05/30/2026
Happy Vesak — Progress Update on Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada: Parliamentary Milestone of May 8, 2026 (Petition e‑6893) - Thank You
Dear Friends and Supporters,
On behalf of the Buddhist Heritage Month Committee, Vesak in Ottawa, and the Online Buddhist Vihara team, we are pleased to share an important update on the national progress of Buddhist Heritage Month (BHM) in Canada and a significant parliamentary milestone achieved through Petition e‑6893.
On May 8, 2026, Petition e‑6893 — calling for the designation of May as Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada — was formally tabled in the House of Commons by MP Jenna Sudds. This marks a historic step forward for Buddhist communities across the country. The petition received more than 3,100 verified Canadian signatures, reflecting over a decade of sustained community engagement, cultural advocacy and interfaith collaboration.
This milestone has been strengthened by expressions of support from the Prime Minister, several Premiers, the Mayors of Ottawa and Toronto, and Members of Parliament and senators from across party lines. This broad, nonpartisan support underscores the initiative's inclusive and unifying nature.
We are also honoured to acknowledge the blessings and recorded message of Most Venerable Heenbunne Kondañña Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara in New York City. Bhante Kondañña 's message, shared publicly in support, affirms the values of compassion, mindfulness and peaceful coexistence that guide this national effort. Watch Vesak message here
Canada's Buddhist community — representing more than 300,000 Canadians — has long sought formal national recognition of May as Buddhist Heritage Month. The tabling of Petition e‑6893 represents a meaningful and historic advancement in this federal recognition process.
Background
• Petition e‑6893 was initiated and led by Visita Sirin Leelaratna, following more than a decade of dedicated advocacy, cultural programming and interfaith engagement.
• The petition received broad cross-party support, including endorsements from national, provincial and municipal leaders.
• The official tabling of the petition in the House of Commons on May 8, 2026, marks the first formal parliamentary step toward national recognition. Watch the parliamentary record here
• A recorded blessing by Most Venerable Heenbunne Kondañña Thero for Vesak 2020 further emphasized the spiritual and cultural importance of this initiative.
Current Status
Petition e‑6893 has been formally tabled and entered into the parliamentary record.
• Buddhist Heritage Month 2026 has received increased national visibility, with commemorative events held in cities including Ottawa and Toronto.
• The Buddhist Heritage Month Committee led by Visita Sirin Leelaratna continues to engage federal, provincial and municipal partners to advance the next steps in the legislative process.
Key Considerations
Non-partisan initiative: This effort is community-driven and supported across all political lines.
• Cultural significance: Recognition would honour a 2,600-year-old heritage and the contributions of diverse Buddhist communities across Canada.
• Public engagement: Strong public support is demonstrated through more than 3,100 verified signatures and sustained community programming.
• Interfaith and international collaboration: Engagement with monastic leaders, including Most Venerable Heenbunne Kondañña Thero from New York, reflects the longstanding cross-border spiritual connections that enrich this initiative.
Petition e‑6893, calling for the official designation of May as Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada, was tabled in the House of Commons on May 8, 2026. The pet...
