10/06/2026
🪔 Vesak Festival Celebration 2026
On 17th May, the Rotorua Sri Lankan community came together to celebrate Vesak in a truly memorable and meaningful way. Throughout the day, families, children, youth, and adults participated in a range of activities that reflected the teachings of the Buddha and the rich cultural traditions of Vesak.
We were honoured to welcome the venerable monks from the Waikato Compassion Meditation Centre (WCMC), Hamilton, whose presence greatly enriched the event. Their inspiring Dhamma discussions, guidance on meditation, and mindfulness teachings provided valuable insights and encouraged all participants to reflect on the importance of compassion, wisdom, and inner peace in their daily lives.
The event featured:
✨ Meditation and Dhamma discussions led by the visiting monks
✨ A Vesak Drama representing a story of Lord Buddha
✨Traditional Vesak lantern displays created by community members and children
✨ A special alms-giving (Dana) ceremony
✨ Opportunities for families and young people to learn about Vesak traditions and Buddhist values
The overwhelming participation from the Sri Lankan and wider community made this celebration exceptionally successful. It was heartwarming to see so many people volunteering their time, sharing their talents, supporting one another, and working together to create such a beautiful event.
We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the valuable event:
🙏 The venerable monks from WCMC Hamilton for their guidance and blessings
🙏 Our dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes before, during, and after the event
🙏 Parents and children who created the stunning lantern displays
🙏 The organising committee members whose commitment and hard work made the event possible
A special thank you to Rotorua Trust for their generous funding support, which helped make this community event possible.
May the blessings of Vesak bring peace, happiness, good health, and prosperity to everyone🪔
