KUCHING, May 30: Members from Sarawak Democratic Action Party (DAP) including chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who is also Stampin MP, Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching MP), Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, DAP Socialist Youth publicity secretary Abdul Aziz Isa, and former Batu Kawah assemblywoman Christina Chiew were among those invited by Kuching Bodhi Path Society to join an event here yesterday to commemorate Wesak Day.
In a press statement yesterday, Abdul Aziz thanked the organiser for inviting them to the event.
Kuching Bodhi Path Society’s theme for Wesak Day this year is “Harmonious Society through Tolerance and Understanding.”
“Suitable to this theme, tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s beliefs. Rather, it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. It is the consequence of humanity whereby positive and cordial efforts (are exercised) to understand another’s beliefs, practices, and habits without necessarily sharing or accepting them,” said Abdul Aziz.
“The Eight Precepts are very suitable to be practiced by all Malaysians as it resembles modesty and humility. Not just modesty and humility in our life but also in our approach to unite this multiracial and multi-religious country. Let us pray that the new government led by Pakatan Harapan will apply Eight Precepts in their policies for the betterment of our country that we are proud of,” he added.
Wesak Day is a treasured symbol of Malaysia’s multi-cultural and multi-religious society.
Buddhists commemorate Wesak Day with peaceful celebrations and charitable deeds for the less fortunate. Wesak Day is also known as Buddha Purnima and Buddha Day, a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists here as “Buddha’s Birthday” as well as in other parts of the world.
The festival celebrates three momentous events in Gautama Buddha’s life — his birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood), and his departure from the human world (Parinirvāna).
Yesterday, devout Buddhists and followers alike assembled in their various temples before dawn for the ceremonial and honorable hoisting of the Buddhist flag and the singing of hymns in praise of the holy triple gem: The Buddha, The Dharma (his teachings), and The Sangha (his disciples).
Birds, turtles and animals are released in thousands in what is known as a ‘symbolic act of liberation’ of giving freedom to those who are in captivity, imprisoned, or tortured against their will.
Many devout Buddhists also wear simple white dress and spend the whole day in temples with renewed determination to observe the Eight Precepts.
The Eight Precepts are: right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness and right samadhi (practicing four stages of meditation called dhyāna that are culminating into unification of the mind). — DayakDaily
