On this day you properly will see many people flock to the Buddhist temples all over Malaysia offering joss sticks, flowers and candle to the Buddha. Are Buddhists idol worshipper? Why need to offer all those things to the Image of the Buddha when the Buddha is already not here?
Buddhist are not Idol worshipers as thought and claim by many people. Just because a Buddhist bow down three times in front of a Buddha image that doesn't mean that he or she is worshipping the Buddha like a GOD. Buddha is not a GOD and He never claim that He is a God.
In ancient India and many parts of Asian countries, it is a custom for people pay respect to their parents, elders and teachers by bowing in front of them. It is a custom that was hand down till today and most Buddhist bow down their head in front of the Image of lord Buddha to show their high reverence to the great sage, a great teacher, and a Buddha.
My teacher Ajahn Dr. Tawee once told us...
'When you want to pay respect to the Buddha, please bear in mind this three things. The Buddha is full of WISDOM (Panna), PURITY (Visudhi) and COMPASSION (Karuna). If you contemplate and reflect on these, you are really paying homage to the Buddha. If you bow down without knowing these. You are only worshipping or paying homage to a lifeless stone, sand or wood...."
So you see the image of the Buddha is just a sign or reminder to all the Buddhist to practise and uphold the teachings of the Buddha. Buddhism is about peace and compassion.
Happy Wesak Day and May you and your family be well and happy.
1 comment:
ya lor, the purple flowers were very pretty, but actually i want yellow flower 1 la.
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