The “2023 Multi-Faith Prayers for Peace - Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair” is making a comeback on Father’s Day June 18th of this year.  On May 31st, the event co-hosts, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto (FGS Toronto), and the Buddha’s Light International Association Toronto Chapter (BLIA Toronto), held a joint press conference at the Markham Buddha’s Light Centre. In attendance were 14 media outlets. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease, FGS Toronto and BLIA Toronto Chapter are responding to the UN’s calls of post-pandemic re-opening and resumption of community activities by reviving one of the most highly anticipated events of the Toronto Buddhist community: The 2023 Multi-Faith Prayers for Peace - Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair. Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of FGS Toronto, further emphasized the FGS working objectives of “propagating Buddhism through cultural activities and benefiting the society with philanthropy as the aims of the event”. With great joy and intention of making positive affinities, the FGS community strives to unite people of all faith to come together to pray for world peace in the post-pandemic era. 

The President, Vice President, and Secretary General of the BLIA Toronto highlighted the specialties of the Vegetarian Food Fair throughout the press conference. There are 61 booths that offer more than a hundred varieties of vegetarian fine cuisine from around the world. Through collaborative joint efforts, generosity of the FGS devotees and volunteers, all the food prepared are from freshest ingredients. The creative selection of vegetarian foods also promotes healthy plant-based lifestyle. 

To implement the theme of Father’s Day, the Vegetarian Food Fair offers family-friendly activities free of charge. Brainteasers, craft, sports, wildlife conservation, tree planting, bouncy castles, and more games geared towards children of all ages. 

Another highly expected feature of the Food Fair is the line-up of cultural and traditional Buddhist performances, including Chinese lion & dragon dance, kung fu, and children’s recital in Mandarin & English. Moreover, there are professional showcases of Eastern dances and singing from both the Buddha’s Light Choir and BLIA-Young Adult Division (YAD) group dedicated to the occasion of Father’s Day. The St. John Ambulance and Peel Region Police will also set up booth to promote and provide information on community health and safety. 

Ms. Mabel encouraged the public to bring their own food containers to reduce one-time use cutlery waste. This reminder represents the FGS community’s commitment to propagate environmental conservation and giving back to the society. For the past 20 years, the proceeds from the Vegetarian Food Fair have been donated to a wide variety of community causes and projects such as: Ontario 211 Services, research on new-comers settlement carried out by University of Toronto’s Factor Inwentash School Of Social Work, MRI equipment at Scarborough hospital, Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association, and Buddhist academic exchange and research. The warmth of the FGS community also extends to emergency aid to natural disasters around the world. All these activities and events are central pillars of Humanistic Buddhism. 

‍