Malaysia

Wesak celebrations still meaningful despite virtual celebration for second year

Penang Buddhist associations and groups to ensure devotions will continue to comply with SOPs

Updated 5 years ago · Published on 22 May 2021 2:20PM

Wesak celebrations still meaningful despite virtual celebration for second year
The Butterworth Lay Buddhist Society chairman Law Wei Pin says an online viewing of the Buddha bathing ceremony will take place, similar to how it was conducted last year. – Butterworth Lay Buddhist Society Facebook pic, May 22, 2021

by Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN – It will be the second consecutive year that Wesak Day celebrations will be carried out virtually in view of the pandemic.

Wesak Day, which falls on May 26 here, would be celebrated online with prayers, meditations and other activities.

The celebration to mark Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and death, is usually marked with public events – from processions, prayers to charitable events.

Penang Buddhist Association assistant secretary Peter Khoo told the state’s newsletter Bulletin Mutiara that nothing much can be done by the temples, especially under the current movement control order.

“We will be having a short prayer service in our shrine’s hall, which will only be attended by the key committee members in accordance with the strict standing operating procedures. The association will not be open to the public. We need to follow the rules and regulations to ensure everyone is safe.”

The Dharma Sunday School will share a series of online activities from 10am to 11.30am on Wesak Day.

The Butterworth Lay Buddhist Society chairman Law Wei Pin said an online viewing of the Buddha bathing ceremony will take place, similar to how it was conducted last year.

Despite the subdued affair, the Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia in Penang has been helping to donate food and other household amenities to the underprivileged.

It has also provided food to the Royal Malaysian Army’s medical corp, which is finalising the construction of a mobile field hospital that will have intensive care units. – The Vibes, May 22, 2021

Related News

Events / 4d

Penang launches sharing integrative platform to reduce shortage in key high-skilled areas

Community / 4d

Penang Mutiara LRT can be expanded if there is a need – MRT Corp

Malaysia / 5d

18 vehicles damaged after being hit by drug-positive driver

Events / 5d

Glamparents Showtime 2026 raises over RM71,000 for charity

Malaysia / 6d

‘Get your facts right’ – says CM over claims that Penang is going bankrupt

Malaysia / 6d

Chow and Lim come together to resolve infrastructure issues

Spotlight

Malaysia

Women are pillars of national progress, community formation - PM Anwar

Malaysia

Muhyiddin's 'congratulatory' message to Hamzah a fake

Malaysia

Hamzah Zainudin launches new political party, Parti Wawasan Negara

Malaysia

Disturbing video of alleged employers assaulting their helper goes viral (video)

Malaysia

Illegal Rohingya settlement demolished after widespread public outcry

Malaysia

Three more political figures expected to be charged soon

Malaysia

Ten Johor “hotseat” constituencies set for fierce multi-cornered battles

You may be interested

Malaysia

Illegal Rohingya settlement demolished after widespread public outcry

Malaysia

Lee’s resignation from PKR leadership questioned, labelled as betrayal of mandate

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Hamzah Zainudin launches new political party, Parti Wawasan Negara

Malaysia

Three more political figures expected to be charged soon

Malaysia

Federal ultra-budget challenged as Anwar pushes RM198m Sabah power grid expansion

Malaysia

Sultan Nazrin warns AI, fake news and extremism are shaping youth thinking at unprecedented scale

Malaysia

Opposition realignment looms as PAS considers coalition shake up, RESET movement

Malaysia

DOE: No acid contamination in Cherating river after tanker spill