World in Westminster celebrates spirituality in Tibetan culture with Wesak

Wesak, also known as Buddha Day and Buddha Purnima, is a significant event that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautam Buddha, and is a day of profound spiritual significance for Buddhists around the world. This year marked the second time the University of Westminster gathered to celebrate Wesak the Tibetan way, as part of the World in Westminster Festival, continuing a growing tradition that brings the Westminster community together in peace, reflection and cultural exchange.

The event was hosted at the University’s Cavendish Campus on 14 May and welcomed students, colleagues and guests from all faiths and backgrounds. The celebration opened with heartfelt remarks by student organisers Tenzin Kunga and Rajat Shah, setting a reflective tone for the afternoon.

Tenzin Kunga, Diplomacy and Global Politics MA alumnus, event Co-organiser and former President of the University of Westminster’s Students’ Union (UWSU) Tibet Society, said: “I feel honoured to be involved once again this year in helping celebrate Wesak at my university. The different components of the event kept the audience engaged, inspiring them to reflect on fundamental human values such as kindness and altruism. The energy in the room was palpable and transformational, fittingly resonating Lord Buddha’s message.”

An impactful talk and Tibetan chants were led by Venerable Thupten Konchok, a monastic volunteer at Jamyang Buddhist Centre and Chair of Faiths Together in Lambeth. His presence brought authenticity and depth to the event, as attendees learned about the significance of Wesak in Tibetan Buddhism.

This was followed by an insightful session by Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officer Rajat Shah, who explored the inner teachings of the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, shedding light on its spiritual meaning and the practice of using it to bless the Earth and all of humanity. As a meaningful takeaway, all attendees received a traditional Tibetan prayer flag, a symbol of peace, compassion and hope.

The celebration also included the Tibetan singing bowl meditation, a 25-minute guided sound healing session led by Kunchok Nyima, a former Tibetan Buddhist monk and Co-founder of Foothills of Tibet, a gift shop in Frome aiming to preserve the rich and diverse Tibetan culture. The session created a meditative atmosphere, allowing participants to find stillness and serenity amidst the busy university day.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Vice Chancellor and President of the University Professor Peter Bonfield and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Global Engagement and Employability Professor Dibyesh Anand, both of whom emphasised the University’s commitment to equity, inclusion and cross-cultural understanding.

EDI Officer Rajat Shah said: “Seeing people enjoy this festival brought me so much joy, especially witnessing students, colleagues and guests come together in chanting and experiencing the power of beautiful spiritual practices. I was truly happy to lead a meditation session to bless the Earth and humanity with peace, which is something our world needs now more than ever.”

The Wesak celebration forms part of the broader World in Westminster Festival, a programme supported by the Quintin Hogg Trust-funded EDI project named Westminster for All – Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Now in its third year, the festival has successfully celebrated global traditions such as Diwali, Lunar New Year, Yalda Night, Ramadan, Passover and Nowruz, building bridges across cultures and fostering a sense of belonging.

Dr Vina Kukadia, former Research Development Manager at the University of Surrey, added: “I was delighted to witness the diversity of people who attended this very heart-warming event. The chanting followed by the Tibetan singing bowl meditation allowed me to gain a profound state of peace and tranquillity, a state that we all need in our current stressful world. Thank you so much Rajat and the University of Westminster for inviting me to attend this wonderful event.”

Bringing the community together at events such as this directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3: Good Health and Wellbeing, 4: Quality Education and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find out more about upcoming Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events at the University of Westminster.