On Saturday, September 24th, the cultural experience known as the 2022 Community Crime Awareness Day (CCAD) took place at the Mississauga Celebration Square for the first time since the covid interruption started in 2019. Special guests included representatives from the government: Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga; Hazel McCallion, former Mississauga mayor and representatives from the Peel Regional Police Department and Fire Department. Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, and Mabel Lam, the president of BLIA Toronto, were invited to attend the event on behalf of the temple, acting as the opening ceremony guests for the ribbon-cutting and lion dance event.

On this beautiful sunny day, crowds of the general public and families participated in the event. As always, this police-community fun day carried out a series of multicultural performances, reflecting multiculturalism in Canada. The police station and the fire department also demonstrated various professional facilities, tools, and fire drills to advocate community safety, policing priorities, and efforts to create a safe living environment for the community. Police representatives also explained to the public their standard daily duties and community security practices while interacting warmly with the crowd.

After the opening ceremony, the Fo Guang ShanTemple of Toronto’s Dragon and Lion Dance Team performed on the stage first.The lively and wonderful performance brought the atmosphere to a high point.Later, singing, dancing, and instrument shows performed by various organizations gained continuous applause. The large-scale dolls, children play area, and other numerous events bustled the entire Celebration Square with excitement. 

At this event, the BLIA Toronto booths were staffed by volunteers from the Mississauga No. 1, 2, 3, and 4 subchapters, and Daci No. 1, 2, and 3 subchapters. Handouts were distributed to the public to introduce and promote Humanistic Buddhism. These included pocketbooks forHumanistic Buddhism, Fo Guang Shan Toronto Humanistic Buddhism College, children and youth classes, and Chinese schools. Thus, a greater audience would be reached and form affinities with Fo Guang Shan Toronto and learn about the wisdom of Buddhism. BLIA Toronto specially introduced the establishment of"Buddha's Light Spiritual Care Group." Ever since the pandemic, the need for spiritual care in the community has increased rapidly and trained caring volunteers have provided spiritual care and support for individuals and families. Together, the event volunteers demonstrated Humanistic Buddhism:"what is taught by the Buddha, what is needed by humanity, what is pure, and what is virtuous and beautiful." BLIA members have helped purify society, served the community, and cared for the spirituality of people. Where the Buddha's light shines, there is the Humanistic Pure Land.

Edited by Brian Choi