Buddha's Birthday Celebration at the Ancient Buddhist Center of Indonesia

According to a VNA correspondent in Indonesia, on May 18, at Kedaton Temple, located in the grounds of the Muarajambi Ancient Buddhist Center, Jambi Province, Indonesia, a solemn Vesak ceremony was held with the participation of local officials, representatives of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and thousands of Buddhists.

From early morning, people poured into the relic site, lining up in an orderly manner to perform the Buddha bathing ceremony before entering the main ceremony area.

Monks and Buddhists practice walking rituals in the ancient temple grounds. (Photo: Do Quyen/VNA)

Monks and Buddhists practiced the ritual of walking around the relic site.

The ceremony began with the ritual of offering incense, flowers, lights, water, fruit, etc. to show respect to Buddha.

Venerable Bhadrasuryaphalo, abbot of Vihara Buddha Bhaisajyaguru Temple in Lampung, presided over the prayer, chanting and dharma talk, emphasizing the profound philosophies of the Buddha's compassionate ideology and the need for ethical and spiritual practices leading to enlightenment.

The monk said that this year's 2569th Vesak Day celebration at Keraton Temple in Jambi is a special occasion and is even more meaningful for Buddhists and Indonesians as it coincides with the 1,000th anniversary of the great monk Atisa Dipankara Shrijnana's arrival at the ancient Muarajambi temple area.

The monk believes that the holiday will spread the core teachings and spirit of Buddhism: "Compassion-Wisdom-Selflessness."

Buddha bathing ritual at Vesak festival at Kedaton temple, Jambi province, Indonesia. (Photo: Do Quyen/VNA)

Dr. Agus Widiatmoko, Director of the Cultural Heritage Conservation Center of Jambi province, emphasized that Indonesia always values religious harmony and Buddhism is an indispensable part of the religious life of the people.

Jambi is a land rich in cultural and religious values. Therefore, the Vesak festival is a meaningful occasion for Buddhists as well as Indonesian people, bringing a message of unity and harmony.

As one of six official religions recognized by the state, Buddhism, although accounting for only about 0.7% of the population, is always respected in social life in Indonesia.

The Buddha's birthday ceremony was solemnly held at Muarajambi - an ancient Buddhist center with traditional cultural rituals, demonstrating respect and preservation of Buddhist heritage in the heart of the world's most populous Muslim country./.