TORONTO, May 27, 2026 – Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto and the Buddha’s Light International Association Toronto Chapter held a media briefing on May 27 to introduce the “2026 Interfaith Prayer Service and Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair,” scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2026. This year’s event, themed “Harmony and Coexistence,” will include an interfaith prayer service, an Asian vegetarian food fair, family activities, stage performances, wellness activities and spiritual care workshops. For Chinese families, seniors, newcomers and residents without access to a car in the Greater Toronto Area, the event offers a public space for interfaith exchange, community participation and family outings. Since the event will be held in Mississauga, participants are advised to confirm shuttle registration, event times, return arrangements and contact information for family members travelling together.
At the media briefing, Venerable Zhi Guan of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, Buddha’s Light International Association Toronto Chapter President Kevin Cao, Vice President Rachel Fan and Vice President Bernard Teoh spoke about this year’s theme, interfaith prayer arrangements, food fair programming, vegetarian food culture, family activities and transportation services. A variety of Asian vegetarian dishes were also displayed at the event. Organizers said they hope to bring residents of different ethnic and faith backgrounds into the same public space through religious exchange, cultural interaction and environmentally conscious vegetarian living.
According to the organizers, the interfaith prayer service will begin at 10 a.m. on June 14, followed by the opening of the Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair at noon. The event will take place at Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, located at 6525 Millcreek Drive in Mississauga. Representatives from Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, the Baháʼí faith and other religious traditions are expected to take part in the peace prayer ceremony. The ceremony will include the ringing of the Peace Bell, interfaith blessings and prayers for peace, mutual respect and social harmony.
The event is not limited to a single religious ceremony. For immigrant communities, religious institutions often also serve as spaces for language support, seniors’ social connection, cultural preservation, family support and community assistance. The participation of different faith representatives in a shared prayer service highlights interfaith dialogue in Canada and gives newcomer families another way to engage with local public cultural activities.
The fair will feature more than 30 booths offering more than 100 varieties of Asian vegetarian dishes, desserts and beverages inspired by Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Indian, Hong Kong-style and other Asian culinary traditions. Organizers will also provide family activity areas, inflatable attractions, face painting, DIY crafts, community education booths and multicultural stage performances. Entertainment will include the Fo Guang Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, youth music and dance performances, children’s talent showcases and senior cultural presentations.
The event will also include wellness and spiritual care activities designed to help participants relax and reconnect. Temple tours will be available throughout the day, including visits to the Main Shrine, Buddha’s Cultural Museum, Library, Bookstore and Lotus Tea House. Organizers said these activities are intended to offer residents a low-barrier community space for reflection, cultural learning and connection. Residents with ongoing mental health or medical needs should still seek professional medical or community services.
For transportation, organizers said complimentary shuttle service will be available from several boarding locations, including Chinatown Centre at 222 Spadina Avenue in Toronto, Alton Towers Circle near Steeles Avenue and McCowan Road, Finch Subway Station passenger pickup, and Markham Buddha’s Light Centre at 230 Denison Street. Residents who need shuttle service can call 905-814-0465 to register or ask questions. Seniors, families with children and people with mobility needs should confirm pick-up times, return arrangements, rest areas at the venue and contact information for those travelling with them.
Organizers said the Buddha’s Light Vegetarian Food Fair has been held for more than 25 years and attracted more than 1,500 attendees last year. As the event continues to grow, residents are also advised to pay attention to crowd levels, parking, food payment methods, child supervision and weather conditions. Families or groups attending together should agree on a meeting point in advance in case they become separated on site.
The event is organized by Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto and the Buddha’s Light International Association Toronto Chapter. For more information, residents can call 905-814-0465 or email info@fgs.ca. Residents planning to attend should confirm transportation registration and event arrangements in advance, especially those travelling with seniors, children or using the shuttle service.
LJI by Yuanyuan
