MALAYSIAN PM JOINS BUDDHISTS NATIONWIDE TO USHER IN VESAK DAY CELEBRATION

KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 (Bernama) -- Buddhist devotees in Malaysia, from all
walks of life, celebrated Vesak Day in the spirit of 1Malaysia, offering prayers
and alms Friday.

Vesak Day is the most important and sacred day for Buddhists throughout the
world who observe the day of the birth, enlightenment and the passing of Gautama
Buddha.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor
joined thousands of devotees who celebrated the holy day at the Buddhist Maha
Vihara in Brickfields.

Najib and Rosmah's arrival at 9.30am was greeted by Chief High Priest of
Malaysia, Most Venerable K Dhammaratana Thera and a performance troupe that
represented the multi-cultural ethnicity in the country.

Several Cabinet Ministers including Health Minister Liow Tiong
Lai, Transport Minister Ong Tee Keat, Deputy Information Communication and
Culture Minister Joseph Salang Gandum as well as representatives from other
faiths and foreign dignitaries were also joined in the celebration.

Celebrity British chef Gordon Ramsey was also invited to prepare a special
vegetarian lunch for the VIPs.

Various programmes are also planned at the temple, including blood donation,
distribution of free vegetarian food, exhibition, mass prayers and
procession in the city during the evening.

Ong and Liow later joined celebrations at the Buddhist Temple in Jalan Klang
Lama and Air Panas in Setapak respectively.

During the celebrations in Setapak, organised by the Miao You Buddhist
Association, Ong contributed eight computers to two schools in the area, namely
Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Tamil (SJKT) St Joseph Sentul and Sekolah Kebangsaan
Marian Convent Air Panas.

In KUCHING, deputy Works Minister Yong Khoong Seng launched Sarawak's
Vesak Day celebrations at the Sarawak Buddha Association in Kuching this
morning.


In Miri, Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan attended the
Vesak Day celebrations held at the Miri Buddhist Society in Jalan Chong
Poh, Miri.

Those who are not Buddhists, also took the opportunity to join in the
celebrations or took the opportunity to spend their time with their families at
shopping complexes or other vacation spots.

In KOTA KINABALU, Sabah assistant minister of Infrastructure Development
Pang Yuk Min and his family joined thousands of Sabahans who celebrated Vesak
Day in the 1Malaysia spirit.

Pang said unity among Malaysians when ushering in the spirit of such
celebrations would be vital for the development of the country and Sabah in
particular.

In Johor, an estimated 2,000 people gathered at the Fo Guang Buddhist Centre
in Johor Baharu to usher in the auspicious Vesak Day celebrations.

"It's a day of remembrance and reflection and to celebrate the
birth and death of Lord Buddha," said Steven Shum, the president of the Johor
chapter of the Buddhist Light International Association.

In IPOH, Buddhist devotees in the state thronged the Tibetan-style
Enlightened Heart Buddhist Centre in Tambun to offer their prayers and alms for
the Vesak Day celebrations.

Perak state Exco for Health Dr Mah Hang Soon meanwhile, joined the
celebrations held at the Perak branch of the Malaysian Buddha Association in
Jalan Pasir Putih and handed over a RM50,000 allocation to the association.

In SEREMBAN, celebrations were centered at the Buddhist Vihara in Lobak
where about 3,000 devotees gathered to offer their prayers while a procession is
scheduled at 7pm.

In Penang, about 5,000 Buddhist devotees accompanied a procession of 69
decorated floats that started parading through Jalan Perak, Lebuhraya Peel,
Jalan Anson, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Kelawai, Jalan Burma at 6pm and expected to
return to the Penang Buddist Association later.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng also joined the procession, held in
conjunction with the Vesak Day celebrations, Friday.

-- BERNAMA



Delete & Prev | Delete & Next