Wesak Day 2008

This year's Wesak Day, I went to Buddhist Maha Vihara, located at Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. This was my first time going there and I was lucky I managed to find it by referring to the location map in Wikimapia. Many booths were setup along the road leading to the main entrance. Lots of beggars too.


After a short distance of walking, we eventually reached the main entrance. Maha Vihara was founded in 1895, imagine 113 of history. This was where formidable late Ven. Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda resided in. The Sanchi Main Gate.


As we walked in to the temple, there's big lotus fountain. I don't think it's a wishing well lotus, but..!! (People do throw the coins into that lotus)


Before praying in the shrine hall, we bought flowers as the offerings for the Buddha. I believe they were used for parade float of candle light possession later on. Very colorful African Daisy.


We then proceeded to the main shrine hall. We had to queue up and wait for our turns because only limited number of persons can be allocated inside. When we went into the hall, the volunteers collected our flowers and we knelt down in front of the Buddha. The monk chanted a prayer and sprinkled the holy water on all the devotees. We were blessed.


All activities stopped for a while when this meditation master was giving a short speech and leading us to enlightenment. May we all be free from hatred, anger and sufferings. May we all be well and happy always.


A short clip of the drummer boys ushering the master.


We then checked out Wisma Dharma Chakra which is a multipurpose hall. There were a couple of activities going on. In the mean time, we could enjoy the air-con for a while. I walked around the place later on and did some random shots too.


Blood donation. You will get something good in return with your good deeds. That's what a buddhist believes in karma.


Moreover, the exhibition was quite informative. The kids put the journey of Siddhartha to Buddha hood into drawings. You don't need to flip through thick Deepak Chopra's Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment to get to know about the Buddha life.


The choir group doing the singing.


More air pollution prayers by the devotees. (pun intended!) * Choked


The volunteers were busy filling up the oil. Besides flower, light is also one of the offerings for the Buddha. It signifies wisdom and enlightenment.


Tough day at work. Removing dripped candle wax ain't an easy task.


I left in noon when they had this dragon dance performance.


Happy Wesak Day, for 2009 and the coming years!

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