WESAK BLESSING... A monk blessing devotees at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, on Wesak Day yesterday. Buddhists congregated at temples throughout the country on the auspicious day which falls on the full moon of the Vesakha month to mark Gautama Buddha’s birth in Kapilavastu, Nepal, enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya and his death in Kusinara, India.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin planting a tree to commemorate his first visit to the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields yesterday. At right is the Buddhist chief high priest of Malaysia Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana.
Religious understanding and acceptance among the various communities in the country can be achieved through continuous inter-religious dialogues.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said mutual respect and sincerity formed the foundation for continued harmony in a multi-religious society.
"Although Islam is the official religion, others can still practice their faiths in peace and harmony as enshrined in the Constitution," he said in his speech to mark Wesak Day celebrations at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields here yesterday.
"The role of the leaders of religious groups is very important. They must continue holding inter-religious dialogues to gain respect and understanding among the different groups.
Muhyiddin said the people must treasure and respect the differences as part and parcel of the country's identity and that the government would remain committed to safeguarding the rights of individuals to practice their own faiths.
"Respect for the various religions can be seen through the construction of temples and places of worship. Religious festivals have also been declared as public holidays to allow devotees to celebrate in peace and harmony."
Muhyiddin described Brickfields as a melting pot, where the places of worship of various religions were located within a short distance of one another.
Muhyiddin said Buddhists comprised 19 per cent of population and had contributed immensely to the country's growth, and the public holiday was proof that the government recognised their contributions.
He also noted that this year marked 50 years since Wesak Day was first proclaimed as a national holiday.
Also present were MIC president Datuk G. Palanivel, MCA secretary general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha and Gerakan vice-president A. Kohilan Pillay.
Some 5,000 people were at the 117-year-old temple when Muhyiddin arrived, taking many by surprise.
He was received by the Buddhist chief high priest of Malaysia Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana.
The deputy prime minister later planted a tree to commemorate his first visit to the temple.
Devotees wishing to rejuvenate their spirits unfurl a giant canvas painting of Shakyamuni Buddha out in the sun in Ipoh yesterday.
A float in the Wesak Day procession which started at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields yesterday.
Lim Yew Sing, from Ijok in Selangor, praying hard at the Wat Prachumtat Chanaram temple in Tumpat, Kelantan.
