Visitors admiring some of the colourful lanterns on display at the temple grounds in Kuala Langat.
EFFORTS to enhance harmonious living is crucial in a multiethnic and multireligious society like Malaysia.
“We need to respect each other’s religious beliefs and accommodate differences,” said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
He was speaking during the Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Dong Zen Temple Chinese New Year Lantern and Floral Festival inauguration.
It has become a tradition for the temple in Jenjarom, Kuala Langat, to display huge lanterns over 6.47ha of its grounds.
Among the beautiful installations that the over 1,500 guests were there to admire was this year’s centrepiece, a giant bunny lantern to mark the Year of the Rabbit.
FGS Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia chief abbess Venerable Jue Cheng hopes Malaysians will continue to value a harmonious and peaceful environment.
“I am overwhelmed to see so many families wanting to spend time at FGS Dong Zen Temple tonight,” she said.
During the 15-day festival until Feb 5, about 500,000 are expected to visit the temple from 10am to 10pm daily.
Also present were Malaysia’s Buddhist chief high priest Datuk K. Sri Dhammaratana, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Selangor state tourism, environment, green technology and Orang Asli affairs committee chairman Hee Loy Sian, state local government, public transportation and new village development committee chairman Ng Sze Han as well as state industry and trade committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim.
Visitors admiring some of the colourful lanterns on display at the temple grounds in Kuala Langat.
Amirudin and other VIPs at the Dong Zen Temple CNY Lantern and Floral Festival inauguration ceremony in Jenjarom. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT /The Star
