Ng (second from right) with (from right) Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Buddhist Association Malaysia chairman Venerable Ming Ji, Sri Dhammaratana, Chetawan Temple Petaling Jaya chief reverend Sophon Cariyaporn and Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Paramita Buddhist Society master Khenpo Pema Rinpoche at the press conference.
SEVERAL activities have been planned for the Wesak Day celebration on May 4 in Kuala Lumpur.
The Joint Wesak Celebrations Committee (JWCC) said the highlight of the event to be held at the Buddhist Maha Vihara temple in Brickfields would be the float procession in the evening which is making a comeback.
Virtual programmes were held in the past years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
JWCC chairman Ng Hong Pau said at a press conference, “We are glad to inform the Buddhist community that the procession will be taking place this year, following the same route as in previous years.
“We estimate that about 10 to 15 colourfully decorated floats will participate.”
The theme for this year’s Wesak celebration is “United Progress Towards National Prosperity and Resilient Citizens”.
The floats, made by devotees from different societies and temples, will follow a 12km route after its launch by Transport Minister Anthony Loke at 6pm.
Some 25,000 devotees and visitors are expected to take part in the celebration.
The floats will start from Buddhist Maha Vihara at Jalan Berhala and move along Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Petaling, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Jalan Hang Lekiu, Jalan Gereja, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Pudu and Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock and return to the temple in about four hours.
Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana hopes that this year’s celebration will attract more young devotees.
Wesak Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
It is a day that sees devotees visiting temples for prayers, offerings and chanting.
The JWCC, comprising 61 Buddhist temples and societies in the Klang Valley, will be organising several other activities leading up to Wesak Day.
JWCC honorary secretary-general A. Hemadasa said,“There will be alms giving and visits to charitable homes.
“Our annual blood donation drive with the National Blood Centre will also return on Wesak Day.”
