'Waisak' observed in solemn ceremony<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of Buddhists from around the country
\ngathered at dawn yesterday at the Central Javanese temple of
\nBorobudur to join a solemn ceremony in observance of Waisak,
\nBuddha's day of enlightenment.<\/p>\n
Under the moonlight, the congregation meditated to commemorate
\nthree important events in the Buddha's life: his birth, his
\nenlightenment and his death.<\/p>\n
Some 20,000 colorful plastic bottles, containing sacred water
\ntaken from the Umbul Jumprit spring in Temanggung, were lined up
\nin the temple's yard. The congregation jostled to grab the
\nbottles after several Buddhist monks blessed the water.<\/p>\n
\"This is not ordinary water, this is blessed water. If we put
\nour trust in it, it can cure any ailment,\" according to
\nKromohadi, one of the faithful who trekked down Mount Merbabu to
\nsample the holy water.<\/p>\n
A number of elderly women expressed a similar belief, saying
\nthe water could help bring prosperity and happiness to their
\nfamilies.<\/p>\n
A group of young Buddhists from Jakarta, however, said they
\nless sure of the water's powers. \"The water is sacred, yes, but
\nI'm not sure it can cure illness,\" one of them told the Antara
\nnews agency.<\/p>\n
Rather, said Nita, \"the Waisak water is a symbol of our duty
\nto do good.\"<\/p>\n
The Tri Suci Waisak is celebrated every year at several
\ntemples in the Central Java province; the nucleus of festivities,
\nhowever, is usually at Borobudur.<\/p>\n
This year Buddhists held exhibitions and a Dhammapada
\nscripture recital contest for the 2539th Waisak. At least 30
\nbhikku, or Buddhist monks, from Indonesia and other countries
\njoined the ritual, which started on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Yesterday afternoon, participants in the Waisak ceremony
\nmarched in a procession from Mendut Temple to Borobudur, passing
\nPawon Temple en route. The route of the procession is four
\nkilometers long.<\/p>\n
Six carriages drawn by horses and two elephants, borrowed from
\nthe Borobudur recreation park, led the procession. The ceremony
\nwas concluded with several other rituals, including the lighting
\nof five different colored candles.<\/p>\n
On the predominantly Hindu island of Bali, Waisak was
\ncelebrated at two places of worship, the Vihara Dharma Bratha,
\nDenpasar, and Vihara Dharmayana in Kuta Beach.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people began meditating at one o'clock Monday
\nmorning to greet the coming of the Waisak moment, which occurred
\non 4.49 a.m. local time.<\/p>\n
Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said in a
\nbroadcast message Sunday that Buddha's enlightenment day should
\nremind Buddhists to help promote national unity.<\/p>\n
\"We see cruelty happening everywhere. We see murders,
\nviolence, and distortion of facts, but if we really try to
\nimplement the Dharma teachings of Buddha, we'll remember to stay
\non guard,\" he said. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/waisak-observed-in-solemn-ceremony-1447893297",
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