Buddhist Multicultural Festival

Buddhist candle lighting ceremony

On our race around the Sydney CBD, we briefly paused at the Buddhist Multicultural Festival during Saturday's Amazing Flickrace. However with a brief to photograph portrait examples of the seven deadly sins, we didn't photograph much here. Do you know how futile it is looking for examples of lust, gluttony and wrath amongst a gathering of Buddhists? =)

On my way home however, I couldn't resist heading back this way to have a look.



A performance stage played host to a number of different displays, and although the bagpipe players were an usual addition to the entertainment program, they were well-received by the enthusiastic audience.



The food stalls were my main attraction though, and I admit I was excited when I spotted these. Onigiri! I haven't seen these since my trip to Japan!


Onigiri with cooked salmon

They're a simple snack of salted rice mixed with a scattering of salmon and wrapped in a waistcoat of nori. They're usually sold by railway stations, are cheap as chips, and are a perfect choice for when you're feeling peckish (Atkins? Who's that?).

The finale? A traditional lion dance of course. No Asian Festival would be complete without one.



The Buddhist Multicultural Festival, celebrating Buddha's Birthday, Enlightenment & Passing Away is an annual event organised by the Buddhist Council of New South Wales.

The 2006 Festival was held on Saturday 20 May at First Fleet Park, Circular Quay (next to the Museum of Contemporary Art).