Diversitas closed its 2017 season in Morden Wednesday, inviting resident monk of the Manitoba Buddhist Vihara and Cultural Association the venerable

Mattumagla Chandanada Thero, who discussed the fundamentals of Buddhism.

Buddhism is a practice following the teachings of the sage Buddha. Buddha taught four Nobel Truths.

1. The truth of Dukkha; life is struggle and pain, one cannot find ultimate happiness or satisfaction in anything we experience.

2. The cause of Dukkha is craving, blaming one's own difficulties on external elements with the root of suffering found in one’s own mind.

3. The end of Dukkha comes with the end of craving, we cannot change what happens to ourselves, however, we can change how we react.

4. The path that leads from Dukkha, the path or methods that can be used to change oneself.

Chandanada spoke on these principles, that even with all the advances in civilization people still experience stress and anxiety. Chandanada says the path to lasting happiness is through spirituality.

"People pursue happiness, however, a real, lasting, fulfilling happiness is not found. If you can convince people spirituality is the way to a better understanding of yourself and others, if you can point this out, spiritual practice is the way to a lasting, fulfilling, happiness."

Peter Cantelon, creator of Diversitas, wanted to give people a greater understanding of Buddhism as it’s the fourth largest practiced faith, with around 500 million active believers.

"Understanding different faiths and belief systems is something I believe strongly," says Cantelon. "Understanding leads to tolerance, tolerance leads to peace. That’s one of our primary goals, peaceful dialogue, and respectful dialogue."

Since its formation in 2015, Cantelon has been pleased with the receptiveness of those who have come to Diversitas.

Diversitas 2018 begins with its first returning speaker Dr. Idris Elbakri, sharing the reality of life for Palestinians living in Israel.