2565th Buddha Jayanti Observed in Canada

Enepalese Published on: June 4, 2021

The Nepalese community in Edmonton,Canada observed 2565th Buddha Jayanti amidst a special cultural event on Saturday May 29, 2021.The cultural event was hosted by Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA),a local organization to practice,promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions in Edmonton,Alberta, Canada.

The cultural event was inaugurated by Dr.Hemanta Joshi,President of NCSA,by lighting Twadewas, Nepalese traditional artistic oil lamps.Dr.Joshi also offered Khata to Lord Buddha.The cultural event was hosted virtually via Webex due to Covid-19 pandemic.

In his welcome speech Dr.Hemanta Joshi said that NCSA has been engaging in the community by organizing various cultural events annually in Edmonton,Canada since its establishment in 2013 to practice, preserve and promote Newa culture and traditions for the current and future generations.Dr. Joshi briefly talked about Buddha and Buddha’s teachings for peaceful living.According to Dr. Joshi,Buddha’s teachings are more important in today’s world than twenty five hundred sixty five years ago as in today’s world violence and conflicts are happening on a daily basis in every nook and corner of the world.If all people in the world follow his teachings of non-violence and peace in every walk of their life,the world would be more peaceful and free from violence and conflicts.According to Dr.Joshi,UNESCO (United Nations,Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1997 designated Lumbini,the birth place of Buddha,as a world cultural heritage site because of its historical, religious and cultural significance in the world.

In the 2565th Buddha Jayanti virtual cultural event,participants/viewers were entertained with vivid video clips related to Buddha Puja,Dharma Deshna,Charya dance,and Buddhist devotional songs collected from different sources (NCSA,local artists and YouTube).Mr.Mahesh Maharjan and Mrs.Sunita Pradhan,Members of NCSA,were the MCs of the cultural event.