On May 25, 2025, the London Qingliang Buddhist Centre held its third annual Vesak Celebration, commemorating the birth of the Buddha. The event was graced b
y the presence of Shifu Hengyue from the UK Shaolin Xiu Cultural Centre, who attended along with disciples Hengxin, Hengcheng, Hengying, and Peter, at the invitation of Ven. Kuanguang, director of the Qingliang Buddhist Centre.
Nearly one hundred participants gathered for this auspicious occasion, including members of the overseas Chinese and Vietnamese-Chinese communities, as well as Western attendees. The event proceeded smoothly, thanks to the wholehearted support of nearly twenty dedicated volunteers.
The celebration was divided into two parts. At 10 a.m., Ven. Kuanguang led the Buddha Bathing Ceremony, guiding attendees to bathe the Buddha statue with sincere hearts—symbolising the cleansing of inner defilements and expressing reverence for the Buddha’s compassion and wisdom.
From 2 to 4 p.m., a vibrant cultural performance brought together artists from the Qingliang Choir, the UK Shaolin Xiu Cultural Centre, and the London Youlan Qin Society. Highlights included a guqin solo, Paulownia Water, and an erhu piece titled Fragrance Drifting Through the Clouds, both evoking the refined aesthetics of traditional Chinese music. A thrilling Shaolin kung fu demonstration by five martial artists captivated the audience with powerful strikes and awe-inspiring feats of hard qigong, vividly embodying the unity of Chan (Zen) and martial arts.
The Qingliang Choir enriched the program with sacred melodies, including Song of the Triple Gem, marked by solemn serenity, and a chanted rendition of the Heart Sutra, offering a moment of deep calm. Particularly moving were the performances of the Great Compassion Mantra and the White Tara Heart Mantra, blending Buddhist chanting with guqin accompaniment to highlight the profound beauty of Chinese spiritual culture.
Throughout the day, over ten varieties of complimentary vegetarian food—lovingly prepared by volunteers—were offered, allowing guests to share in the joy of Dharma both spiritually and gastronomically.
Venerable Kuanguang expressed his heartfelt aspiration:
“Through the Qingliang Buddhist Centre, we hope to introduce Chinese Mahayana Buddhism to the West and enable more Western friends to experience the profound heritage of Chinese culture.”
This year’s celebration not only honoured the traditional observance of the Buddha’s birth but also brought Buddhist values to life through diverse artistic expressions. It served as a cultural bridge, deepening Western appreciation for Chinese heritage and promoting mutual understanding between East and West. True to the meaning of its name—Qingliang, or “pure and serene”—the London Qingliang Buddhist Centre is establishing a peaceful spiritual sanctuary amidst urban life, allowing the light of Chinese Buddhism to shine anew. | 