The wonderful Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival is lighting up Fed Square this month. Celebrate with arts, music, workshops, multicultural performances and Buddhist ceremonies over three fun-filled days, from Friday May 19 to Sunday May 21. For the first time, the festival is also throwing spectacular fireworks displays on Friday and Saturday night.
Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival
This free festival is presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria. The festivities will launch with the Light It Up Opening Ceremony at 6pm on Friday. This event will feature cultural performances from the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne, National Boys Choir and Wadaiko Rindo, as well as traditional Buddhist ceremonies.
Other events you can look forward to include:
- Lotus Flower Sanctuary – this meditative space is set underneath 30 illuminated lotus flowers. Stretching four metres tall, you’ll feel at peace among these glowing blooms. Take part in guided meditation sessions throughout the festival.
- Mindfulness Forest – venture into this space and find a sense of calm by colouring the tall illuminated columns.
- Lumbini Garden and the Happy Buddha – visit this garden of giant statues and lotus flowers. This space replicates the Lumbini Garden, where Queen Maya gave birth to Buddha.
- Multicultural performances – celebrate Melbourne’s diversity and see a vast range of song, dance, choral and orchestral performances and workshops from a vast range of cultures, including Japanese, Indonesian, Indian, Chinese, Mexican, Maori and Scottish.
- Bathing the Buddha Arches – celebrate the birth of Buddha by pouring fragrant water over the statue of Buddha three times. This symbolic act cleanses the body, speech and thoughts. You’re welcome to give it a go, even if you’re not a Buddhist.
- Tai Chi & Meditation – learn and experience the benefits of Tai Chi and meditation during guided sessions.
- Children’s Corner – the kids will have plenty of fun, with lion and dragon dance workshops, giant bubbles, face painting, balloon twisting and scout groups.
- Baby Blessing Ceremony – the Venerables of Fo Guang Shan will bless children aged five and under. Parents will need to register to be a part of this ceremony. Find out more here.