Hindus join Buddhists in prayers at temples to mark Wesak Day

BUTTERWORTH: Thousands of Buddhists were joined by Hindus in temples in Penang today to celebrate Wesak Day.
Among those who attended the service at the Butterworth Buddhist Association was F. Sarsikumat 37, who came to pray for the well-being of his family.
The lorry driver said he has been praying to Buddha since 2012 even though he was a Hindu, as he believed both Hinduism and Buddhism were related.
"I come here to pray as my home is near here, I pray that my family will be healthy and enjoy prosperity," he said .
Devotees took part in various ceremonies including chanting Buddhist mantras, prayers and bathing the statues of the Buddha. The occasion is held to mark the birthday of the Buddha, his enlightenment and to commemorate his death.
The celebration here was also attended by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng who presented RM8,000 to the association to upgrade its facilities and for aiding students.
He told those in attendance his administration took seriously the right of freedom of religion.
"The people can enjoy freedom of religion under a moderate and open-minded government," he said in his speech.
Lim said the state has set aside an 8.5ha plot at Ampang Jajar, where houses of worship could be built. "There is enough space for 32 houses of worship there," he said.
At the Butterworth Lay Buddhist Society in Kampung Sungai Puyu, hundreds turned up at the crack of dawn to mark the occasion.
One of them was Ng Chee Yan who had come with his nine-year-old son to pray for blessings for the family.
The jewelry maker said he made it an annual duty to conduct prayers during Wesak. He admitted this was difficult to do due to work commitments but he would hold fast to his faith.
"I missed a few times due to work," he said adding that he always took the opportunity to pray when time allowed before leaving with a packet of flowers to bathe with for blessings.
The celebration in Penang culminates this evening with the annual Wesak procession beginning at the Malaysia Buddhist Associaiton at Jalan Burma.
At GEORGE TOWN, thousands of devotees attended the service at the Wat Buppharam Buddhist Temple in Jalan Perak.
Many placed oil lamps at the altar to show their devotion with theSun being told by a temple volunteer that 4,000 lamps have been offered.
A devotee, Lim Soo Yee, 26, from Kuala Lumpur said she wanted to celebrate Wesak in Penang with friends.
"I want pray for my career and for good health. I also want to see for myself the Wesak procession in Penang as Wesak here is merrier," she said.