Vesak in Malaysia
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Getting ready: Volunteer Sherice Por cleans the Thousand Arm
Kuan Yin also known as Chenrezig on the wall of the Losang
Dragpa Buddhist Society in Petaling Jaya.
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Buddhists all over the world celebrated Vesak yesterday by paying
respect to the Buddha on His birthday, for attainment of Enlightenment
and to commemorate His death.Buddhists in Malaysia pray in temples early
in the morning, attend chanting sessions, have vegetarian food as well
as take part in community service.
Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple Chief Monk Venerable Saranankara Nayaka
Maha Thera said devotees could also commemorate and honour the Buddha
not just by buying joss-sticks and flowers to be offered, but
understanding His teachings and most of all by putting it into practice.
"Every religion has a beautiful set of teachings, but we must all learn
to practice it and understand the philosophical side of it.
"You can visit a hundred temples on Vesak Day and it will not do you
any good if do not know the teachings of the Buddha," said Ven.
Saranankara Thera.
He added that one should practise Dana (the act of giving), Sila
(observing Buddhist precepts) and Bhavana (wisdom through meditation)
not only on Vesak, but make it an everyday ritual.
"People often misunderstand this concept.Dana does not only mean
feeding the monks, but also giving in terms of material, spiritual and
also donating anything from blood or even your organs," he said.
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Inspection time: Rev Kriangsak from the Thai Buddhist Chetawan
Temple in Petaling Jaya checks the wire cables in preparation
for Vesak Day. |
He said in Sri Lanka, cornea donation had become popular because
donors believe they would receive better vision in their next life.
This year, the 59-year-old resident monk will be participating in the
blood donation campaign together with fellow monks and devotees.
He said the practice had been introduced in 1986 and had become an
yearly affair at the temple for Vesak and Katina festival.Chief High
Priest of Malaysia Venerable Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera
said Vesak was a day when devotees should get involved in religious
activities instead of turning the day into a party.
"Unfortunately, when you visit the temple nowadays, it is like a
carnival," said Ven. Dhammaratana Thera referring to the street outside
the Buddhist Maha Vihara where he resides.He said it was nice to see
devotees of all ages coming to the temple, but he hoped more would spend
their time to understand the religion better, too.
"We should also refrain from talking bad about others or indulging in
negative activities and try to do good."As devotees one should at least
know their great master's basic teachings, if not all and try to
practice it," he said.
More than 30,000 devotees from all over Klang Valley were expected to
participate in the annual procession which was to begin at the
Brickfields Buddhist Maha Vihara in Jalan Berhala at 7pm yesterday,
passing through Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Raja Chulan,
Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu and back to Jalan Tun Sambanthan.
Today the Chempaka Buddhist Lodge is organising a procession at 6pm,
starting at the temple grounds.
-The star online
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