Himalayan Buddhist Community in America Celebrates Buddha Purnima with Peace Rally and Teachings in New York
May 11, 2025, New York: Just a day before the sacred full moon of Buddha Purnima graced the skies, the Himalayan Buddhist Community of Nepal in America gathered in reverence and celebration at the United Sherpa Association’s monastery in Elmhurst, Queens. The event, rich in symbolism and devotion, honored the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, marking his birth, enlightenment, and Maha Parinirvana.
The monastery, adorned with butter lamps and fragrant incense, became a sanctuary of peace as venerable monks opened the day with prayers and sacred mantra chanting, their voices rising like the Himalayas—strong, serene, and filled with compassion. The chants were offered for the well-being of all sentient beings and the restoration of harmony in a world often shadowed by suffering.
From this spiritual epicenter, a peace rally emerged like a river of devotion, winding its way through the heart of Queens—from the monastery to Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, and back again. Hundreds of devotees—monks, lay practitioners, elders, and children—walked shoulder to shoulder, carrying fluttering Buddhist flags and placards inscribed with Buddha’s teachings: messages of compassion, mindfulness, and peace.
The sacred procession was not merely a march—it was a moving meditation. Along the route, monks in traditional ceremonial masks danced and chanted, their rhythmic steps echoing the timeless rituals of the Himalayas. Passersby paused, drawn by the sound of bells, drums, and the serene smiles of those walking not in protest, but in prayer.
As the sun softened into the afternoon, the community reconvened in the monastery for a gathering of wisdom. Two revered teachers illuminated the path: Venerable Visuddhavasma Bhikkhu spoke with serene clarity on the practice of mindfulness, urging the community to live with awakened hearts amid the distractions of the modern world. Venerable Khenpo Ngawang Sangay followed with a profound teaching on the Four Noble Truths and the essence of Buddhist meditation as preserved in the Tripiṭaka, guiding participants through a meditative experience rooted in ancient wisdom.
The event was brought to a heartfelt close by Mr. Hriday Tuladhar, President of the Himalayan Buddhist Community of Nepal in America, who offered words of gratitude and unity. The seamless coordination of the day’s events was led by Mr. Raj Kumar Bista, whose efforts brought together more than 17 Himalayan organizations under a shared banner of peace.
In a gesture of interfaith and intercultural solidarity, the President of the Bangladeshi Community, Mr. Nayan Baruwa, stood among the guests—reminding all that the teachings of the Buddha, though born in Nepal, belong to the whole world. As the evening sky folded itself into twilight, the monastery glowed softly—its walls echoing with prayers, its grounds alive with footsteps of devotion. Buddha Purnima in New York was more than a celebration; it was a living testament to the enduring relevance of the Dharma, carried gently across oceans and generations, now taking root in the heart of a diverse and modern world.
