Kuala lumpur: In a spirit of peace and gratitude, Wesak Day was celebrated across the country today, reflecting the strong unity of Malaysia's multi-racial and multi-religious society.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in Perak, Ipoh's Wat Sribunya Manggarama chairman Datuk Ching Thoo anticipates that more than 5,000 devotees will visit the temple in conjunction with Wesak Day celebrations. He noted that the celebrations, coinciding with a weekend, provide a timely opportunity for devotees to attend religious ceremonies and activities organized at the temple. Datuk Ching highlighted that devotees from Ipoh and Tambun are among the largest groups visiting the temple to perform religious rites and commemorate important events in the life of Buddhism's founder, Gautama Buddha. Wesak Day is observed to commemorate three significant events in the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and passing.
In Sarawak, around 3,000 Buddhists gathered at the Sarawak Buddhist Association temple in Kuching for a prayer ceremony, also attended by Deputy Premier and Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian.
In Penang, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow remarked that Wesak Day transcends a religious celebration, carrying a universal message of compassion, wisdom, moderation, and harmony in society. A Bernama check observed that the celebrations were carried out in a simple yet lively atmosphere, with thousands of Buddhists visiting major temples to participate in various religious ceremonies. Notable locations included Wat Chaiya Mangalaram in Lorong Burma, Wat Buppharam in Jalan Perak, and Kek Lok Si in Air Itam, which began receiving devotees as early as 8 am.
In Perlis, the Wesak Day celebrations in Kangar, organized by the Perlis Buddhist Society, began early with about 800 devotees attending by mid-morning. Dr Tan Chan Sin, the society's president, mentioned that attendance is expected to increase throughout the day. The celebrations also offered vegetarian meals for visitors, aiming to enhance community harmony.
In Pahang, Pahang Buddhist Society secretary Wong Sien Biang estimated about 6,000 Buddhists, including many tourists, attended the celebrations at Indera Mahkota 8. Among the key ceremonies were devotional chanting and the Bathing the Little Buddha ceremony.
In Kelantan, Wesak Day at Wat Machimaram, Tumpat, saw nearly 1,000 Buddhists and Siamese participating. KC Ngiam Eh Kuan, chairman of the Kelantan State Siamese Women's Association, noted the strong annual support and the eager anticipation of the Siamese community in Kelantan for Wesak Day.
In Selangor, a Bernama check at the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat found thousands of devotees engaged in spiritual and cultural activities for Wesak Day. Hiu Li Wei expressed excitement about participating in the bathing ceremony of the baby Buddha statue, symbolizing self-purification. Tam Choi Man, 40, shared that the flower-decorated temple offered a deep spiritual experience through meditation and sutra recitations.