KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Some 2,500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini – located in present-day Nepal – and is said to have later become the Buddha or...
! Plus, enjoy an additional FREE RM10 when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with a min. cash-in of RM100 today. T&Cs apply. KUALA LUMPUR, May 31 — Some 2,500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in Lumbini – located in present-day Nepal – and is said to have later become the Buddha or “the enlightened one” while seated under a Bodhi tree.
Buddhists in different parts of the world commemorate the day on different dates between May and June. Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, and is regarded by Buddhists as a major holy day. — Picture by Farhan NajibIn contrast, Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand is commemorating the occasion today.
K. Don Premaseri, the vice-president of Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society that manages the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, said Wesak celebrations are determined by the traditions followed by respective countries. Don said the southern Buddhist tradition observes Wesak Day on the first full moon day in the month of Wesak while the northern Buddhist tradition would do so on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month.
Southern Buddhist traditions are practised in countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar while countries like China, Taiwan and Korea follow the northern Buddhist traditions.
“The full moon days will change because the lunar cycle differs from the Gregorian calendar that has 365 days in 12 months. “Due to the different traditions and lunar calculations, Wesak Day may be observed on different days between countries,” Don toldDon said Wesak Day is also referred to as Waisak, Buddha Purnima, Buddha Jayanthi or Buddha Day in some countries.
However, he stressed that all the traditions ultimately commemorate the Wesak in the same spirit by embracing the Buddha as their teacher, his teachings as their guide and the monasticDevotees line up to offer prayers during Wesak Day celebrations at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple in Petaling Jaya. — Picture by Sayuti ZainudinLike most Buddhists around the world, devotees in Malaysia typically wear white and observe the Eight Precepts – a stricter version of the Five Precepts – as a form of spiritual discipline on Wesak Day.
The Five Precepts include abstaining from five habits: killing living beings, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying and becoming intoxicated. The Eight Precepts contain an additional three guidelines, which are to refrain from eating after midday, from dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows as well as from the use of perfumes and cosmetics.
The Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields hosts one of the biggest Wesak celebrations in Malaysia annually.on the eve of Wesak Day, during which certain fruit juices or medicinal drinks will be offered to the Buddha.because Theravada Buddhist monks are allowed to have proper meals from sunrise to noon but from noon onwards, they can only consume theOn Wesak Day, devotees light lotus candles, with the flower widely associated in Buddhism with purity, spiritual awakening and enlightenment. — Picture by Raymond ManuelThe Buddhist flag will be hoisted at 7am, followed by the singing of Buddhist hymns, distribution of free food to the public and several religious programmes.
A grand float procession featuring colourful floats depicting the Buddha and his teachings as well as devotees carrying lotus candles will begin at 7pm. The procession will move through several key streets in the city before heading back to the Buddhist Maha Vihara by 11pm. A similar procession is also expected to take over the streets of Penang on May 31, featuring more than 20 colourful floats.
In South Korea, Wesak Day celebrations include the Lotus Lantern Festival or theGanggangsullaeIn China, home of to one of the world’s largest Buddhist populations, adherents conduct a bathing ritual by pouring fragrant water over a statue of an infant Buddha. The act symbolises cleansing one’s mind and body and is also performed in some Buddhist temples in Malaysia. A devotee performs the infant Buddha bathing ritual during Wesak Day celebrations at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple, Petaling Jaya.
— Picture by Sayuti Zainudin) from various countries undertake the thudong ritual by walking hundreds of kilometres to the world’s largest Buddhist temple, the Borobudur in Indonesia. – and eat only once a day. Upon reaching the Borobudur, they climb to the upper levels and circle the temple three times clockwise in an act called
Buddha Buddhist Maha Vihara Lumbini Thailand Bodhi Tree
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Starchild: Why are Malaysian kids fascinated by travelling around the world?TAIPEI, May 29 (Reuters) - Taiwan chip designer MediaTek said on Friday it supports both TSMC's and Intel's advanced packaging technologies, allowing customers to choose between the two approaches.
Read more »
Free Ferry Services in Penang for Wesak Day and Agong's BirthdayThe Penang Port Commission (SPPP) has announced free ferry services for Malaysians on two days in conjunction with Wesak Day and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's official birthday celebrations. The free fares cover return trips between the Sultan Abdul Halim Terminal and the Raja Tun Uda Terminal in George Town. SPPP chairman Datuk Yeoh Soon Hin stated that the initiative aims to facilitate travel during festive periods, ease traffic congestion, and encourage the use of sustainable public transport. Statistics from last year's Wesak Day showed significant usage of the ferry service, and the hope is that the free offer will alleviate financial burdens and allow people to celebrate more meaningfully. SPPP and Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB) are committed to ensuring smooth operations with a focus on comfort, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Read more »
Unity minister calls for wiser digital culture in Wesak Day messageKUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang has called on Malaysians to uphold human values, strengthen unity and progress towards a more ethical,...
Read more »
No firecrackers, drones during Wesak Day celebration, warn Penang copsSome experiences are so surreal that they strike you like biting into a cardamom pod in a kesari.
Read more »