The Maylands temple and Buddha’s Light International Association of WA (BLIAWA) launched its Buddha’s Birthday Multicultural Festival in 1998 at the temple before relocating to Supreme Court Gardens and Langley Park in recent years.
This year’s festival is the first time it will be held at Elizabeth Quay and will be a celebration of the Sakyamuni Buddha’s day of birth more than 2500 years ago in northern India.
Festivities include the bathing of the Buddha, a baby blessing ceremony, mass meditation, tai chi and more than 20 food and art stalls.
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READ NOWBLIAWA member and festival co-organiser Grace Collins said the new location would accommodate a growing number of attendees.
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“We can still make use of the parking at Supreme Court Gardens but for people who do not drive, the Elizabeth Quay train station is right next door and there is also the ferry from South Perth,” she said.
Ms Collins said she hoped people could learn how to improve their life and way of thinking at the festival.
“Buddha taught us how to eradicate troubles and misery, and be able to be elevated and enjoy a more peaceful and happy lifestyle,” she said.
BLIAWA president and co-organiser David Yee said other religious leaders were invited to pray for world peace.
Fo Guang Shan Temple’s Venerable Juedi said the festival would also promote the Be Kind Be Vego initiative and Buddha’s Birthday Education Project.
The Buddha’s Birthday and Multicultural Festival will be held on April 8 and 9 at Elizabeth Quay.