KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the King and Queen of Malaysia, wished Malaysian Buddhists a happy Wesak Day.
Their Majesties said that racial harmony is the pillar of national unity.
“Happy Wesak Day to all Buddhists in this country,” said Their Majesties in a post on Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s Facebook page, Bernama reported.
Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin also extended Wesak greetings to all those observing the festival.
“May this kind of festivity continue to be celebrated in an atmosphere full of tolerance, love, unity and respect among all Malaysians,” said a statement posted on the official Selangor Royal Office Facebook post yesterday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to make every celebration and culture a core element for enhancing unity and mutual understanding.
Expressing his Wesak greetings to all Buddhists yesterday, the Prime Minister said that one of the universal ethics emphasised in Buddhist teachings is the rejection of ignorance.
Therefore, he hoped that the people would work to increase understanding, galvanise their strengths, and prioritise the advancement of the nation.
“May the illuminating Wesak celebration bring happiness to you, your friends and your family, as well as strengthen harmony.
“I am very confident that this country can become strong with its united and resilient people. Once again, happy Wesak Day to all Buddhists in Malaysia!” said Anwar in a Facebook post.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has also extended Wesak greetings from Seoul, where he is attending the Asian Leadership Conference.
“I am not able to join the devotees back home for the celebration, but I visited the Jogyesa Temple, which is near the conference venue,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
“In Korea, there is no Wesak Day celebration but the Buddha’s birthday, also known as Seokga Tansinil, is a major holiday celebrated nationwide on the eighth day of the fourth month in the lunar calendar by Buddhists in the country.
“They just had a grand celebration on May 15,” Dr Wee added.
He said both Wesak and Buddha’s birthday honour the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Gautama Buddha but are celebrated in different cultural contexts and with distinct customs and practices.
“The highlight of the celebration in Seoul is the lotus lantern festival called Yeondeunghoe, where thousands of colourful paper lanterns, normally in the shape of lotus flowers, are hung in temples and streets.
“Here’s wishing all Buddhists a serene Wesak filled with peace, compassion and enlightenment.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and other Cabinet ministers also conveyed their Wesak greetings to all Buddhists in the country, Bernama reported.
Fadillah, in a Facebook post, expressed hope that the celebration will unite Malaysians in peace and harmony and strengthen unity regardless of religious beliefs.
“Let’s strengthen love and kindness together, wherever we are,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Malaysia is known for harmony among various races, cultures and religions and that uniqueness is an important asset that needs to be maintained by all Malaysians.
“May Wesak Day be celebrated with happiness, peace and harmony,” he said in a Facebook post.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said racial and religious differences are the unique characteristics that unite Malaysia’s pluralistic society.
“Together, let’s preserve the harmony we have achieved,” he said.National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang posted on X that the main teachings of Buddhism were in line with the philosophy of simplicity.
