.JPG "A woman offers incensed joss-sticks at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan temple in Petaling Jaya on Wesak Day May 29, 2018. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Azneal Ishak")
GEORGE TOWN, May 29 — In conjunction with Wesak Day, Chief Monk of the Mahindarama Buddhist Temple here announced this morning that he will donate his body to University of Malaya for medical and scientific studies after his death.
Ven E Indaratana Maha Thera said that his final wish was to contribute himself to the world so as to serve the sick, the old and the unfortunate.
“I was born and raised in a poor family, but I had received countless help and support from others, thus I want to do the same by doing good deeds and helping those who are in need,” he said.
Mahindarama Buddhist Temple secretary Surya Dharamdass said that this was the first time that a monk has devoted his full body as contribution.
Meanwhlie, Surya also said that this year’s Wesak Day would be more elaborate as this year also celebrates its centennial of Mahindarama Buddhist Temple.
“Visitors not only come to the temple and pray to Buddha, but there is also a veneration of the sacred relics of the Samma Sambuddha, which originated from Sri Lanka and India,” she said.
There is also a float with the theme based on Lumbini Garden, which was the birthplace of Buddha, with several lotuses, with one standing out at least 10 feet tall and decorated with sculptures carefully carved by monks from Sri Lanka.
The float will be joining 19 others around Penang for the 7km procession themed “Harmonious Society Through Tolerance and Understanding” and will depart at 7pm from the Malaysian Buddhist Association premises in Burma Road and end at the same venue. — Bernama
