Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) Sydney Chapter jointly hosted the 31st Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Festival on 3-4 May, at Sydney Darling Harbour. The festival was attended by The Hon. Stephen Kamper MP, Deputy Minister for Multiculturalism; Clr. Robert Kok, representing Clr. Clover Moore AO, Lord Mayor of Sydney; along with other officials. Nearly 10,000 visitors from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds participated in the two-day festival.

Auspicious Buddha’s Birthday Festival: Spreading Happiness and Peace

This year's festival was themed “Coexistence & Coprosperity,” focusing on harmony in diversity and prosperity through unity. Through sutra transcription, organisers invited visitors to discover how to find true happiness and blessings in everyday life by learning from the Mangala Sutra (Auspicious Sutra taught by the Buddha). The festival also offered a wide range of family-friendly activities, including VegRun – a charity fun run, a Light Offering Dharma Service, Buddha Bathing & Blessing, a Wishing and Blessings area, SDG sustainability workshops, Buddha’s Light Scouts Investiture, and Baby Blessing ceremonies, among others.

Light Offering Dharma Service: Praying for World Peace

In the evening, the “Light Offering Dharma Service” brought together nearly 500 participants from different cultures and faiths. Attendees respectfully lit lanterns and offered prayers for world peace and social harmony. Venerable Man Ko, Chief Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Australia and New Zealand, guided everyone in a group meditation and recited Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Prayer for World Peace and Relief for Earthquake Victims. The event encouraged everyone to share kindness and compassion through good deeds, spreading positive energy throughout the world.