Celebrating Vesak in Malaysia – A Celebration of Three Major Events in Buddhist History

Buddhists across Malaysia got together as one to celebrate one of the most important religious public holidays in the Buddhist calendar. Buddha Purnima or Buddha Day as it is known locally is of great significance to Buddhists as it marks three major events of the life of the Buddha. These are namely the birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Lord Buddha. While Vesak is celebrated across Malaysia, the main festivities are held in Kuala Lumpur in areas that are famous for tourist destinations as well as some of the most luxurious hotels in Kuala Lumpur such as those by Berjaya Hotels and Resorts.

As part of the Vesak celebrations, devotees dressed in white gather to meditate on the eight precepts of Buddhism and engage in candlelight processions as well as the offering of prayers and flowers. Devotees from all walks of life also line up in queues to bath Buddha statues, a ritual which is considered to be one of the most important in Malaysian culture as it signifies the purification and cleansing of one’s soul of sins. Vesak celebrations in Malaysia usually commence during the first week of May with a grand Vesak Day parade and lasts for a week’s period.