‘Wesak Day’ – May 25, 2013 Proclaimed by the Mayor of Toronto
Posted on April 19th, 2013

Buddhist Council of Canada

We are pleased to announce that
His Worship Rob Ford, the Mayor of Toronto,
has declared May 25th, 2013 as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Wesak DayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.

May Full Moon is celebrated around the world, and this is the first time that Wesak has been formally recognized at any level of government anywhere in Canada.
The Proclamation, made at the request of the Buddhist Council of Canada, notes, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999, Wesak Day provides an opportunity for Buddhists to promote the message of compassion, peace, goodwill and devotion to humanity.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

In his note to the Mayor, Prof. Suwanda H J Sugunasiri, President, of the Buddhist Council of Canada, has thanked him ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-for formally recognizing Buddhism as a living religion in the City of TorontoƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.
The proclamation will be posted on the City’s web page, most likely by the beginning of May: http://www.toronto.ca/proclamations/2013index.htm,
It was in May 1981 that Wesak was held in the City of Toronto, the first time anywhere in Canada, and possibly in North America. Despite the inclement weather, an estimated 1000 people thronged to the Nathan Philips Square, Toronto City Hall, to celebrate the event, the pouring rain considered a good omen as in the Buddhist tradition.

It is now time again for the Buddhists of the Greater Toronto Area to join hands to celebrate this formal recognition received 32 years later. The Buddhist Council of Canada respectfully invites the Sangha leaders, Lay leaders and other individuals to contact us to see how we could pool our resources to promote ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-compassion, peace, goodwill and devotion to humanityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚, as noted in the Proclamation.
We would also like to take this opportunity to invite the Community for our Annual event,
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WESAK 2013 at Queen’s Park Saturday, May 11, 2013

4.30 to 6.30.
the BuddhaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Birth, Enlightenment
and ParinibbƒÆ’-¾ƒ”š‚na ‘Final Demise’
Details in the forthcoming Press Release.
Objectives of the Council
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¢ To promote the Buddhadhamma according to the traditions of all the Schools of Buddhism.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¢ To promote co-operation among Buddhist Communities in Canada and elsewhere.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¢ To promote social harmony, economic prosperity, political stability and cultural vibrancy of Canada.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¢ To promote the personal and social well-being & happiness of all Canadians.
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¢ To contribute towards a multicultural Canada through the application of Buddhist Principles.
For more information, please visit our website, www.buddhistcouncil.ca.

CONTACT: Prof. Sugunasiri @ 416-487-2777 <suwanda.sugunasiri@utoronto.ca>;
Bryan Levman (Secretary) @ 416-923-9409.
May all beings be well and happy!
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