WITH a week remaining until the annual Wesak Day celebration on May 22 (Wednesday), some Buddhist temples in Penang are stepping up their preparations to mark this symbolic and deeply significant occasion.
This year’s event carries the theme, ‘Living Harmoniously, Thriving Society,’ drawing inspiration from the Buddhist teachings centred around cherishing and preserving life.
Checks by Buletin Mutiara at a few Buddhist temples today revealed that the staff and volunteers have been diligently engaged in preparations, gearing up for a flurry of activities to mark the celebration.
At the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) in Burmah Road, its honorary secretary Venerable Ji Zun was seen adding some final touches, alongside some of the temple volunteers.
“We are cleaning, and arranging some of the prayers items. The preparations are now about 50% complete, and we expect to be fully prepared in a few days.
“This Saturday, we will host the Penang Wesak Celebration Day 2024, from 7pm to 8.30pm at MBA. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and other distinguished guests are expected to be present during the event.
“So far, everything is progressing well leading to the celebration,” she said when met at MBA.
Aside from this, Ven Ji Zun said various programmes are scheduled before the actual day.
“There will be a Wesak Eve ceremony at 6.30pm featuring a Buddha statue bathing ceremony, and the Wesak procession ceremony on Wednesday at 6pm.
“The mock cheque presentation to Pure Lotus Hospice of Compassion, the National Cancer Society of Malaysia (Penang branch), Persatuan Kebajikan Than Hsiang Wan Chin Yuen, and Special Children’s Centre Penang will take place on Wednesday,” she said.
Over at the Penang Buddhist Association (PBA) in Anson Road, a series of events are being lined up.
Its committee member Annie Chee said Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng and Penang Wesak Celebrations Committee chairman Datuk Loh Hock Hun would be present for the procession next week.
“We expect thousands of devotees to throng Penang Buddhist Association next week to celebrate the auspicious celebration,” she said.
Meanwhile, Penang Wesak Celebrations Committee vice-chairman Datuk Seri Choot Ewe Seng said Chow and other notable guests are expected to attend the Wesak Day procession next week.
“There will be a total of 23 floats in the procession, starting from MBA. We expect thousands of devotees to flood the streets during this yearly festival,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee