Get to know us

The BC Buddhist Festival was first launched in 2015 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, as a free and inclusive event open to all. Founded and organized by Tsengdok Rinpoche, the festival serves as a platform to bring together diverse Buddhist traditions in a shared mission to spread the teachings of the Buddha. The festival’s theme, "One Buddha, Many Traditions" reflects the unity within Buddhism, which can be broadly categorized into three major traditions: Theravāda (Southern), Mahāyāna (Northern), and Vajrayāna (Tibetan).

The festival’s core mission is to unite the Buddhist community, introduce Buddhism to the public, support multiculturalism, raise awareness about Vesak, and promote peace and harmony worldwide. Large-scale, non-denominational Buddhist events like this are rare globally, but Canada’s multicultural policy fosters inclusivity and unity, providing a unique opportunity for different Buddhist traditions to come together and flourish.

The Significance of Vesak

Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, is one of the most sacred Buddhist festivals, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. While different Buddhist traditions honor Vesak in unique ways, the celebration universally promotes peace, compassion, and social responsibility. It is a long-standing tradition for Buddhists to use this day to help those in need, support charitable causes, and contribute to the well-being of society.