KUCHING: 1,000 Buddhist worshipers attended the Wesak Day celebration at the Sarawak Buddhist Association on Tuesday here.
Wesak is a day of the Buddha’s birthday, commemorating three significant events of the Sakyamuni Buddha’s, life, his birthday, enlightenment and his death.
The celebration, themed “Harmonious Society through Tolerance and Understanding” was organised by Malaysia Buddhist Association Sarawak Branch.
Representatives from Christian, Hindu and Sikh organisations, and the Islamic Information Centre were invited to witness the celebration.
The event commenced with the cutting of balloons by Sarawak United People’s Party President and Minister of Local Government and Housing, Datuk Dr. Sim Kui Hian, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) Chairman, Lo Khere Chiang, former Deputy Works Minister, Datuk Yong Khoon Seng and Organising Chairman, Datuk Dr Tay Chin Kin, who is also the Chairman of Malaysia Buddhist Association Sarawak Branch.
It was preceded with the Wesak service, which includes offering and prayers and the bathing of the Prince Siddharta statue.
Sim in his speech said that Sarawak is unique for its people have a high tolerance and understanding towards the other races.
“We can see from this celebration, aside from Buddhists, those from other races and religions are here to witness it,” he said.
He hoped that Sarawak would continue to maintain its peace and harmony, and not let extremists to jeopardise its racial unity.
Meanwhile, on the association’s new building located just beside the association, which would cost more than RM10 million, Sim said he would write to the state government and do his best to get the fund.
“I also urged the people to donate and support the association.”
Also speaking was Dr. Tay, who said that in a multi-racial and multi-religious country like Malaysia, to create a harmonious society, it is important to have mutual respect and understanding with people of different faiths.
“The world that we live in is forever changing and full of challenges. Therefore, I urge all Buddhist and Shangha members to work together to protect the dhamma (Buddha’s teachings) and to ensure its purity could be sustained,” he stressed.
He said the Buddha taught about great compassion and understanding the suffering of others, and should be practiced by Buddhists for the benefits of oneself and others for a harmonious society.
