Waisak procession begins
MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Dozens of Buddhist priests and devotees carried holy water to Mendut Temple on Saturday to mark the start of the three-day procession of Waisak, which organizers expect to bring peace to the crisis-plagued nation.
The water was taken from a spring in the village of Jumprit in Temanggung, some 60 kilometers north of here, earlier on Saturday.
A number of locals and people from outside the village were seen showering their faces and other parts of their bodies with the water soon after the ritual finished. Many believe the spring water could bring luck and heal diseases.
The ceremony itself was inspired by the founder of Buddhism, Sidharta Gautama, who ordered his followers to sprinkle blessed water on people who were suffering from an outbreak of a disease some 2000 years ago in Vesali, India.
During Saturday's ceremony, the blessed water was poured into 12 small earthenware jugs, kept at Mendut Temple along with a flaming torch to be brought from a bonfire lit at the village of Mrapen in Grobogan on Sunday.
An estimated 20,000 Buddhists are expected to gather at Borobudur Temple on Monday to celebrate the birth and death of Sidharta.
The commemoration will be preceded by a procession of the blessed water and flaming torch from Mendut to Borobudur, a distance of three kilometers.
Chairwoman of Council of Buddhist Communities Siti Hartati Murdaya said on Saturday that Buddhists across the country would pray for the country's unity and safety in this year's commemoration.
"Unlike celebrations in previous years, there will be no artistic performances this time. We will be focusing on the ritual and social activities," she said.
Deputy chairman of the Waisak celebration organizing committee, David Hermanjaya said that foreign devotees from Thailand, Japan and Germany would be among attendants of the prayer at Borobudur Temple, which will begin at around 8.50 p.m.
Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan and Central Java Governor Mardiyanto will attend Monday's ceremony.
Separately, Magelang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Sugeng Priyanto said around 400 police personnel have been deployed to maintain security and order during the three-day procession. Civilian guards from mass organizations, including Nahdlatul Ulama's Banser and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, will also be involved in security arrangements.
Traffic leading to the Mendut and Borobudur will be closed during the parade, which will begin at around 3 p.m.
Chief of Kedu Police, overseeing Magelang and surrounding towns, Sr. Comr. Bambang Tjahyono, said an anti-bomb squad and riot police officers would be on alert during Monday's procession. (leo)