Malaysia: Thousands celebrate Wesak

by Rizalman Hammim, Nurris Ishak and Minderjeet Kaur, New Straits Times, May 13, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Thousands of devotees thronged Buddhist temples nationwide yesterday to celebrate Wesak. Temples were lit with hundreds of candles, and the sound of bells could be heard miles away.

The smell of burning joss sticks also permeated the air as devotees knelt to pray and seek blessings. There was also a carnival-like atmosphere outside the temples, with many stalls selling flowers, religious trinkets and food.

The celebration commemorated the birth, enlightenment and death of Siddharta Gautama Buddha.

At the Kwan Inn Teng temple in Petaling Jaya, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting reminded Malaysians to be thankful that they live in a harmonious multiracial and multi-religious society. "We are very lucky to be living in a country which provides for the freedom of religion in its constitution," he said.

He also said Malaysians must help and accept each other regardless of race or religion to achieve Vision 2020.

In conjunction with the celebration, the temple also presented scholarships, study loans and donations, worth RM350,000, to deserving students and charitable bodies.

At the Taman Jaya Buddhist Temple in Petaling Jaya, the scene was similar with many devotees offering prayers and queuing to be blessed with holy water.

At the Buddha Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, the celebration started at dawn with devotees observing the "Atta Sila" (Eight Precepts).

This was followed by the hoisting of the Buddhist Flag by the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, C.D. Casie Chetty.

The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Respect Human Rights, Promote Mutual Understanding’.

According to Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society president Sarath Wickrama Surendre, they decided on this theme as, in the light of events over the past one year, "we realised that many Malaysians do not understand their basic human rights".

"The theme is also apt because Buddha taught that mankind should respect human rights," he added.

The temple also held a blood and organ donation drive, and its Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma Schools organised a colouring competition for children as well as staging a dance and drama performance by its students.

Meanwhile, at the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple in Jalan Kampar, Penang, the chief monk Venerable E. Indaratana Maha Thera led a special prayer ceremony for world peace, happiness and harmony.

He also said the Malaysian Buddhist Association was building 50 houses for tsunami victims in a village in Sri Lanka and donations would be channelled to Sri Lanka’s Amata Foundation.

During the prayers, a 10-metre-tall Buddha, which devotees took two weeks to complete, was unveiled and 2,550 bulbs were lit at the temple to signify the 2,550th Wesak anniversary.

A devotee, Sapna Malhotra from Puna, India, was excited at being able to celebrate the holy day in Penang for the first time.

The 18-year-old student said it was nice to see Buddhists of different races gather at the temple to offer prayers to Buddha.