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Buddhists flock to temple to celebrate Vesak Day
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Buddhists pray at the Ekayana Arama temple in West Jakarta on Tuesday to commemorate Vesak Day.
(kompas.com/David Oliver Purba)
T
housands of Buddhists flocked to the Ekayana Arama temple in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Tuesday morning. They came to pray, sing and observe sacred rituals to celebrate Buddha’s birth, which is celebrated as Vesak Day.
The temple’s representative, Arama Husen Danawira, said the celebration proceeded peacefully.
“We’ve always been supported by personnel from the police and military. They guarded the temple’s indoor and outdoor areas,” Husen said as reported by kompas.com.
The temple chose “Harmony in Diversity for the Nation” as it theme for the 2,562th Vesak celebration this year.
Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan also paid an impromptu visit to the temple.
Amid the festivity, the leader of the temple, Monk Aryamaitri Mahasthawira, gave Anies a red scarf called the scarf of blessings.
“Keep on making the Ekayana Arama temple a source of love and happiness for all humankind,” Anies told the congregation, according to tempo.co. (vla)
