On Father’s Day, June 18th, Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) of Toronto hosted the “2023 Multi-Faith Prayers for World Peace and Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair.” Leaders from diverse religious backgrounds, such as Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam, and the Baha’i Faith, attended the event. This significant occasion attracted over a thousand individuals, including government officials, police officers, community organizations, and the general public, who gathered to pray for global peace and to enjoy the vegetarian food fair.

The Multi-Faith Prayers for World Peace ceremony commenced at 10:00 am with the Indigenous Land Acknowledgement, expressing gratitude to the land for its beauty and for nurturing all beings. Sixteen young members representing the BLIA Young Adult Division and Radiance Legacy subchapter engaged in the heartwarming practice of offering flowers and light.

Venerable Chueh Fan, the Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto led the recitation of the Heart Sutra and read a prayer for world peace written by Venerable Master Hsing Yun. Following that, representatives from major world religions offered their blessings and prayers for the well-being of humanity and the world. Prominent faith leaders such as Reverend Peter Chin, Chair of the Chinese Pastoral Council from the Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, Chief Bhante Wellawaye Uditha and Bhante Lin Ding from the Waterloo Wellington Buddhist Monastery and Meditation Centre, Rabbi Audrey Pollack and Ms. Arliene Botnick from Solel Congregation, Mr. A.Q. Mufti from the Mississauga Muslim Community Center, and Mr. Ba Linh Le from the Bahá’í Community of Mississauga, delivered heartfelt prayers for peace.

The Abbess, Venerable Chueh Fan and Mabel Lam, the President of the BLIA Toronto chapter, expressed their gratitude for the support and participation from all attendees while extending warm wishes for a happy Father's Day. Venerable Chueh Fan highlighted the significance of the in-person return of the "Multi-Faith Prayers for World Peace and Buddha's Light Vegetarian Food Fair" after the pandemic, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the FGS Temple of Toronto in 1997. Additionally, it had been 32 years since Venerable Master Hsing Yun propagated Humanistic Buddhism in Toronto in 1991, emphasizing the Venerable Master's teaching that a harmonious society starts from the individual.

Ms. Iqra Khalid, Member of Parliament for Mississauga - Erin Mills, delivered a special message from the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, acknowledging the event's contribution to promoting awareness, respect, and understanding of religious diversity while emphasizing the importance of working towards global peace.

Ms. Jin-Ling Chen, Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Toronto, Mrs. Nina Tangri, MPP for Mississauga-Streetsville, and Councilor Castro Liu from the City of Richmond Hill delivered speeches highlighting the importance of transcending faith, race, and culture in building a harmonious society and achieving world peace.

Mr. Shaun Chen, Member of Parliament for Scarborough North, expressed his appreciation for the event, recognizing its role in bringing together people of various faiths to promote global peace. He also acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto in utilizing the proceeds from the Vegetarian Food Fair to support community charities and relief funds, assisting vulnerable communities in need.

Ms. Linda Tse, Director of Development at the Scarborough Health Network Foundation, and Mrs. Anita Mah, Senior Development Officer at the Markham Stouffville Hospital Foundation, expressed their gratitude for the donations received from FGS Toronto and BLIA members during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds were utilized to provide frontline healthcare workers at Markham Stouffville Hospital with improved protective equipment and to support the hospital's matching fundraising campaign.

The 2023 Vegetarian Food Fair, themed "Gratitude for Your Presence, Love of Fathers," included a special section for parents and children to bond together and a booth named "Bodhi Chan Garden" promoting gardening. Exciting performances, including a unique "Medley Song" dedicated to fathers, added to the festivities.

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