Rather, “We created this day for people to enjoy this sacred space and introduce more options to discover happiness.”
The festival even has adopted it own theme song. No surprise that it’s ‘Don’t Worry, be Happy.
Vancouver Island is home to an abundance of joyful experiences and the point of this festival was to remind people that it’s OK to find pleasure in the everyday.
I picked up a few tips from McGuire that day, but also got to enjoy a guided mediation, live music, archery (popular at Tibetan festivals), a variety of Zen-related vendors. One of the most special part of the day was getting to experience the temple and its calming setting, also home to one of the world’s 25 golden Buddha’s.
This huge Buddha statue was placed here, just as the others around the world, strategically in the belief it will help bring more positivity to the planet and wishes of happiness.
The Kathok Centre opened in 1993 and offers regular meditation and Buddhist teachings.
McGuire explains that the centre’s rinpoche – a person who is revered teacher -travels the world delivering messages of peace and happiness with his teachings, but is based at the centre in Coombs.
“The basis of Buddhist teachings is that you are in control of your emotions, and so you can make the decision to be happy or not,” says McQuire. If you choose that path, she says, there are some options to help you become happy.
Vancouver Island is Zen central
While heading to the Hapiness Festival on a BC ferry, I experienced a Zen moment I spied a pod of humpback whales during the hour and a half crossing out of West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay. I remembered than that I had started writing more than 15 years ago after being inspired by a pod of whales.
From that experience I later came to start Seekers Media, dedicated to bringing stories to people about experiences they might know about or would love to try for themselves.
More info:
Interested in learning more about the Kathok Centre? Like them Facebook to stay in the know on all things Zen, or become a member so you can get alerts about next Happy Festival or any of their many workshops that pass on positive teachings year- round. www.PeaceisWithin.ca
For more information on BC Ferries getaways to find out more about activities like surfing or storm watching and everything in between, check out www.BCFerries.com/vacations