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For
the festivities, the centre set up a shrine decorated with beautiful
fresh flower, with Lord Buddha Sakyamuni sitting in the center,
with Vajrasattva on the left and Manjushri on the right. Right in
front of the shrine, there were three little Buddhas for the devotees
to perform the 'bathing the Buddha' ceremony. The shrine was also
decorated with colourful brocades and trimmings, shimmering lighting
and a huge variety of fruits, sweets, cookies, and tormas for offering
purposes.
The
Shrine ready for the
Celebrations
(66kb)
On
the 25th May at about 8.30 pm, the Wesak program started with the
Long Life Puja and empowerment, followed by Amitabha Tsog offering.
There was a short explanation on the empowerment by the Venerable
Nedo Rinpoche.
At
about 11 PM, devotees began the lighting of and offering of auspicious
lamps to the Lord Buddha. With almost all the centre lighting switched
off, the whole temple was lit up by all the candles on the tables
or those being held by the devotees.
Offerings
of Candles
(51kb)
Then
Nedo Rinpoche and the Sangha led the devotees in three times circumambulating
the temple. During the walk, everyone was reciting the Refuge Vows,
"I take refuge in the Buddha, I take refuge in the Dharma,
and I take refuge in the Sangha". At the end of the circumambulation,
all the candles were put on the gate and walls of the temple.
Circumambulating
the Temple
(57kb)
The
program that day ended with the 'Bathing the Buddha' ceremony and
everyone in the temple patiently waited to take theri turn.
Food
and refreshments were served to all the devotees and the celebration
ended at around 1 pm.
The next day, 26th May 2002, the Wesak celebration started at 9am
in the morning. The program started with the Lord Buddha Sakyamuni
and 16 Arahats Puja. At around 12.30 noon, Venerable Nedo Rinpoche
and the lamas chanted, blessed and released lives - more than 200
birds were released.
Releasing
Lives
(58kb)
Then
vegetarian lunch was served to more than a 1000 devotees.
Lunch
(50kb)
The
program extended into the evening when we participated in the Joint
Wesak Float Procession that was organized by the Mahavihara Temple
(in Brickfields). The procession involved the participation of almost
all the Buddhist societies in Kuala Lumpur which included the Theravada
and the Mahayana traditions, as well as Vajrayana temples. Crowds
gathered in front of the Mahavihara Temple around 6.30 pm, and started
walking for 8km along the main streets of Kuala Lumpur City. Everyone
in the Parade was either holding flowers or candle in their hands
and the chanting of the refuge vows or of Buddha's name in Pali,
English or Chinese could be heard everywhere.
All
the participants experienced joy and happiness from this auspicious
event despite the language differences. The whole event was carried
out in a very peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. Everyone was bathed
with the metta of the Buddha during this occasion; everyone was
walking along one path, - the Bodhii Path. Eventually the program
ended at around 12 midnight, and the devotees, filled with much
joy, went their varying ways.
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