100,000 Buddhists to attend Waisak

SEMARANG: An estimated 100,000 Buddhists from both Indonesia and abroad will attend the annual Waisak, or Buddha's Day of Enlightenment, at the temple of Borobudur on June 2.

Sungkono Kusumadi of the Indonesian Buddhist Council said Saturday that the celebration committee has invited Buddhist leaders from Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Singapore.

Activities will start on May 31 with parade of floats around the Mendut and Borobudur temples, he said. On the same days, the committee will hold a painting exhibition at the two temples, he added.

A grand procession from Mendut to Prambanan will cap off the festivities, he said as reported by Antara.

The central celebration committee in Jakarta said that after the event it will continue with its social activities of assisting victims of natural disasters and helping people in rest homes as well as impoverished people in isolated areas. (pan)