Month: May 2017

FLOATING LANTERNS Illuminate INDONESIA’S NIGHT SKY in an unforgetable tribue to buddhism, momentarily making INDONESIA THE BEACON OF BUDDHIST FAITH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN.

 

The lanterns floating to worship our Lord Buddha above a moonlit Borobudur temple are a momentous tribute to Buddhism.

Indonesians and tourists alike will write their wishes and attach them on the lanterns before releasing them into the night sky.

The light from the lanterns fill the sky, adding an almost magical element to the Great stupas of Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple on earth.

 

The floating lanterns are organized every year on Vesakah Puja day, otherwise known in Indonesian as “Hari Raya Waisak” or simply just “Waisak.” This year Waisak has fallen on May 11, 2017. The floating lantern ceremony is the highlight of Waisak.

Waisak may be seen differently from the viewpoint of Vesakha Puja in Thailand where the religious ceremony takes a far more somber mood.

Waisak in Indonesia is more a combination of ceremony and festival. Before the prayer begins, there are dance performances and a small concert on a stage shared with the monks.  

Waisak welcomes people of all faiths to join and celebrate together harmoniously and without judgement.  The ceremony is considered a way to support, promote and maintain Buddhism within Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. It is one of Indonesia’s most renowned and successful tourist activities.

In another aspect, the event is considered to be an advancing campaign to ensure that Buddhism is still practicing peacefully in Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world. It is also one of the effective approach to promote Indonesia’s tourism.

 

Celebrated since 1983. The Wisak ceremony is proof that Buddhist faith in Indonesia is still alive and well.

From the journey of ‘Ladawan Sondak’ in Tipitaka : The Living Messages