

Representatives from the Buddhist community, political circles, cultural and artistic circles, and various community sectors gathered together to witness this important moment and kick off the grand festival to be on May 2. 

The press conference officially began, hosted by Cao Sisi and Xiaodi in both Chinese and English.

The Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble opened the event with a performance of “Horse Riding and Whipping, Busy Transporting Grain.” The music was lively and energetic, full of rhythm and vitality, injecting joy and vibrancy into the entire press conference and setting the stage for the event.

Venerable Shi Xing Wu, along with Venerable Shengming, Venerable Yaoyuan, Venerable Weiyi, and Venerable Xinmiao, conducted a blessing ceremony for the public. The chanting was pure and the air was filled with Dharma joy. This was not merely a ceremony, but a purification of the soul and a transmission of blessings.

In his address, Venerable Xing Wu, abbot of Xing Wu Zen Temple, the organizer, expressed his deep joy and gratitude for forming this auspicious connection with the public amidst the light of the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom.

B.C. Buddhist Culture Day” is an official announcement by the British Columbia government and the Richmond city government that the first weekend of May each year will be designated as Buddhist Culture Day. This not only affirms Buddhist culture but also testifies to the spread and recognition of Buddhism in Western society.

This grand event has transcended religious celebrations, becoming an important platform for connecting communities and promoting multicultural exchange.

Xing Wu Zen Temple, with its original aspiration of inheriting Buddhism and promoting compassion and wisdom, prays for social harmony and world peace. This year’s event brings together many eminent monks and virtuous masters from different countries, cities, and traditions, as well as various multicultural groups. Through the bathing of the Buddha and a carnival, we convey the shared aspirations of kindness, multiculturalism, environmental protection, public welfare, community harmony, and care for the Earth. We sincerely invite everyone to join us in this grand event and share in the joy of Dharma.

This is precisely the direction that Xing Wu Zen Temple has been promoting for many years: to let Buddhism step out of the halls, into the people, and into daily life.

The Dharma Masters also gave their respective discourses, explaining to the guests the significance of Buddhism in contemporary society from the perspectives of wisdom, compassion.

Master Sheng Ming

Master Yao Yuan

Master Wei Yi

Master Xin Miao

Guests from political and social circles also delivered speeches.

Steve Kooner, MLA

MP Chak Au assistant Lulu Shen

Anne Kang, MLA Assistant —Linda Li

Lynx co.~Organizer and on-site director of the Bathing Buddha Festival, delivered a speech and called on everyone to give their support and participate actively.
Daniel Li, advisor to Xing Wu Zen Temple and former Deputy Mayor of Vancouver, read a congratulatory letter on behalf of Member of Parliament Parm Bains.
Representatives from the co-organizing units delivered speeches, unanimously expressing their support for such a large-scale multicultural and community public welfare event, which is of profound significance for promoting social understanding and enhancing community cohesion.

Top left: Yuan Hong, President of Star Ring  Group

Top right: Bing Bing, Canadian Dramatic Arts

 

Bottom left: Renee Hua , Wendu Media

Bottom right: Grace Liu, Shining Stars Intercultural Socity of Cananda

Top left: Nu  Stream  Kenny Cui Group

Top right: Melinda Ding, Canadian Gem & Jade Association

 

Bottom left: Eric Szeto , Canadian Multicultural Arts & Performing Alliance

Bottom right: Dr. Joey Ng (Ng Kai Lun), Chairman of the World Youth Leaders Academy & Foundation

Top left: Han Yan, President of the Canada–China Friendship Association

Top right: Liu Jianping, President of the Surrey Branch of the Canadian Chinese Seniors Association

 

Bottom left: Xie Guirong, Captain of the Vancouver Hunan Gongs and Drums Group 

Bottom right: Amy Cao, President of the Vancouver Macau  Fellowship Association

Top left: May, President of Ultimate 24Karat Gold Company

Top right:  David Tong , President of the Senior Chinese Vancouver Society

 

Bottom left: Alia Lou, President of the Bliss Charitable Foundation

Bottom right: Tina Kong, Shining Stars Intercultural Socity of Cananda  

The press conference featured a variety of artistic performances, showcasing the beauty of Chinese culture and embodying the artistic expression of the integration of diverse cultures.
Dance (“Little Fairy”) – Zhang Haiyan Dance Academy
Chinese Martial Arts Performance – Shi Xingwu Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center
Dance (“Little Princess”) – Hong Jie Dance Academy
Song Performance (“Aba Ama”) – Gao Dabao
Dance (“Mountain Dance”) – Xinyue Dance Academy
Dance (“Lotus”) – Hong Jie Dance Academy
Dance (“My Beautiful Hometown”) – Zhang Haiyan Dance Academy

Group photos capture a precious moment together, freezing each smile in a special way. 

These photos not only capture the joy of being together, but also the team’s shared anticipation for the grand event on May 2nd.

A Grand Event is Coming Soon! 

We cordially invite you to the 2026 International Bathing Buddha Day & B.C. Buddhist Culture Day, and the 4th Annual Love the Earth Multicultural Art and Expo Festival to be held on:📅 2026年5月2日

🕙 10:00am  – 6:00pm

📍 Richmond Cambie Community Centre Park

The grand event will feature: • A solemn Buddha bathing ceremony

• 50+ exciting stage performances
• 100+ unique cultural and food stalls
 • 500+ local artists
• 100+ multi-ethnic cultural exchanges and interactive experiences.

This is not just a festival, but an invitation to spread goodwill, peace and hope to the community.

On May 2nd, let’s meet in Richmond—to share the Buddha’s light and the joy of Dharma; let compassion and wisdom flow between people’s hearts, and let love, tolerance, and goodwill spread peace and beauty throughout the city.

Special Thanks: Sponsors, Organizers, Co-organizers, Supporting Organizations, Performing Groups, and Media Support

 

Special thanks to the hosts: Cao Sisi and Xiao Di

 

Special thanks to the performing groups: Zhang Haiyan Dance Academy, Hong Jie Dance Academy, Shi Xingwu Shaolin Zen Wu Cultural Center, Gao Dabao, Xinyue Dance Academy

 

Special thanks for video production and playback: Stanley Wong

 

Special thanks for sound effects: Lao Fu Sound

 

Special thanks to photography: Simon, George Liang, Bailey,  Liang Deng

 

Special thanks for screen sponsorship: TOP1 BIG Screen

 

Special thanks to HOHA Media Promotion

 

Special thanks to all guests, performing groups, and volunteers for their support

 

Venerable Master Shi Xingwu bows in gratitude (with palms together)