Selangor’s Wesak Day celebration unites communities

The Maha Karuna Buddhist Society in Elmina, Shah Alam, took centre stage as it hosted the 2025 Selangor State-Level Wesak Celebration, bringing together Buddhist devotees, community leaders, and the general public in a display of unity, spirituality, and cultural pride. Organised in close partnership with the Selangor State Government, the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), and key Buddhist organisations, the celebration was officially officiated by YB Ng Sze Han, State Executive Councillor and Chairman of the Selangor Interfaith Committee (LIMAS), who represented the state government’s commitment to religious harmony.

Chief Reverend B. Sri Saranankara Nāyaka Maha Thera, spiritual leader and founder of Maha Karuna Vihara, led a large assembly of Sangha members, community leaders, and dignitaries in a series of activities that honoured the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and parinibbana. With the strong presence of senior Buddhist clergy and interfaith representatives, the event reflected Selangor’s inclusive approach to multicultural and multireligious engagement.

Festive highlights that celebrated diversity

This year’s state-level celebration, held across the month of May, featured a vibrant mix of spiritual, cultural, and community-driven events. Among the most well-received was the “Wesak Warms My Heart” Photography Competition, which invited the public to capture moments of peace, compassion, and harmony in their surroundings.

Another innovative highlight was the Selangor Temple Passport Challenge, a state-wide initiative that encouraged temple visits to promote Buddhist heritage and religious tourism. Participants who visited 10 or more Buddhist temples stood a chance to win prizes, including a return flight to Sri Lanka—a country closely linked to the Theravada tradition.

Cultural showcases, such as Sri Lankan drumming and traditional dance performances, were crowd favourites. These energetic displays not only entertained but also underscored the multicultural roots of Malaysian Buddhism. Complementing the festivities were bustling food stalls offering popular Malaysian favourites like roti canai, nasi lemak, and local pastries, making the event a sensory celebration of unity and inclusivity.

Collaboration and commitment

The month-long programme was the result of seamless cooperation between multiple Buddhist organisations, including the Malaysia Buddhist Consultative Council (MBCC), the Malaysian Buddhist Association’s Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Liaison Committee, the Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia, and the Maha Karuna Vihara. Key figures such as Sis Lillian Chang, President of MBCC, and Bro Tan Leng Huat, President of the Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia, played pivotal roles in event coordination.

Logistical support from MBSA and state agencies, facilitated by local councillor Tuan Shakir Ameer, ensured smooth operations—from securing permits to on-the-ground facilitation. Their collective efforts helped create an event that not only marked an important religious milestone but also served as a model for interfaith harmony and civic partnership.

A spiritual anchor in Elmina

Founded in 2001 by Chief Reverend Saranankara, Maha Karuna Vihara has grown from its roots in Subang Jaya to a modern Theravada centre in Elmina, Shah Alam. The temple has been instrumental in fostering both spiritual and social development, offering meditation sessions, Dhamma talks, welfare aid, and cultural programmes for the broader community.

The temple’s current home in Elmina was made possible through the Selangor State Government’s allocation of 0.5 acres of land in 2018. Following a groundbreaking ceremony attended by over 500 devotees in 2019, construction was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic but resumed in 2022. Today, the completed vihara stands as a testament to perseverance, faith, and communal solidarity.

As Maha Karuna Vihara continues its mission under the guidance of Chief Reverend Saranankara, it not only nurtures Buddhist practice but also contributes to building a more compassionate and cohesive society. The success of this year’s Wesak celebration reinforces its role as a spiritual, cultural, and civic landmark in Selangor.