Life is adventure

Wesak Day 2013 at Borobudur Indonesia

Understand:

Wesak is Buddha's day celebrate the birth, death and the enlightenment held on the eve of the full moon typically in May. Traditionally, the celebration in Indonesia is focused nationally on the complex of Borobudur Temple in Central Java. Elaborate lantern lit celebrations and colorful day Buddhist celebrations gather at Borobudur. This 9th century Buddhist monument is the world's largest Buddhist temple. This year, Wesak was celebrated on Saturday, 25 May.

What I can tell:

This year is my first experience with this marvelous religious' festival of Buddha. There were a lot of people come from not only Indonesia but many others countries. There were several rituals starting from the morning of 25 May but the last significant ritual is done at night under the light of the super moon on the main stage, built in the yard of Borobudur temple where the crowded people came up and sit in front on the prepared rug. There were a hug statue of Buddha and his escort with very nice and colorful various flowers, sparkle lights and candles. At around 8pm, while people were waiting for honorable guests and delegation, the weather tended to be edgy and immediately started to rain. No longer, the minister of religion and governor of central Java had arrived then gave the speech for celebration covering on peace of religious followship. Then, the monks and Buddhist people prayed and meditated at the same time. After the completion of prayers the pilgrims follow the Prataksin (ប្រទក្សិណ) ritual, where Buddhists circled the temple three times. All the rituals were done completely and enjoyably in spite of the rain.

The whole atmosphere of the festival is fully spiritual and I could understand more the true essence of the Buddhist religion from this grand festival. It is an amazing festival worth experiencing.

What we have/have been taken: