Okanagan Multi-Faith Gathering

As a member of the Okanagan Multi-Faith Leadership team, I am excited about presentations planned for the spring of 2026, with upcoming offerings by the Pagan Community (March 14th), followed by presentations from the Baha’i community, UBCO Spiritual Care, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints later in the season.

While I was unable to attend the February visit to the Buddhist Temple, Maureen Detwiller provided a rich synopsis of the gathering on February 7th. This visit to the Buddhist Community was so timely, given so many of us have been following the Peace Walk of the Buddhist Monks across the United States that ended this week in Washington, DC.

“The Okanagan Multi-Faith Gathering, held at the Buddhist Temple on February 7 th which was very well attended by representatives of faith communities from across the Okanagan.

Rev. Naoki Hirano, resident Minister of the Kelowna Buddhist Temple, gave an engaging and informative talk. He began by sharing the history of the temple, a Japanese Buddhist temple founded in 1933 that has served as a spiritual home for Japanese immigrants who settled in the Kelowna region. The temple follows Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism in English), one of the largest schools of Buddhism.

For those who have ever wondered what Buddhism is about, Rev. Hirano’s talk provided clarity on its foundational teachings. He explained the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

The Four Noble Truths teach that life involves suffering — often understood as dissatisfaction or discontent — which arises from craving and attachment. The Noble Eightfold Path offers a practical guide to ending suffering and moving toward enlightenment.

As Rev. Hirano outlined Buddhist beliefs, it became evident that there are meaningful and practical overlaps with our Centre’s approach to personal transformation, consciousness, and the nature of reality. For example, both traditions teach that the mind is creative and directly influences experience, and both affirm that all life is interconnected. As is often the case in our multi-faith gatherings, the language may differ, but the underlying concepts are strikingly similar.”

Thank you, Maureen, for the wonderful reflection on the Buddhist visit!

At CSL Kelowna, our purpose is to transform lives and inspire people to make a positive difference in the world. Participating in the Okanagan Multi-Faith Community and supporting the compassionate outreach of our partner communities is one of the ways we live this purpose in real and practical ways—through cooperation, shared resources, and a collective commitment to care for our wider community.

If you would like to join us for upcoming offerings, contact Rev. Corinne at corinne_crockett@telus.net for details.

In Gratitude,

Corinne