Buddhists Welcome Waisak Day By Bottling Holy Water

TEMANGGUNG, Central Java, May 9 (Antara) - Buddhist community in Indonesia welcomed this year's Waisak Day on May 11 by bottling holy water from the Umbul Jumprit Spring here on Monday. During the event, some monk councils (Sangha), including Teravada, Mahayana, Tantrayana, Madhatantri, Mahanikaya, Tridharma Kasogatan, and Mapanbumi, participated by filling up the holy water in clay jars. Following the blessing ritual, the Deputy of Waisak Celebration Committee Martinus Nata stated that the Buddhist community had earlier performed a cleansing ritual at the spring from May 1 to 3. Nata added that on May 5, the monks also filled around 12 thousand bottles, which was later preserved in the Mendut Temple at Central Java Province's Magelang District. Nata further stated that the holy water will be filled at the country's largest Buddhist temple, Borobudur. Meanwhile at today's event, one of the participants, Bante Pabhakaro, noted that the holy water symbolizes fertility, positive energy, humility, and peace energy. "Therefore, this ritual has reminded the Buddhist community to stay modest in their daily lives," Pabhakaro added. Moreover, the Religious Affairs Ministry's Buddhist Committee in the Central Java Province, Sutarso hoped that this year's celebration could go smooth and serene. Despite Indonesia being dominated by Muslims, the Buddhist community also has a significant role in maintaining peace in the country. Sutarso noted that the ministry asks the Buddhist community to always act in accordance with the teaching of Supreme Leader of Siddhartha Gautama. "Besides living righteously, we hope the Buddhist community could be more actively engaged in maintaining a peaceful environment in the country and preventing hatred, greed, and ignorance in society," he reiterated. Waisak Day celebration, which is centered in the main temple of Borobudur, is attended not only by the Buddhist community but also the tourists around the world. The annual celebration, which was part of a pilgrimage tour, has featured not only an experience of praying with all the monks but also for flying thousands of lanterns after the ceremony.