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South China Morning Post
17-05-2025
- General
- South China Morning Post
Cat competition in Romania, full moon in Russia: pictures of the week
Devotees fly lanterns during the commemoration of Vesak, which marks the day of Buddha's birth... Devotees fly lanterns during the commemoration of Vesak, which marks the day of Buddha's birth, death and...
Malay Mail
12-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
From Brickfields to Tumpat, Wesak Day draws crowds celebrating peace, faith and Malaysia's spiritual diversity
KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 — This year's Wesak Day celebration was marked with vibrant and harmonious gatherings as Buddhist devotees filled temples nationwide to observe religious rites. In the capital, worshippers began arriving at the iconic Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields from 8am to take part in ceremonies commemorating the birth, enlightenment and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism. The celebration also drew local visitors and foreign tourists eager to experience the occasion and gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist traditions. Visitors kneel before a statue of Buddha during the Wesak Day celebration at the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama pic Among them was M Rajan, 45, a Hindu, who said he attended the event to honour his Buddhist friends and learn more about their beliefs. 'Malaysia is a multicultural and multireligious country. I believe it's important for us to respect one another's faiths and celebrate together. This is one of the ways we can nurture harmony,' he told Bernama. Filipino tourist Jonathan Reyes said he visited the temple to gain a deeper appreciation of local culture and religious celebrations. 'It's nice to see how peaceful and respectful the atmosphere is. I'm not a Buddhist, but being here today has given me a greater understanding and appreciation of Malaysia's spiritual diversity,' he said. A woman says her prayers while holding incense sticks as part of Wesak Day celebrations at the Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama pic In Selangor, visitors thronged the Fo Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, one of the main destinations and top choices for thousands of Buddhists during the annual Wesak Day celebrations. Temple manager Miao Yue, 52, said an estimated 30,000 devotees visited the temple since last Saturday, carrying out religious ceremonies and tributes marking the birth, enlightenment and passing of Siddhartha Gautama. In Perak, over at the Enlightened Heart Tibetan Buddhist Temple in Tambun, Bernama observed thousands of devotees queuing to light incense, scatter flower petals and perform the ceremonial bathing of Buddha statues, joined by foreign tourists eager to experience the Wesak Day celebration as well. Wat Siribunya Maggarama on Jalan Raja Dihilir in Ipoh was similarly packed with devotees from all walks of life, with many families arriving as early as 8am, carrying flower bouquets and necessities such as rice to be donated to the temple. Buddhists light up oil lamps as part of religious rites in conjunction with the Wesak Day celebrations at the Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama pic In Penang, Wat Chaiya Mangalaram on Lorong Burma, Wat Buppharam on Jalan Perak, and Kek Lok Si in Air Itam were filled with visitors as early as 8am. The celebration was equally vibrant at the Malaysian Buddhist Association building on Jalan Burma, where devotees of all ages took part in religious rituals, including lighting incense and lotus-shaped candles. In Perlis, Wesak Day was marked with great enthusiasm as thousands of devotees gathered at the Perlis Buddhist Society building in Kangar for religious ceremonies led by 28 monks. Society chairman Tan Chan Sin said a float procession would be held later in the evening to add a special touch to this year's celebration. In Sarawak, Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian and Kuching South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng were present to liven up the Wesak Day celebration at the Sarawak Buddhist Association building in Kuching. Buddhists mark the Wesak Day celebration with religious rites at the Wat Prachumthat Chanaram, Tumpat, Kelantan today. — Bernama pic In Kelantan, Wat Prachumthat Chanaram in Tumpat was the focal point for Buddhists from across the country, as Wesak Day was celebrated with reverence and solemnity. The temple, which has hosted annual celebrations for over 40 years, organised various religious activities including a procession of flower offerings and candlelight walks around the stupa three times, a symbolic gesture in honour of the life of Siddharta Gautama. Committee member Thom Ija, 67, said nearly 200 devotees had gathered since last night to take part in the religious rituals, which will continue until tomorrow. A visitor from Selangor, Kok, 69, said he makes the long journey each year, drawn by the temple's peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity to pay tribute to the teachings of Siddharta Gautama by visiting several other temples in the area. — Bernama
Malay Mail
11-05-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
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 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.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sotheby's halts Buddha jewels auction after India threat
The auction house Sotheby's has postponed its sale in Hong Kong of hundreds of sacred jewels linked to the Buddha's remains, after a threat of legal action by the Indian government. The sale of the collection - described as one of the most astonishing archaeological finds of the modern era - had drawn criticism from Buddhist academics and monastic leaders. India had said it offended the global Buddhist community. Sotheby's said the suspension would allow for discussions between the parties. A British official named William Claxton Peppé unearthed the relics in northern India nearly 130 years ago, alongside bone fragments identified as belonging to the Buddha himself. The auction of the collection, known as the Piprahwa Gems of the Historical Buddha Mauryan Empire, Ashokan Era, circa 240-200 BCE, was due to take place on 7 May. In a letter to the auction house two days earlier, the Indian government said that the relics constituted "inalienable religious and cultural heritage of India and the global Buddhist community. Their sale violates Indian and international laws, as well as United Nations conventions". A high-level Indian government delegation then held discussions with Sotheby's representatives on Tuesday. In an emailed statement, Sotheby's said that in light of the matters raised by India's government "and with the agreement of the consignors, the auction ... has been postponed". It said updates on the discussions would be shared "as appropriate". Notice of the gems sale had been removed from its auction house by Wednesday and the website page promoting the auction is no longer available. William Claxton Peppé was an English estate manager who excavated a stupa at Piprahwa, just south of Lumbini, the believed birthplace of Buddha. He uncovered relics inscribed and consecrated nearly 2,000 years ago. The findings included nearly 1,800 gems, including rubies, topaz, sapphires and patterned gold sheets, stored inside a brick chamber. This site is now in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Sotheby's had said in February that the 1898 discovery ranked "among the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time".
