CELEBRATING PEACE, UNITY AND HARMONY
Buddhists pay homage to Buddha by offering prayers and donating to the needy
WESAK Day was celebrated by Buddhists yesterday in peace and harmony. Buddhists visited temples early in the morning to perform rituals and to pay homage to Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.
It was a modest yet lively occasion when 3,000 devotees gathered at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields here to light candles and offer flowers to symbolise the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
Devotees also donated packets of rice, bottled drinks and canned food to temples.
Tham Swe Loong, 68, said the Wesak Day celebration was not only to observe religious rituals but also to help the needy.
“It is a day to help the poor, so we brought food supplies for those in need.
“We are lucky to celebrate Wesak Day in harmony. It shows that we are living in a peaceful country,” he said at the temple here yesterday.
The celebration attracted Australian tourist Olivia Brown, 27, who expressed joy at witnessing the religious ceremony.
“It is fascinating to see a spiritual ceremony full of tradition and rituals. It portrays their (Buddhists) faith and beliefs.”
Members of welfare bodies and non-governmental organisations were at the temple to ensure devotees performed their prayers and rituals smoothly.
In Seremban, devotees converged on the prayer hall of the Negri Sembilan Malaysian Buddhist Association building in Jalan Tan Sri Manickvasagam here as early as 9am.
Around 300 devotees performed religious rituals that lasted until midday.
In Melaka, more than 3,000 devotees performed religious rituals and made offerings at the Seck Kia Ench Temple in Jalan Gajah Berang here in conjunction with Wesak Day.
Present was Chief Minister Adly Zahari, who mingled with the devotees and wished them a happy Wesak Day.
Shopping malls in the city were packed as people took advantage of the public holiday to shop for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
In Johor Baru, the overcast sky did not stop 40,000 Buddhists from gathering at the Fo Ghuang Shan Hsingma Si Bathing Temple in Skudai here.
The event, attended by state Tourism, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung, featured a Broadway dance performance by Guang Ming Institute of Performing Arts-Cebu from the Philippines.
In Sungai Petani, Kedah Chinese and Siamese Affairs, Science and Technology, Climate Change and Environmental Committee chairman Ooi Tze Min joined fellow Buddhists to celebrate Wesak Day at the Central Kedah Buddhist Association building here.
Ooi called on devotees to appreciate and practise the values taught by Buddha, such as peace and humanity.
In Kuala Langat, Buddhist families gathered to pray at the Fo Guan Shan Dong Zen Temple here.
Lee Mun, 45, said he visited the temple with his children so that they could learn about the teachings of Buddha and be better persons.
The temple, which houses the largest statue of Buddha in the country, is a tourist attraction, as well as an important cultural and educational centre for Buddhists.
In George Town, heavy rain did not deter Tang Kwang Seng, 45, a Grab driver, from fulfilling his religious obligations at the Penang Buddhist Association building in Jalan Burma here.
“Regardless of the weather condition, we came here to pray and fulfil our religious duty.”
In Pasir Puteh, Deputy Health Minister and Gopeng member of parliament Dr Lee Boon Chye joined devotees to perform religious rituals at the Perak Malaysian Buddhist Centre here.
He said Wesak Day symbolised harmony and unity, which were important in a multiracial and multireligious society.
“We need to be mindful of our words and manners.
“We must stay away from bad deeds to avoid misunderstanding among the races and cultures.”