After three years of muted celebrations, Wesak Day in Penang promises to be more grand

GEORGE TOWN, May 1 — The sounds of drums, cymbals, and gongs filled the air as two pairs of gold-and-red lion dancers pranced at the entrance of the Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) in Penang.

There was an air of excitement as volunteers stood in two rows from the entrance leading into the hall to welcome guests and devotees.

Though Wesak Day is on May 4 this year, the celebrations kicked off early in the state with the launch of the Penang Wesak Celebration Day yesterday.

“We were unable to celebrate Wesak Day during the pandemic and even last year the celebrations were muted, so, this year, everything is back to normal; it is time to make it grand again,” said Penang Wesak Celebrations secretary Datuk Lim Gim Hin.

A devotee bathes the Buddha statue at the Malaysian Buddhist Association in George Town. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

He said this year, the Wesak Day float procession will be back.

“It will start at 6pm on Wesak Day and there will be 25 floats this year,” he said.

He said they had to dust off and repair the main float — which had been left untouched for three years — over the last two weeks.

“There was much to prepare and we are expecting large crowds of devotees this year,” he said in a telephone interview.

Various activities have also been planned at the MBA hall here in the days leading up to Wesak Day.

The main float was officially launched yesterday by the Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

Among the activities lined up over the next days included the bathing of the Buddha statue, alms offerings, and offerings rituals.

Visitors observe art at an exhibition of three different Buddhism traditions at the Malaysian Buddhist Association in George Town. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

There will also be a showcase of three different Buddhism traditions, such as ink paintings, calligraphy works and Chinese fans under the Mahayana Buddhism, Ola Leaf Manuscripts under the Theravada Buddhism and a glimpse into Tibetan Buddhism.

MBA president Datuk Seri Venerable Seck Jit Heng said the association has been organising the Penang Wesak Celebration Day since 2012, as initiated by the state government.

“This annual activity has encouraged various Buddhist organisations and temples to work together for the benefit of the public,” he said.

The celebration is organised by MBA and co-organised by various Buddhist temples and organisations in Penang.

Wesak Day celebration is to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha or Siddhartha Gautama.

Visitors look at paintings displayed at the Malaysian Buddhist Association in George Town. — Picture by Opalyn Mok