Buddhism is a journey towards a spiritualized life and being true to yourself. This religion calls for a person to give up their own selfish needs and take care of what is for the good of all. It involves learning, making wise decisions, and showing mercy toward others. There is no room for discrimination or prejudice. There are no exceptions to these followings – it is black and white. You either go all in or you aren’t really a Buddhist.

Being both humble and sincere in a person’s efforts is a large part of this faith. Working hard, helping others where you can, and not being arrogant about your own achievements all play a role. There has to be a balance. Such individuals strive for inner peace, ways to give back to the community, and they wish to set a strong example for others to follow.

History in Manitoba

The late 1940s and early 1950s were the starting points for Buddhists in Manitoba. They came from Japan and Canada to this area. The goal was to have a safe place where they could work, educate each other, and raise their families. A strong focus on community and giving to others was implemented. Teaching kindness and compassion is still at the core of Buddhism today.

The faith encourages learning for all individuals. Children are educated and there are some schools in Manitoba that are also focused on this religion They are private schools with a small number of students enrolled in them. The faith also encourages men and women to continue to learn throughout their lives. Not only about the world they live in, but to take a closer look internally at who they are.

Buddha

At the core of this religion is the Buddha. The meaning of Buddha is ‘the one who is awake”. He is considered a phenomenal being, but he isn’t viewed as a god in this religion. That is a common misconception people have about Buddhism. Being compassionate, wise, and meditational practices are encouraged to get closer to Buddha.

Meditation is widely practiced because it is believed to help open the mind to the truth. It calms the mind and gets it in sync with the body. It is a spiritual journey a person takes to live the best life possible. If they do this well on Earth, they will be rewarded in the afterlife.

Manitoba Buddhist Temple

The Manitoba Buddhis Temple established in 1946 offers a place for worship, education about the religion, and a chance to be part of a community with similar beliefs. Meditation is a big part of Buddhist services, and it is provided here several times each week. The Buddha Meditation Centre is another option with many services and resources offered. There are three main temples for Buddhist worship in Manitoba.

There are also numerous small communities consisting of Koreans and non-traditional Buddhists in this area. They often meet at community centres because they don’t have large enough numbers to fund a temple. They have enough differences from the traditional Buddhists that they don’t wish to join these established temples in Manitoba for their worship.