05/25/2026
Dear friends, supporters and community leaders,
We are writing with full hearts to share an important milestone in our collective effort to establish Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada—and to express our sincere gratitude for the role each of you has played in this journey.
House of Commons Petition e‑6893, initiated by Visita Sirin Leelaratna, a Buddhist leader and authorized initiator of this national effort, has officially closed with thousands of verified signatures from Canadians across the country.
This is the only federally recognized public petition calling on the Government of Canada to designate May as Buddhist Heritage Month nationwide. Reaching this milestone was possible because of your encouragement, advocacy and belief in the importance of this recognition.
The petition was formally tabled in Parliament on May 8, 2026, through the generous sponsorship of Member of Parliament Jenna Sudds. Her support has helped bring nearly a decade of dedicated advocacy—rooted in the voices and lived experiences of more than 300,000 Buddhist Canadians—to the national stage.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also issued an official statement recognizing the occasion and encouraging Canadians to deepen their understanding of Buddhist traditions and values.
Momentum is also growing at other levels of government.
The capital city of Canada has officially proclaimed May 2026 as Buddhist Heritage Month, with the theme 'Building a Universal Sense of Belonging Together.' This message reflects the compassion, unity and shared purpose that have guided our efforts from the beginning.
We remain deeply grateful for your partnership, trust and commitment to this historic initiative.
MP Jenna Sudds and Visita Sirin Leelaratna marked a historic milestone for Buddhist Heritage Month in Canada with the presentation of a commemorative plaque, underscoring growing national recognition of the cultural, spiritual and social contributions of Buddhist Canadians.
Captured originally in Ottawa on May 11, 2026, and recreated here as an AI‑generated image based on the original photograph, the moment symbolizes both federal engagement and the community’s decade‑long advocacy.
The accompanying lotus‑and‑deer motif reflects the values of harmony, enlightenment and compassion that continue to guide this national movement.
This is the official YouTube channel affiliated with the Buddhist Heritage Month Committee: https://www.youtube.com/
We look forward to continuing this journey with you.
With gratitude,
Buddhist Heritage Month Committee
Buddhist Heritage Month is a celebration to recognize and respect the significant cultural, spiritual, and historical legacy of Buddhism. It shines a light on the life and teachings of the Buddha, the practice of Dharma—the pathway to enlightenment—and the dynamic Sangha community of practitione...
