How Wesak Day became a public holiday in Malaysia and why it's sacred to Buddhists: Questions you might have, answered here
KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — Thousands of Buddhist devotees are expected to gather at the historic Maha Vihara in Brickfields here as the temple marks not just Wesak Day sacred to Buddhists but also its 130th celebration today.
Founded in 1894 by the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, the Maha Vihara Temple first marked Wesak Day in 1895 after the arrival of two Sri Lankan Buddhist monks.
Wesak Day, observed on the full moon of the lunar month of May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha.
Malaysia's Chief High Priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana said all three events occurred on the same date in different years, making Wesak Day the most sacred day for Buddhists.
'In 1961, the Buddhist community decided to appeal to the Malaysian government to declare Wesak Day as a public holiday and it was officially declared as a public holiday in 1962.
'Buddhist communities from around the world, such as Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and recently, we also have Buddhists from Bangladesh, coming to commemorate the great master,' he told Malay Mail in an interview last week.
Malaysia's Buddhist Chief High Priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana. — Picture by Choo Choy May
On Wesak Day, Buddhist devotees typically wear white and observe the Eight Precepts — a stricter version of the Five Precepts — as a form of spiritual discipline.
The Five Precepts are to:
Abstain from killing living beings.
Abstain from stealing.
Abstain from sexual misconduct.
Abstain from lying.
Abstain from becoming intoxicated.
The Eight Precepts contain an additional three guidelines, which are:
Refrain from eating after midday: This practice is to promote simplicity and detachment from material desires.
Refrain from dancing, singing, music, and unseemly shows: This is to discourage frivolous activities that distract from mindfulness.
Refrain from perfumes and cosmetics: This is to encourage a simple and unpretentious lifestyle.
The Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. — File picture by Hari Anggara
How Maha Vihara is celebrating its 130th Wesak
Celebrations at the Maha Vihara today begin with the raising of the Buddhist flag, followed by prayers, hymns, and lighting of lotus-shaped oil lamps.
Devotees then queue to receive blessings and a sacred string from Dhammaratana.wesak
The temple also hosts meditation sessions, religious talks, and a blood and organ donation drive that started yesterday – on the eve and day of Wesak.
Buddhist devotees during the Wesak Day celebration at Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on May 4, 2023. — Picture by Firdaus Latif
Offering alms to monks is also part of the celebration, which Dhammaratana said helps devotees let go of desire and move toward spiritual happiness.
'This year, a church in our neighbourhood will also be coming forward to offer food to the monks and distribute food to devotees coming here on Wesak Day,' he said.
A grand float procession will take place on May 12, starting from the temple and moving through several key streets in Kuala Lumpur.
The route covers:
Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad
Jalan Tun Sambanthan
Jalan Petaling
Jalan Yap Ah Loy
Jalan Hang Lekiu
Jalan Gereja
Jalan Raja Chulan
Jalan P. Ramlee
and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock
This year, the procession will skip Jalan Bukit Bintang due to a new one-way traffic system.
Between 20 to 25 colourful floats featuring Buddha's life and teachings will participate in the 12-kilometre procession, which begins at 6pm and is expected to last four hours.
Dhammaratana said the event usually attracts between 30,000 to 50,000 spectators annually.
Devotees blessed by Buddhist monks on the floats during the Wesak Day procession at the Maha Virana Buddhist Temple on Jalan Berhala, Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin
'While Wesak Day is a religious day and not a merrymaking celebration, the procession draws young people closer to Buddhism, making way for them to build up on the devotional part.'
'During the annual procession, road users are very understanding, patient and tolerant to accommodate for our celebration.'
'It is a very unique thing to Malaysia, because we have a multicultural and multi-religious society here that can work as one family,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sze Fei-Izzuddin survive early scare in Indonesia Open
World No 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani took an hour to see off their Taiwanese rivals in the opening round of the Indonesia Open. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : World No 1 men's doubles pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani overcame an early scare to defeat Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen in the opening round of the Indonesia Open. The 19th ranked Taiwanese twins had shocked the top seeds by taking the first game, before the Malaysians made a comeback to win 17-21, 21-17, 21-14 at the Istora Stadium in Jakarta tonight. Sze Fei-Izzuddin had to labour for an hour before they sealed the match and booked their berth in the last 16. The Malaysians have faced setback after setback this year, failing to get past the quarter-final stage in various tournaments, including two first-round exits. The duo won three World Tour titles in 2023 and another three in 2024, but have not won a single one this year. Today's tie was Sze Fei-Izzuddin's seventh time facing the Taiwanese pair, with the Malaysians winning six of the encounters. In the last 16, Sze Fei-Izzuddin will take on their world No 22 compatriots Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, who staged an upset by beating the No 14 ranked Chinese duo of Xie Hao Nan-Zeng Wei Han 21-17, 21-12. Fellow men's doubles pair Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun also progressed to the last 16 after making light work of American duo Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith, winning 21-6, 21-11 in just 21 minutes. The Malaysians will meet compatriots Junaidi Arif-Yap Roy King, who received a walkover from French pair Eloi Adam-Leo Rossi.
Free Malaysia Today
5 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Bung should be the last to talk about loyalty, says Joniston
GRS information chief Joniston Bangkuai said the coalition had never been reliant on Sabah Umno. (Japen pic) PETALING JAYA : Gabungan Rakyat Sabah information chief Joniston Bangkuai today hit back at state Umno chief Bung Moktar Radin for saying it was tough to work with GRS due to its past betrayal. Joniston, who is also the Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief, said Bung was the last person who should be talking about loyalty or sincerity. 'It was Bung who conspired with Warisan and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat in January 2023 to topple the (state) government led by chief minister Hajiji Noor. 'Bung wasn't betrayed, he was the one betraying (others). 'Even while sitting in the state Cabinet, he had no respect for his colleagues in the state government led by Hajiji,' he said in a statement. He said during the political crisis, several Umno assemblymen refused to support Bung's move and instead backed Hajiji, as did Pakatan Harapan. 'If anyone needs to reflect, it's Bung. 'Why did your colleagues abandon your 'Kinabalu Move'? 'Why did PH support Hajiji instead of you? The answer is obvious: you didn't have their trust,' he said. Joniston said GRS had never been reliant on Umno and reiterated that the coalition was fully prepared to face the upcoming state election independently. Earlier today, Bung said Sabah Umno would not work with GRS in the upcoming state election and that it would only consider working with the party after the state polls. Citing his party's 'dark and bitter' past with GRS, Bung said they needed to practise caution in working with the coalition again. PH and Barisan Nasional have already announced an alliance for the Sabah polls, which must be held by the end of the year. This prompted GRS to threaten to go solo. GRS and PH are currently allies in Hajiji's state government while BN sits in the opposition in the Sabah legislative assembly. However, PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim had expressed confidence that PH, BN and GRS would be able to agree on an alliance for the state election. Last week, the prime minister said discussions among the three coalitions were ongoing. Despite the negotiations, several Sabah BN and GRS leaders have traded barbs over the past few weeks, including Bung and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku president Jeffrey Kitingan.
Free Malaysia Today
7 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Where are you politicians now, says activist over Beng Hock case
Teoh Beng Hock was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours by MACC. (File pic) KUALA LUMPUR : An activist has hit out at Pakatan Harapan leaders and MPs over their purported silence on the death of Teoh Beng Hock, 15 years after the young political aide's death in custody. At a gathering of Teoh's family and civil society groups tonight, A Jayanath of Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia issued a blunt message to politicians who once stood with the family as they sought justice. 'During a protest for Teoh in 2009, many politicians from the opposition were then present. But tonight I don't see any of them. 'This is something all of us need to understand – politicians will make use of any issue (for their own benefit),' he said at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall here, where the participants gathered to remember Teoh and demand accountability. Jayanath challenged those who once pledged support for Teoh to reflect on their role now that they are in government. He added that many of them had pledged to introduce institutional reforms once in power and ensure justice is served for Teoh. 'I am only making a very short speech — one call to these politicians. Tomorrow morning, can you please look at yourself in the mirror and ask what you are going to do about this? 'We have not seen (your efforts), and we are giving you one last chance to (ensure justice for Teoh).' Jayanath also called on those attending the gathering to take action by writing to their respective MPs and assemblymen to urge them to raise Teoh's case in Parliament or the state assemblies. Last week, the Teoh Beng Hock Association for Democratic Advancement urged all DAP ministers to resign in protest of the Attorney-General's Chambers' decision to classify the investigation into Teoh's case as requiring no further action, or NFA. The group said the ministers should also take responsibility on behalf of DAP for failing to fulfil the party's past promises involving Teoh. None of the DAP ministers have responded to the call yet. Teoh's sister, Lee Lan, also did not hold back in her remarks at the gathering, delivering a strong and emotional message to government leaders. 'Back then, all PH leaders told Malaysia that Teoh was murdered and that when they attain power, they will act on the case. 'But why was the investigation classified as NFA? This is a slap in the face for all PH supporters.' She also reminded Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim that he had promised to ensure justice for Teoh once appointed to the top post. Last month, Teoh's family was informed by police that their latest investigation into the case had been classified as NFA. Teoh was found dead on July 16, 2009 on the fifth floor of Plaza Masalam, Shah Alam, after being questioned for hours by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). An inquest was held and the coroner returned an open verdict. However, the Court of Appeal in 2014 ruled that Teoh's death was caused by 'one or more persons unknown', including MACC officers. While the police's latest investigation was classified as NFA, several quarters have questioned why the probe was launched under Section 342 of the Penal Code, which is for wrongful confinement.
