Francis Wong
May 24, 2024

The 30th "2024 Buddha's Birthday and Multicultural Festival " was held over two consecutive days on 27 and 28 of April in Darling Harbour, Sydney's central business district. Upholding the mission of Fo Guang Shan to " Propagate the Dharma Through Culture," a special "Cultural Zone" was set up under the theme "Exploring the Footsteps of Buddha in the Garden of the Mind." Through elegant and rustic decorations, visitors were guided to participate and interact, further understanding that Buddha was human, not divine; Buddha was born, practiced, and attained enlightenment as a human being; Buddha's teachings are what people need—purifying, virtuous, and beautiful.

"Exploring the Footsteps of Buddha in the Garden of the Mind" traverses through the life of Buddha, making it easy for visitors to understand and become interested in the events of Buddha's life. Through creative games and interactive activities, the organizers invited visitors to visit six "Experience Stations" of Buddha's life. Completing all six stations earned them a Buddha's Birthday auspicious cord as a souvenir.

The journey begins with the birth of the lotus, guiding visitors into the "Joy of Birth" Lumbini Garden with seven lotus flowers. Buddha's birth brings light and hope, allowing sentient beings to understand the true meaning of life and happiness in life. Visitors can bathe the Buddha, offer flowers, light, and connect with Buddha. The "Four Sights" exhibit shows Prince Siddhartha experiencing the suffering of sickness, old age, and death, and seeing the dignified monk, inspiring him to renounce worldly life and seek eternal happiness.

"The Path of Practice" and "Buddha's Enlightenment" depict Prince Siddhartha's six years of asceticism and his enlightenment under the Bodhi tree, realizing the truths of "dependent origination" and "equality of all beings," awakening to the true meaning of life and becoming the Buddha of humanity. The organizers set up a "Buddha's Enlightenment Zone" where visitors can meditate under the Bodhi tree, experiencing inner peace, and eagerly taking photos as mementos.

"The First Turning of the Dharma Wheel" explains Buddha's teachings of the "Four Noble Truths" and the "Noble Eightfold Path." The organizers specially designed eight Dharma wheels originated from India. Visitors can spin the wheels freely, and if they stop at one of the right paths, they can learn its meaning and how to apply it in daily life through illustrated storyboards. By integrating games into education and engaging with Buddhist teachings, visitors gain insights. Completing all six station activities earns them a Buddhist multi-coloured auspicious cord, representing the wisdom, equality, compassion, peace, and purity of Buddha.

The organizers also arranged various cultural and artistic activities for visitors to participate in, including DIY art stations, painting three-dimensional Buddha feet, making lotus flowers with twist ties, stringing Buddhist beads, and experiencing tea meditation and Zen to understand traditional Chinese tea culture and find inner peace.

The "Cultural Zone" showcases the manners of Buddha's life and his teachings, proclaiming the true meaning of life, increasing happiness, peace, and joy, aiming to achieve the theme of the Buddha's Birthday Festival, "Coexistence and Coprosperity."

Clr. Barbara Ward, a councillor from Ku-ring-gai Council, was honoured to attend the Buddha's Birthday celebration in Darling Harbour. She pointed out that celebrating Buddha's birthday is also celebrating his wisdom; Buddha advocated peace, hoping to promote social harmony and world peace with Buddha's wisdom.