Welcome to the Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival

2013 Program Highlights - View PDF (2.5Mb)

Proudly presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha's Light International Association of Victoria (BLIA VIC), the Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival marks the Buddhist holidays with a unique annual event celebrating vesak or wesak (Buddha's birthday), flavoured by Melbourne's diverse multicultural society.

Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival incorporates the traditions of Buddhist ceremonies and celebrations including the "Bathing of the Buddha", daily Dharma ceremonies, the Wishing Bell and traditional incense offerings, a vegetarian culinary tour of Asia alongside the Yarra on the River Terrace, cultural demonstrations and insights, music, art and craft and community service groups.

Plenty for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike!

The festival is a unique introduction to Buddhism for kids and families with special activities and games for the younger of body and mind.

A festival for mind, body and spirit.

As with previous Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festivals, entry to the event is free making the event and programs accessible so those from all walks of life can find out and experience what Buddhism is really like in practice.

The Buddhist Festival is organised entirely by volunteers of Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha's Light International Association of Victoria, with recognition of the ongoing and generous assistance of the sponsors and local community.

The Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival promotes vesak in the spirit of cooperation, cultural diversity, community understanding and harmony.

This festival weaves another proud thread in the multicultural fabric of Melbourne and is proudly sponsored by the City of Melbourne, Federation Square, theVictorian Multicultural Commission and Community Partner City West Water.