The Buddhist community has called for self-contemplation among their followers for the sake of a better future as they celebrated Waisak, Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment, across Indonesia on Friday.
The celebration at Borobudur temple was highlighted with the monks holding meditation in the western yard of the temple. The main altar was decorated with a statue of Buddha painted in gold.
Thousands of followers attended the ritual ceremony, seated on mats in solemn meditation for three minutes.
Monk Wong Sing An led the rites. “No fire is bigger than man’s fire of ambition. Man’s ambition glows far greater,” he said.
Council of Indonesia Buddhist Communities (Walubi) chairperson Siti Hartati Murdaya said the Waisak 2010 celebration should build momentum to encourage followers to undertake good deeds in the hope of attaining good karma.
“Whoever does good deeds will get good karma. Their lives will be blessed with health, good fortune and welfare,” she said.
Rain the previous evening had left the ground damp but that did not deter the faithful, who began to flock as early as at 5 a.m. for the procession which was also attended by Religious Affairs Minister Surya-dharma Ali.
The rites lasted four hours with the ceremony reaching its climax with a parade around the temple.
Minister Suryadharma told the Buddhists to aspire to Buddha Gautama, who he said lived an altruistic and humble life.
The celebration was marked with a free health service for 10,000 residents.
The procession at Mendut, organized by Indonesia Sangha Buddhist Conference (KASI), was led by Dharmanandi Chandra with Monk Jotidhammo Mahathera leading the Waisak contemplation rites.
Jotidhammo said the Waisak celebration revolves around the birth and enlightenment of Buddha, and the moment when Buddha decided to abstain from earthly pleasures. He said the Buddha was resigned to abandoning world amenities in the hope of overcoming sufferings of human beings.
“The Buddha left amenities for six years. He left his wife and children only to roam and meditate. For that period, he suffered. All done, for human beings to be freed from suffering,” he said.
Waisak was marked by celebrations across Indonesia.
North Sulawesi Governor SH Sarundajang hopes Waisak provides momentum for the followers to commit to helping the government build the future.
The celebration in Ambon was held at Vihara Swarna Giri Tirta around Mount Nona, Nusaniwe.
“Disasters that have happened in Indonesia are attributable to men unable to control ambition,” Wilhelmus Jawerissa, the chairman of Maluku Walubi, was quoted by Antara as saying.
He said Buddha followers must be thankful for the good fortunes and must always do good deeds.
The procession in Mojokerto, East Java, held at Vihara Majapahit, home to a Buddha statue believed to be the third-biggest in the world. The celebration took the theme of Waisak brings awareness of spiritual and national values.
“Sidharta’s spiritual enlightenment was a realization of human conscience,” Monk Vijjananda Pasadiko Thera said.
Source : http://www.thejakartapost.com
