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Buddhist Chaplain, MFC @ SFU
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Buddha’s Birthday Newsletter
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Words of Compassion and Wisdom
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Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Message — Abbot Tsang Chit |
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The Buddha appeared in this world to guide all beings toward awakening. We are grateful for the compassionate teachings of our Abbot, who inspires us to face life with wisdom and harmony. On this joyous occasion of the Buddha’s Birthday, we wish everyone peace, wisdom, compassion, and Dharma joy. We warmly invite you to watch the video and receive the compassionate blessings of the Buddha Dharma. |
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Meaning of the Buddhist Flag — Dharma Teaching by Abbot Tsang Chit |
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The five-coloured Buddhist flag—blue, yellow, red, white, and orange—represents the five lights of the Buddha’s enlightenment, which together merge into one radiant light symbolizing the truth of the Dharma. Each colour carries meaning: blue represents compassion; yellow the Middle Way; red the practice of Dharma and merit; white purity and liberation; and orange wisdom. Together, they express harmony and awakening. The Buddhist flag should be respected as a symbol of the Three Jewels—the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. |
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Dharma Teaching — Abbot Tsang Chit |
After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha spent forty-nine years teaching the Dharma, traditionally known as the “Five Periods of Teaching.” First, he taught the profound Avataṃsaka Sūtra for twenty-one days. He then taught the Āgama Sutras for twelve years, followed by the Vaipulya teachings, the Prajñā Sutras for twenty-two years, and finally the Lotus Sutra and Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra in his later years.
The Buddha taught according to the capacities and needs of different beings, guiding them to cultivate compassion and wisdom. In today’s complex and distracting world, the practice of Buddhism requires studying the sutras, reflecting deeply, and cultivating the mind from the foundation.
The Five Periods also contain the teachings of the Five Vehicles: Human, Heavenly, Śrāvaka, Pratyekabuddha, and Bodhisattva. The purpose of practice is not comparison with others, but the removal of greed, anger, and ignorance, while developing morality, concentration, and wisdom — the Threefold Training. Through continued learning, practice, and repentance, one’s inner nature gradually grows in clarity and virtue.
Adapted from a Dharma Teaching at Tung Lin Kok Yuen. |
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Buddha’s Birthday Event Preview
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Buddha's Birthday Celebration Assembly & Open Days 2026 |
To celebrate the Buddha's birthday this year, Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society is organizing a cerebration assembly and open days in May.
Through the celebration, we pay respect to the Buddha by "bathing" the Buddha while purifying our mind, with an aspiration to follow the teachings of the Buddha, so that his light of compassion will shine through the world. In addition, the Society will also organize open days with guided tours, booth activities, and experiential practice. We hope to celebrate this Buddha's birthday with the public with these religious and cultural activities. |
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Buddha’s Birthday Dharma Ceremony |
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The Buddha’s advent into this world is like a radiant sun dispelling the darkness of ignorance, bringing forth wisdom and compassion. On this auspicious occasion of the Buddha’s Birthday, we sincerely invite you to attend the Bathing the Buddha Ceremony, to cleanse the mind of ignorance and give rise to a pure heart free from doubt, defilements, and confusion. Through this sacred ritual, participants draw near to the Three Jewels and experience the vast and equal compassion of the Dharma, aspiring that all beings may be endowed with wholesome roots and merits. We warmly welcome you to join in offering flowers and bathing the Buddha image, cultivating merit and wisdom through this solemn and sacred observance.
Date: Sunday, May 24, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society |
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Buddha’s Birthday Open Day — Booth Games |
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The Buddha’s Birthday Open Day booth activities are designed to offer diverse and meaningful interactive experiences.
From mindful painting, calligraphy practice, copying Dharma verses, to Zen-inspired creative art, participants are guided to cultivate awareness through focused artistic expression. Through drawing Dharma quote bookmarks from classical teachings, Buddhist board games, and engaging interactive activities, participants are invited to experience the wisdom and inspiration of the Dharma.
Lotus paper folding and mindful handicrafts further allow the mind to settle through concentration, bringing a sense of inner peace and joy.
The overall booth activities are designed to be both educational and enjoyable, allowing everyone to connect with Buddhism in a relaxed way and experience the daily practice of awakening and compassion.
Time: Saturday, May 23, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, May 24, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society
All are warmly invited to participate. Some sessions have limited capacity and require pre-registratio. |
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Buddha’s Birthday Open Day Map Guide |
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In the LCSG, Sessions 2 and 3 were led by Venerables Fa Ren and Ven. Wai Leung , featuring sharing and exchange with participants. Venerable Fa Ren emphasized “transforming the mind” as the foundation of practice, while Venerable Wai Leung, drawing on the Noble Eightfold Path, elaborated on its meaning through Buddhist wisdom, guiding the transformation of afflictions into awareness, nurturing inner stillness and joy, and fostering a calm and composed state of body and mind. |
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Buddhistdoor Global (BDG)
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May there be many more Buddhist books like Priya Kumari’s “My Vesak – Day of Buddha” |
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Priya Kumari brings the joy of Vesak around the world to children in an inspiring volume masterfully illustrated by Urvashi Dubey |
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Buddhistdoor Global (BDG) |
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Subscribe to Electronic Newsletter
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We offer a newsletter for subscription and will be delivered to you regularly via email or social media. You could unsubscribe from the newsletter or change your subscription anytime using the links included in the newsletter. By subscribing to this newsletter, you have read and agree with our privacy policy, terms of use, and disclaimers For technical or other related inquiries, please email [email protected].
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加拿大東蓮覺苑 Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Canada Society
2495 Victoria Dr. Vancouver, B.C. Canada V5N 4L1
+1 (604) 255 6337 | [email protected]
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