A Night in Borobudur, Vesak Day 2555 BE

Although I am not a Buddhist, but on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 and my country celebrate Vesak Day 2555 BE/2011, especially for Buddhist. This event can be witnessed via television. Vesak is the Buddhist holy day. Vesak Day is also known by the name of Puja or Buddha Purnima Visakah in India, Saga Dawa in Tibet, Vesak in Malaysia, and Singapore, Visakha Bucha in Thailand, and Vesak in Sri Lanka. The name is taken from the Pali language "Wesakha", which in turn is also related to "Waishakha" from the Sanskrit. In some places referred to as "the day of Buddha"

Buddhists in various places in Indonesia and culminating with the release of 1,000 lanterns in the courtyard of the Borobudur Temple, Magelang regency, Central Java, on Tuesday night. The release of this white paper lanterns carried out over thousands of Buddhists perform pradaksina to surround the temple clockwise three times, then followed by a closing ceremony in a series of events conducted by the Representative of Indonesian Buddhists (Walubi) in the temple.

The release of the fire that symbolizes the fight against darkness, like the Buddha's teachings that provide illumination to mankind.

Celebrated in the month of May at the time of bright moon (full moon sidhi) to commemorate the three (3) significant events, namely:

1. The birth of Prince Siddhartha in Lumbini in 623 BC,
2. Prince Siddharta achieve Supreme Enlightenment and became Buddha at Buddha-Gaya (Bodhgaya) at the age of 35 years in the year 588 BC
3. Gautama Buddha Parinibbana (died) in Kusinárá at age 80 in the year 543 BC

The event is also called "Trisuci Vesak" filled with the prayers and hopes and their aspirations to come true this year. This was conveyed by Bante Wongsin Labhiko - Walubi board, that the ceremony pradaksina also a homage to the Buddha, "The tradition was then carried humans to honor the Buddha," he said.

This event received extensive coverage on television and can also be witnessed in person, very interesting given that most people in this country are have another religion. Peace on Earth!

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(Prepared from many source, wikipedia.org, kompas.com/Photos Sunny Aulia, Mei Riyanti)