White House Holds Vesak Celebration; BCA Participates

The fifth annual Vesak lamp lighting ceremony at the White House was held on June 11, bringing together diverse traditions of Buddhist leaders, monastics and representatives — including BCA Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada.

Rev. Harada, who attended the first Vesak at the White House in 2021, was joined by other Jodo Shinshu Buddhist representatives, including Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara, program director of the Jodo Shinshu International Office (JSIO) and Supervising Minister of the Berkeley Buddhist Temple and the Buddhist Temple of Marin, and Bishop Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani of the Hompa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii (HHMH). 

This year’s ceremony also brought ambassadors and dignitaries from South and Southeast Asia. The event was held at the Eisenhower Executive Building in the White House and was attended by about 40 people.

Vesak honors the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing. Celebrated by Buddhists throughout the world for more than 2,500 years, Vesak was formally recognized by the United Nations in 1999 as an international day of significance.

This year’s White House Vesak ceremony was organized by Wangmo Dixey, President of the International Buddhist Association of America (IBAA) and the Executive Director of Dharma College in Berkeley, California, in cooperation with the White House Faith Office, particularly Pastor Paula White-Cain.

“The lighting of Vesak lamps at the White House symbolizes the universal aspiration for wisdom, compassion and peace,” Dixey said. “We are deeply grateful to President Donald J. Trump and his Administration for recognizing the contributions of the Buddhist community and for supporting the rich tapestry of religious traditions that strengthen our nation. This gathering reflects the best of America — a place where people of many faiths can come together in mutual respect, friendship and shared commitment to the well-being of all.”

In her speech before the lamp lighting, Dixey noted the significance of this year’s Vesak event.

“This year is especially meaningful as our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States of America,” Dixey said. “It is fitting that we gather in this historic place, representing many cultures, traditions and faiths, united by our shared aspirations for peace, understanding and a better future for all. We are supported by the enduring American ideals of religious freedom and mutual respect — values that have allowed diverse spiritual traditions to flourish and contribute to the richness of our nation.”

She said the delegation represented Buddhist communities across the United States with roots in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Taiwan, Tibet, South Korea and Vietnam.

“Our presence here reflects both the rich diversity of the global Buddhist community and the spirit of harmony that has flourished in America,” she said. “Though our traditions may differ in form and expression, we are united in our shared commitment to wisdom, compassion and the welfare of all beings. Together, we demonstrate that unity does not require uniformity and that our diversity can be a source of strength, understanding and mutual respect.”

Dixey said Buddhism is practiced by hundreds of millions of people throughout the world. In the United States, she said, there are nearly 4,000 Buddhist temples, monasteries, meditation centers and practice communities that serve people from all walks of life, and the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions have all flourished here. Jodo Shinshu Buddhism is part of the Mahayana tradition.

“Perhaps this message is more important today than ever before,” Dixey said. “In a world that can often feel divided, our gathering reminds us that unity does not require uniformity. We may come from different cultures, backgrounds and religious traditions, yet we can meet one another with respect, friendship and a commitment to the common good.

“This spirit extends beyond Buddhism,” she continued. “Today, we stand alongside our Christian brothers and sisters and people of many faith traditions. While our paths may differ, we share common values, compassion, service, generosity, integrity and care for others. In many ways, this gathering reflects the very best of America — a nation where people of different beliefs come together in freedom, mutual respect and shared purpose.

“So how do we celebrate Vesak today?” Dixey said. “Not simply by remembering events that took place more than 2,600 years ago, but by bringing the Buddha’s teachings into our lives today. 

“By choosing understanding over division. By caring for those who suffer. By treating one another with dignity and respect. And by recognizing that each of us has the capacity to be a source of light, hope and compassion in the lives of others,” she said.

Rev. Harada said it “was an honor to be one of the representatives of Mahayana Buddhism at the Vesak ceremony held in Washington, D.C., this past June. We hope to bring awareness to this country of our Buddhist tradition and to share our teachings of wisdom and compassion with all.

“As we saw in the tremendous response that the monks who walked from Texas to Washington, D.C., received this past year, people in this country are receptive to Buddhism as they showed in their support and participation in that peace march,” he continued. “The Vesak ceremony helps to ‘put us on the map’ so to speak, in this country.”