The Nepalese community in Edmonton, Canada observed 2562^nd Buddha Jayanti amidst a special culture event at Lansdowne Community Hall on April 29, 2018.  The cultural event was organized by Newa Cultural Society of Alberta (NCSA), a local organization to practice, promote and preserve Newa culture and traditions in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The cultural event was jointly inaugurated by venerable Bhante Nanda, from Samatha Vipassana Meditation Centre, Edmonton; and Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA; by lighting Twadewas, traditional Nepali artistic oil lamps.

In the cultural event, Dr. Hemanta Joshi, President of NCSA, honored venerable Bhante Nanda offering Khata and souvenir.  In his welcome speech, Dr. Joshi highlighted on the importance of observing Buddha Jayanti in the community annually.  According to Dr. Joshi, Buddha’s teachings and principles are important in relieving human sufferings and maintaining peace in the world.

In the cultural event, venerable Bhante Nanda offered prayers to Lord Buddha.  He gave a speech about Buddha’s life, teachings and path to liberation.  According to him, Buddha showed us the path to liberation from sufferings.  According to Bhante Nanda, Buddha was not an ordinary person but was a superhuman.  He came to world to reveal the truth through nature of existence.  In the cultural event, Bhante Nanda conducted a meditation session to the participants.  Mr. Ram Krishna Sharma, President of Nepalese Canadian Society of Edmonton (NECASE) and Mr. Rabindra Shrestha, member of NCSA, also highlighted on the importance of Buddha’s teachings.

In the cultural event, Dharma Dan (a ritual of offering); and Bhojan Dan (a ritual of offering food to the monks) were offered to venerable Bhante Nanda.  At the end of the cultural event, participants were entertained with spiritual songs, Gyanmala Bhajan and cultural quizzes related to Buddha.