KUALA LUMPUR – While Buddhists make up the second largest religious segment in Malaysia, devotees from all around Asia congregated at local temples to commemorate this auspicious Wesak Day, earlier this week.
At the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple, practitioners from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and various other Asian countries participated in processions dressed in their respective traditional garbs.
Speaking to Scoop, Buddhist nun Venerable Dr Tenzin Dadon, 46, explained that while Theravada Buddhism may be the most common school of Buddhism in Southeast Asia, it’s not uncommon to see practitioners of Mahayana and Vajrayana congregating in our temples.
The Mahayana sect of Buddhism sees its practitioners mostly hailing from East Asia, while Vajrayana devotees mostly come from countries in the Himalayan region.
Hailing from the majority Buddhist nation of Bhutan and a practitioner of the Vajrayana school of Buddhism, Tenzin noted that there are not many differences in the rituals performed in Malaysian temples on Wesak Day.
“If we are speaking in terms of practices regarding offerings and blessings from the monks, it’s pretty much the same between Malaysia and Bhutan.
“But in Bhutan, there’s an importance placed on the whole fourth month of the Buddhist calendar, while in Malaysia, we see more emphasis on the full moon day (Wesak Day) of that month,” she said.
Touching on Buddhist diversity, Tenzin, who is also a PhD graduate in gender and religion studies at the Universiti of Malaya, shared her experience attending the 2006 International Conference in Malaysia where practitioners from all three schools of Buddhism worked in cooperation, making the event a success.
This close relationship among different Buddhist cultures, Tenzin points out, is evident in our temples but noted that language can be a barrier to fostering closer bonds.
“I have been to different temples run by different cultures (of Buddhists), and they get along, especially if they can all speak English.
“But if there’s no common language, it can be a barrier,” Tenzin added.
Meanwhile, a Myanmar citizen who wanted to be identified by her nickname Mimi expressed her delight at attending the Wesak festivities at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple for the first time.
“It reminds me of home, the celebration is the same, the traditions are also the same, but it is missing something, you know. Back home is a bit more special, you miss home.
“It is my first time coming here to Kuala Lumpur to celebrate Wesak. Before this, I usually celebrated back in Puchong with my friends,” she said.
Mimi, who attended Wesak festivities with a group of friends, appreciates Malaysia’s multicultural environment and its openness towards diverse religions, allowing people of various cultural backgrounds and faiths to coexist harmoniously.
“We can get along with others not only in the Buddhist community but in other cultures also. It’s a bit hard to communicate, but the people are nice,” she said.
Wesak, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanthi, is one of the most significant festivals in Buddhism, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of its founder, Gautama Buddha.
Traditionally, devotees in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, Mongolia, and various countries in East Asia observe Wesak Day.
The celebration of Wesak holds spiritual significance for many Buddhists. It is a time for devotees to reflect on the life and teachings of the Buddha, expressing gratitude for his profound wisdom and compassion that continue to inspire its followers.
During Wesak celebrations, Buddhists engage in various religious activities such as visiting temples, making offerings, chanting sutras, meditating, and participating in processions.
They also engage in acts of generosity, such as giving alms to the needy, as a way of cultivating compassion and merit. – May 25, 2024
