Lim (left) checking the bulbs on the Wheel of Dhammachakka (Law of Karma) that will be paraded during the Wesak Day procession. — Photos: Buletin Mutiara
MORE than 20,000 devotees are expected to line Penang’s streets to catch the Wesak Day procession on May 4.
Penang Wesak Celebrations Committee secretary Datuk Lim Gim Hin said it was glad to be able to hold the procession after a lapse of three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said the committee would rely on the police and Rela personnel to help with security that day.
“During pre-Covid times, the annual procession attracted around 20,000 devotees and visitors.
“I believe there will be a bigger crowd this year,” he added.
Lim said 200 volunteers have been involved since April 8 in the preparations, which included cleaning and decorating the floats for the 7km procession.
“There will be 25 organisations from the island and mainland taking part in the procession,” he told Buletin Mutiara at the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) building in Burma Road.
He said the route would be the same as before, starting and ending at the MBA building from 6pm until about 11pm.
The floats will pass by Burma Road (from MBA building), Pangkor Road, Kelawei Road, Lorong Burma, Perak Road, Peel Avenue, Macalister Road, Anson Road, Madras Lane and back to the MBA building.
The association’s honorary secretary Venerable Ji Zun said a series of programmes would be held during the Penang Wesak Celebration that would start at noon this Sunday.
Nuns and volunteers preparing the lotus-shaped bulbs for a float decoration.
She said the celebration would include a float-launching ceremony, health screening, bathing the Buddha ritual and an exhibition. The activities are free and open to the public.
“Besides welcoming the public to join the celebration and learn about orthodox Buddhism, the committee also hopes to foster understanding among different ethnicities and religions, as well as promote unity and inclusiveness,” she said in a statement.
She said the exhibition and Buddha-bathing ritual would be held at the MBA building from April 30 to May 4.
This will be conducted from 9am to 5pm (April 30 and May 1), 9am to 10pm (May 2 and 3) and 9am to 7pm (May 4).
Ji Zun said the exhibition would feature themes related to three main Buddhist traditions – theravada, mahayana, vajrayana – and the correct way of making offerings.
A float being prepared for the procession.
“This year’s event is particularly noteworthy, as (practitioners of) the three major traditions of Buddhism will jointly host the grand event, showing the diversity and inclusiveness of Buddhism.”
The event is initiated by the Penang government and organised by Malaysian Buddhist Association with support from Penang Harmony Corporation, Theravada Buddhist Council of Malaysia, Vajrayana Buddhist Council of Malaysia, Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia Penang SLC and Buddhist Tzu-Chi Merits Society Malaysia.
It is co-organised by various temples and Buddhist organisations in Penang.
The event was first initiated in 2012 and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow is expected to attend the float-launching ceremony on April 30.
The event will also be broadcast live.
The public can visit the event page at fb.me/e/2PCBbAaV6 or go to the association’s www.facebook.com/malaysianbuddhistassociation or www.mbahq.my for updates.
