Vesak celebrations in Ottawa, Canada

Walter RUPASINGHE - Former Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Canada

During my tenure of service in Ottawa, Canada, I came across a number of Canadians who were interested in learning about Buddhism. My wife Siri and I were therefore determined to make the Vesak and Poson celebrations in Ottawa as meaningful as possible to both Sri Lankans and Canadians alike. Our objective was to capture the nostalgic spirit of these two great festivals in a land far away from home.

May and June in Ottawa is blessed with delightfully cool weather after the five month long harsh winter and many Canadians spend their time out doors. The stately heritage building which houses the Residency overlooks a beautiful park frequented by many Canadians. This provided an ideal setting for the celebrations to be held outdoors.

We made an attractive Vesak Lantern which was typically Sri Lankan and hung it up at the main entrance to the Residency. The lantern and the entire lawn were illuminated and became a major attraction.

We invited a Buddhist monk from the Buddhist Vihara in Toronto, some three hundred miles away to be our guest during the Vesak and Poson period to cater to the needs of the participants. He was more than happy to be with us not only because of the peace and tranquility of the beautiful and spacious surroundings but also because of the simple but delicious meals which my wife Siri personally cooked for him. It was a welcome change for him.

There was open air Bana preaching in the afternoon of the Vesak Full Moon Poya day and the day after. A similar program was arranged for the Poson festival.

This was a big draw and many Canadians visiting the park dropped by to listen to the preacher. We warmly welcomed them to join in the celebration and learn something about the teachings of Lord Buddha. Many of them were very appreciative of our invitation and decided to stay on.

Some of them came back the next day as well. We also distributed copies of that very informative booklet "Buddhism in Sri Lanka" by the late Dr. G. P. Malalasekera which was very well received. We were told that several Canadians read it in the cozy comfort of their homes.

Some of them came back to ask the learned monk clarification on the various aspects of Buddhism. They were particularly interested in the Noble Eight Fold Path and expressed various views about it.

We also had a table laid out with kiribath, jaggery, lunumiris ambulthiyal and bananas and the best Sri Lanka tea and invited the Canadians to join us. They ate heartily and were full of gratitude for the experience.

This was followed by readings from the Dhammapada which provoked lively discussion at which the erudite monk with his wit and humour made a lasting impression on the audience.

Videos were shown of Buddhist shrines in Sri Lanka and also how Sri Lankans celebrated Vesak and Poson in the cities and the villages.

These were very nostalgic moments for the Sri Lankans who were present. They were not concerned about the pandals and illuminations in the big cities but the simple and homely programs arranged in humble villages where under the silvery light of the Vesak Full Moon streams of white clad devotees carrying bouquets of lotus flowers wended their way to the welcome ringing of temple bells to pay homage to the Blessed One, the Enlightened One.

Several Canadians expressed a wish to visit Sri Lanka to learn more about the country and her people.

A similar program was organized on Poson Poya Day and was well patronized.