Waisak procession begins

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)