Wesak Day Celebration in Malaysia

Wesak Day Celebrations are held in most parts of Malaysia. The day is considered to be very important for Buddhists around the world. On this day, thousands of Buddhists throng to the temples in the country. It is a day when Buddhists observe the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. Religious offerings are carried out as well. Rituals such as the “Bathing of the Buddha”, chanting of holy scriptures, lighting of sticks and ordination of monks usually take place in the Buddhist temples during the Wesak Day Celebrations.

Source: Google image

The exact date of Wesak varies according to the various lunar calendars used in different traditions. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on a full moon Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month. Wesak Day in China is on the eighth of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. The date varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar, but usually falls in April or May. In leap years Wesak is celebrated in June, and this 2012, it falls on 5th of May.

Source: Google image

Source: Google image

Wesak Day marks three momentous events in Buddha’s life which are their God’s birthday, enlightenment, and achievement of Nirvana. The celebration begins at dawn when devotees gathering at the temples to meditate on theEight Precepts. Donations, giving food to the needy, offerings of incense, sticks and prayers are carried out. The sutras are chanted in unison by monks in saffron robes. The celebration is highlighted by a candle procession.

Source: Google image

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Source: Google image

Wesak Day is a holy day in the calendar of Buddhists worldwide where devotees observe precepts and teachings of Lord Buddha their teacher, and reiterate their determination to lead noble lives. Wesak Day Celebrations are held till late into the night in Malaysia. There are grand processions in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Seremban, Malacca and Georgetown. In Kuala Lumpur, the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields is having its annual float procession involving about 25 colourful floats sponsored by various organisations.