TODAY marks a special day for Buddhists in the country as they celebrate and pay respect to the Lord Buddha on his birthday, his attainment of enlightenment as well as to commemorate his death.
Buddhist Chief High Priest of Malaysia Venerable K. Sri Dhammaratana said on this day devotees would come in the morning to chant, pray, have vegetarian food as well as do good for the day by donating blood, giving to charities or involving in community services.
Colourful: Sri Lankan monk Rev. Santhawansa fixing lightbulbs on a decoration to adorn the main entrance of the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, for the Wesak celebration.He said doing good and visiting the temple should not only be a one-day affair.
“Some Buddhists do not know much about the religion and only visit the temple on days like Wesak,
“They can come at any time to attend the programmes organised by Buddhist societies like the Sunday school and learn and understand how to practice Buddhism in a proper way,” said Dhammaratana.
The Wesak Day had also turned into a carnival-like atmosphere with the float procession receiving larger crowds each year.
Helping hand: A volunteer fixing the lightbulbs to light up the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields.“The procession gets everybody together in honouring Buddha for his teachings and recalling his good virtues and qualities as well as to give blessing to the people and country,” said Dhammaratana.
About 30,000 devotees from all over the Klang Valley will be joining in the 12km walk.
During the procession, the devotees sing hymms, chant or carry images of Buddha.
Thai Buddhist Chetawan temple resident monk Rev. Woon Kitisakh Panyatipo said in Thailand it was no different where float processions were popular, too.
For prosperity: Phra Eratchayo putting the final touches to a Money Tree at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya.“There are many Buddhists in Thailand and sometimes it is difficult to hold a big procession like the one we have in Kuala Lumpur. Each temple will have their own procession, where devotees will walk around the temple grounds,” said Woon.
He added that devotees should try their best to wear white as it signified purity for the special day.
“In Thailand, people visit the temple early in the morning and spend their time praying and practising the teachings of the Buddha.
“They also give donations, help cook and prepare food for monks and devotees and also offer robes to monks,” said Woon.
Tonight, the float procession will take place at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, at 7pm.
A total of 30 floats will be taking part in the procession starting at the temple in Jalan Berhala and going through Jalan Tun Sambathan, Jalan Petaling, Jalang Raja Chulan, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu and back to Jalan Tun Sambathan.
Devotees are advised to arrive early if they are taking part in the walk and also use public transport to get to the temple as parking in the area is limited.
