Buddha's Day & Multicultural Festival 2021

We are all blessed the Australian nation has been kept safe and well during COVID times. The freedom we have here is not available in other parts of the world and despite it being a year ups and downs, we are grateful to the Victorian Government and everyone for protecting and caring for each other. It is during this time that COVID has shown us how we are actually interconnected and that we rely on each other to coexist. As we celebrate the Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival our hearts are connected in kindness and tolerance toward each other.

In order to actualise self-compassion, compassion to others, compassion to the society, the nation and the world, Venerable Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, proposes the Three Acts of Goodness – “Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words, Think Good Thoughts”. When we all practice the Three Acts of Goodness, the community, society and the world will become a better place.

Wishing you good health and harmony.

Head Abbess Venerable Man Ko, Australia and New Zealand Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temples

BLIA Victoria is proud to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival in Victoria and to host one of the first major multicultural festivals in Melbourne’s CBD following extended lockdowns.

The Festival enables us to celebrate cultural, artistic and faith diversity within Victoria. Enjoy a spectacular animated display that will light up Fed Square each evening, be entertained by an array of cultural dance and song performances, relax and refresh your mind and spirit through traditional religious ceremonies, such as Bathing the Buddha or guided Ch’an meditation, mindfully colour your way to peace in our Mindfulness Forest, learn how vegetarianism can literally save our planet or prayerfully contemplate in our inaugural Lotus Flower Sanctuary. These are just a few of the activities designed to help us all celebrate religious and cultural diversity.

To further your faith and cultural experiences, Fo Guang Shan offers traditional Buddhist ceremonies, language classes, meditation and tea meditation classes in its two Melbourne temples: Yarraville (Fo Guang Shan Melbourne) and Box Hill (Fo Guang Shan Er You Temple & Water Drop Tea House).

David Yu, President of Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria.

The festival is an excellent example of how Victoria’s multicultural community comes together to share and embrace all cultures and faiths.
I commend all involved on your efforts to strengthen intercultural and interfaith dialogue, and for reaffirming the shared values that make us a stronger, safer and more harmonious community.

The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria.

Buddhism has a strong history in Australia, and the contribution of Buddhist thought to our culture and society is greatly valued. In a time of increasing global uncertainty and unrest, the Buddha’s teachings of equality, respect and understanding have growing relevance to all who wish to build a more caring and peaceful world.

The Hon. Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia.

The City of Melbourne is proud to support the Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival 2021.

Community festivals celebrate the very best of our diversity, and it is a joy to see Federation Square welcome people of all ages and backgrounds, coming together to re-discover their city.
Enjoy a vibrant weekend of culture, entertainment, lion dances and traditional Buddhist ceremonies. Presented by Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria, this festival invites us to commemorate the birth of Buddha and in doing so, promotes cultural understanding.
The weekend’s entertainment spans African drumming, Spanish Flamenco dancing and Melbourne Gospel choirs; or experience the festival at a slower pace through mindfulness and meditation activities.

Melbourne has come alive again, now that we can hold safe and well-planned events to boost our city’s social and economic recovery.

Congratulations to the organisers and I invite all in our city to enjoy this celebration of Melbourne’s rich and diverse culture.

Sally Capp, Lord Mayor of City of Melbourne.

Fed Square is proud of its partnership with Fo Guang Shan Melbourne and Buddha’s Light International Association of Victoria to host Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival 2021.

Celebrating its eighteenth year at the precinct, the Buddha’s Day & Multicultural Festival is firmly established as one of the annual highlights at Fed Square and a significant cultural attraction for our community. A vibrant and inclusive celebration, the festival is a fantastic example of how Fed Square can play a critical role in enriching the civic and cultural life of Melbourne.

Fed Square strives to be somewhere that immerses visitors in unique cultural experiences and the many cultural festivals and events we host each year help us deliver on this vision and provide members of our divers community a place of welcoming and belonging in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD.

Caroline Ralphsmith, CEO Fed Square.