KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Buddhists are today celebrating Wesak, a vibrant festival commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.
Celebrants nationwide began the day at dawn by visiting temples and performing religious rituals in tribute to the founder of Buddhism, Bernama reported.
In BRICKFIELDS, here, thousands of devotees thronged the famous Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple to join in religious ceremonies, including the lighting of candles and joss sticks, and the chanting of sutras.
In JOHOR BARU, 40,000 Buddhists gathered at the Fo Ghuang Shan Hsingma Si Bathing Temple in Skudai, starting at dawn, to perform a number of religious rituals.
The ceremony, which was attended by state Tourism, Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung, also featured a Broadway dance performance by the Guang Ming Institute of Performing Arts-Cebu from the Philippines.
In NEGRI SEMBILAN, devotees converged at the prayer hall of the Malaysian Buddhist Association of Negri Sembilan, where mass rituals and prayers are expected to last until the afternoon.
In MELAKA, the Seck Kia Ench Temple at Jalan Gajah Berang drew more than 3,000 devotees who performed rituals and made offerings in conjunction with the celebration.
Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari was present to wish Buddhists a happy Wesak Day as he mingled with temple-goers.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Buddhist temples were packed with devotees bearing flowers and basic necessities such as rice, bottled drinks, and canned food to be donated to the temple.
Visitor Tham Swe Loong, 68, said Wesak Day is not just an occasion to celebrate, but is also a religious observation when devotees help those in need.
“Wesak is a day to help the poor, and (I) brought food supplies for donation to (the underprivileged),” he said at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple here, today.
The celebration here also attracted Australian tourist Olivia Brown, 27, who wanted to experience the joy of the religious ceremony.
“It is fascinating to witness such a spiritual ceremony, full of tradition and rituals which show (the Buddhists’) faith and belief,” she said.
In KEDAH, state Chinese and Siamese Affairs, Science and Technology, Climate Change and Environmental Committee chairman Ooi Tze Min joined fellow Buddhists at the Central Kedah Buddhist Association in Sungai Petani.
Ooi reminded devotees to appreciate the values of Buddhism, such as peace, humanity and living in harmony.
In SELANGOR, large numbers of devotees thronged the Fo Guan Shan (FGS) Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Banting.
One of them, Lee Mun, 45, said the visit has been a family tradition for generations.
The temple, which houses the largest Buddha statue in the country, is also a tourist attraction as well as an important cultural and educational centre for Buddhists.
In PENANG, heavy rain did not dampen the spirit of celebrants, including Tang Kwang Seng, 45, who performed prayers at the Penang Buddhist Association at Jalan Burma.
“Regardless of the weather, we will always come to pray, to fulfill our obligations,” he said.
In PERAK, Deputy Health Minister and Gopeng MP Dr Lee Boon Chye joined other devotees in performing rituals at the Malaysian Buddhist Centre Perak branch in Pasir Puteh.
He told reporters later that Wesak Day symbolises the harmony and unity that exists in Malaysia’s multiracial, multi-religious society.