By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, May 4: Deputy Premier Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian has called on all Buddhists as well as Sarawakians of other faiths to come together in a joint effort to maintain the peace and harmony in the region.
“Celebrating Wesak also means making special efforts to bring happiness to the unfortunate like the aged, the handicapped, and the sick.”
“To this day, Buddhists will distribute gifts in the form of cash, or foods to the needy,” he said in his speech at the Wesak Day Celebration 2023 event held at the Sarawak Buddhist Association main shrine at Lorong Wan Alwi today.
This is the second year that the Wesak Day is celebrated in regionwide, jointly organised by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), the Department of Premier of Sarawak and the Malaysian Buddhists Association Sarawak Branch.
Dr Sim pointed out that an event such as this will not be the only joint activity with a religious institution, as Unifor will continue to organise many more activities with other religious institutions throughout Sarawak.
“I hope that with more joint activities like this, we can all come together, even closer and continue to live as one in peace and harmony,” he said.
He pointed out that Buddhist organisations are encouraged and obligated to play a common role to motivate positivity in the hearts of the people.
“The key for the Malaysian Buddhist community to accomplish this mission is by prioritising solidarity.”
At the shrine, many Buddhists could be seen lighting candles in prayers to observe the celebration of Wesak Day.
One of the highlights of Wesak Day at the shrine is the ritual bathing ceremony of the statue of ‘Baby Budhha’ with scented water.
Buddhists believe that such a ritual is an act of purifying their minds from greed, hatred and ignorance, and that the image of Buddha symbolises inner purification and purgation of sins. — DayakDaily
