Wagga Sri Lankan Community Association and the Potowa Buddhist Group celebrated Vesak on Sunday.

"Buddha was born on this day, he attained enlightenment on the same date and he passed away on the same date again,' president Sampath Hathurusighe said.

"We are trying to educate our children about the importance of Buddhism and trying to keep the culture alive because some of them are struggling with the two cultures.

"The message was about peace and harmony, especially in light of the tragedy in Sri Lanka that saw hundreds killed."

Mr Hathurusighe said they had a meditation program from 9am to 4pm and afterwards celebrated with lanterns and a feast.

"We make the lanterns from bamboo and encourage the children to get creative," he said.

"It is a handicraft that we pass on to the children and we have a competition.

"I would like to thank Belinda Crain from the Multicultural Council and all the community members who came along and supported us.

"The message is about peace and harmony and the compassion that we extend to everybody."

Mr Hathurusighe said their religion is thousands of years old and the Buddhists in Wagga took the role of passing on their history and traditions seriously.