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New Straits Times
12-05-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Wesak celebration draws 30,000 devotees to 130-year-old Brickfields temple
KUALA LUMPUR: More than 30,000 devotees and visitors, including tourists, gathered at the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields today in a grand Wesak Day celebration that also marked the temple's 130th anniversary. This year's celebration stood out not just for its scale, but also for a renewed focus on charitable initiatives, including an organ donation drive under the Silent Mentor programme, in addition to the annual blood donation campaign. Buddhist Maha Vihara honorary secretary Tilak Leslie said the Silent Mentor programme allowed individuals to donate their bodies after death for medical research and education, in collaboration with universities, teaching hospitals and medical experts. "As of now, we have 30 pledged deceased donors whose bodies are preserved for educational purposes," he said, adding that the registration process was simple and open to all. Founded in 1894 by the Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society, the Maha Vihara Temple held its first Wesak Day celebration in 1895, following the arrival of two Sri Lankan monks. Wesak Day, observed on the full moon in May, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha, all of which were believed to have occurred on the same lunar date. "This is the most sacred day for Buddhists," Tilak said. "It commemorates the three most significant milestones in the Buddha's life, and we honour it with spiritual observances and acts of compassion." This morning's celebrations began with the raising of the Buddhist flag at 8am by Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Malaysia M.I. Mohamed Rizvi and chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, followed by prayers, singing of hymns, the lighting of lotus oil lamps and the burning of incense. Devotees then queued to receive blessings, holy water and a sacred yellow string from monks. One of the key highlights of the evening was the Wesak float procession that began at 6.30pm, which would cover a 12km route through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, before returning to the temple around 10.30pm. Between 20 to 25 elaborately decorated floats, depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha, would be taking part in the parade. In a notable show of interfaith unity, the Church of Our Lady of Fatima nearby contributed to the celebration by offering food to the monks and distributing meals to devotees. "We're deeply humbled by their generosity," Tilak said. "They've also planned to provide more food tomorrow during the lunch hour. It's a beautiful example of unity and shared compassion." When asked about the crowd, Tilak described the response as "overwhelming", with at least 30,000 people recorded by midday.
Borneo Post
12-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
How Wesak Day became a public holiday in Malaysia and why it's sacred to Buddhists: Questions you might have, answered here
Devotees celebrate Wesak Day at the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on May 4, 2023. — Malay Mail photo 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. — Malay Mail photo 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 and 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. '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. — Malay Mail Brickfields lead Maha Vihara wesak day
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.
