Members of the local Buddhist community will mark the most important day on their religious calendar today.
Vesak, also known as Buddha Day, is observed globally to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha.
The Sri Lankan Buddhists and Well-Wishers Community of Newfoundland is holding an event at the Mount Pearl Soccer Association to mark the occasion.
Board member Dula Iluksooriya says they are holding the event at that venue because there isn’t a Buddhist temple in Newfoundland and Labrador.
She estimates there are over 1,000 Buddhists living in the province, many from Asian and East Asian countries, but they often do not know each other due to the lack of a temple where they can connect.
Iluksooriya says there were discussions within the Sri Lankan community about establishing a temple about 15 years ago, but to make that happen, the community needs to come together. She notes that people often come to Newfoundland for education and then leave, so there isn’t an established community to organize such an effort.
Today’s event is taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
