CJMY
The annual Wesak Day celebration in Penang, which had been put on hold last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has resumed, bringing joy and hope to the state’s Buddhist community.
The state government fully supports the celebration, which promotes a deeper understanding of Buddhism and aligns with the Penang2030 vision to inculcate values such as strong familial bonds and proper living.
Penang’s Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, “the culture and philosophy of Buddhism with its emphasis on loving-kindness have a very important role.”
Resuming the celebration
Chow Kon Yeow opened the 2023 Penang Wesak Day Celebration on May 4 at the Malaysian Buddhist Association in Jalan Burma. The theme for this year’s Wesak Day celebration is ‘United Progress Towards National Prosperity and Resilient Citizens’.
Chow was accompanied by Chong Eng, the head of the state Social Development and non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, and other dignitaries from various organisations.
During the ceremony, Chow said, “Penang is a very dynamic city which is rich in history and culture. Nevertheless, I always believe we can do better and that is why the Penang2030 vision is for all of us to develop the state into one which is ‘Family-Focused Green and Smart that Inspires the Nation’.”
The Wesak Day celebration has been an annual tradition in Penang since 2012, and Chow expressed happiness that the celebration could be resumed this year after the pandemic hiatus.
Chong Eng, who is the 2023 Penang Wesak Day Celebration adviser, said the celebration is a good example of people of different ethnic groups and religions coming together to celebrate the day.
The significance of Wesak Day
Wesak Day is a Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha. It is celebrated on the full moon day in May or June, depending on the lunar calendar. The teachings of Buddha emphasise peace, compassion, and love for all living beings. They inspire people to maintain peace in all ways possible, even in times of conflict.
Chong Eng said, “As we reflect on Buddha’s teachings, it also reminds us to work together with Malaysians from all walks of life, regardless of their ethnic groups and religions, for the common good. Now more than ever, we need the spirit of non-violence to help inspire peace and end conflict.”
Teh Lai Heng, the deputy chairman of the Penang Wesak Day Celebration, thanked the Malaysian Buddhist Association and other Buddhist associations, temples, and monasteries for their support, which made the event a success. He said the celebration is a continuing effort by the Penang government to work together with local non-governmental organisations.
Other events during the celebration included a float-lighting ceremony, free medical screenings, and bathing of the Buddha statue. Venerable Chan Liang and Venerable Kai Ning invited Chow and the guests to visit the exhibition hall, hoping the celebration would help visitors gain a better understanding of Buddhism.
Penang’s Wesak Day Celebration is a testament to the state’s multicultural and multireligious society, where people of different ethnicities and religions come together to celebrate a common cause. It is a celebration of compassion, peace, and love, which the world needs more than ever in these challenging times.
Source: Buletin Mutiara
Jimmy Tan
