Mid-Autumn Celebration at International Buddhist College (IBC)

Reported by: Samiksha Meshram
The Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is one of the most cherished cultural celebrations across East and Southeast Asia. Observed on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the festival symbolizes reunion, gratitude, and the harvest season - bringing families and communities together to admire the full moon and enjoy traditional mooncakes.

This year, on 6th October 2025, the International Buddhist College (IBC) held a vibrant and meaningful celebration of the Mooncake Festival, fostering a deep sense of community spirit and intercultural appreciation among students, faculty and staff. The event commenced at 7:00 p.m. in the main lobby of IBC.

The evening began with a chanting ceremony. Representatives from the three Buddhist traditions - Theravāda, Mahāyāna, and Vajrayāna - offered their respective chants in Pāli, Chinese, and Tibetan. The Theravāda chanting was led by Venerable Dipananda, the Mahāyāna chanting by Venerable Dr. Zhen Ti, accompanied by Venerable Qi Feng, and the Vajrayāna chanting by Venerable Khenpo Rangdrol. This harmonious beginning beautifully reflected the unity of the global Buddhist community represented at IBC.

Following the chantings, Venerable Khenpo Rangdrol offered an insightful Dharma sharing session, speaking on the profound significance of the Three Jewels - the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha. The program continued with a video presentation introducing the meaning and historical significance of the Mooncake Festival. Through vivid visuals and narration, participants learned about the cultural traditions, folklore, and symbolism associated with this important East Asian celebration.

One of the most enchanting moments of the evening was the lantern-lighting ceremony. As colourful lanterns illuminated the night sky, participants gathered to admire their gentle glow, creating a serene and joyful atmosphere. The beauty of this moment was captured in a group photo, symbolizing unity, happiness, and shared celebration within the IBC community.

After the lantern procession, everyone reconvened in the hall for an entertainment session. The performances began with a Taichiquan demonstration by friends from Penang, Malaysia, led by Sister Lyn Foong, gracefully showcasing balance and harmony. This was followed by a heartfelt sign-language performance of the famous song Yuè Liàng Yuán 月亮圆 (“The Moon is Round”). Subsequently, Professor Tilak Kariyawasam sang two Sinhala songs, and Dr. Zhu delighted the audience with songs in Chinese and English. The evening was filled with laughter, applause, and warm appreciation.

The celebration also featured a quiz session, where students and staff enthusiastically participated and won small prizes, adding a spirit of fun and engagement to the night. The memorable evening concluded with a dedication of merit, led by Venerable Dipananda, expressing gratitude and extending well-wishes for peace and harmony among all beings.
Overall, the Mooncake Festival celebration at IBC was a joyous and spiritually uplifting event, successfully blending cultural appreciation, community bonding, and shared joy under the full moon. Last but not least, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to the International Buddhist College and to everyone who contributed to the success of this event. Thank you.