4,000 throng PJ temple for Wesak Day celebration

In a vibrant display of devotion, thousands of Buddhist devotees converged on Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for Wesak Day yesterday.

To commemorate Buddha’s birth, devotees came together from near and far to pray and take part in various activities.

FGS deputy abbess Ruxing Shih said this year marked the temple’s 30th anniversary and the highest attendance on record.

“We had approximately 4,000 participants this year, including devotees, friends and students.

Ruxing and Cheng (right) at the calligraphy exhibition.

“This year, the celebration featured activities such as a charity food fair, lamp and flower offering, exhibition and charity haircut,” she said.

Ruxing said the charity food fair, which saw more than 30 stalls, aimed to raise funds for the temple’s relocation plan.

She expressed her appreciation to University Malaya Medical Centre for offering free health check-ups during the event, especially for the B40 group.

A highlight of the event was Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng’s calligraphy exhibition on “The Collection of Inspiring Words”, commemorating the 105th anniversary of Venerable Master Hongyi’s Ordination.

Cheng said it took around four months to complete the work and out of the 72 verses in the collection, only 40 were on display because of space limitations.

The exhibition at FGS PJ Dharma Wheel Hall is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10am to 5pm, until June 22.

Also present were Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lim Yi Wei, MCA central committee member Tan Gim Tuan, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Ong Yew Thai, Selayang Municipal Council councillor Calvin Cheong, Datuk Dr Wong Sai Hou and his wife Datin Jennifer Wong.