Over 160 Monks, 5,000 Devotees Gather For National Day Blessings Ceremony In Penang

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 1 (Bernama) -- A day after the 68th National Day, the spirit of patriotism was expressed through prayers and charity when more than 5,000 devotees came together in the ‘Merdeka Blessings and Maha Sanghikadana’ programme here to pray for Malaysia’s well-being.

The event, organised by the United Buddhist Order of Malaysia (UBOM) at the SMJK Phor Tay hall in Sungai Dua, began as early as 7.30 am with barefoot monks walking silently with alms bowls.

Members of the public, who had queued from as early as 6.30 am, waited respectfully to present offerings to over 160 monks from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

UBOM organising committee vice-chairman Dr Yeap Gim Ean said the programme, which brought together people of various races, aimed to foster unity, harmony and compassion among Malaysians.

“The programme was organised to strengthen unity among the local community and to cultivate compassion, particularly towards the less fortunate.

“We emphasise the importance of unity and love in building a peaceful and prosperous nation, especially in conjunction with the 68th National Day celebrated yesterday,” she told Bernama.

The event, held in collaboration with the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Penang, was attended by Consul-General Psusist Wongsurawat and programme advisor Datuk Seri Steven Ooi.

Yeap said the public was encouraged to donate voluntarily as a gesture of sincerity, including robes for monks.

“The donations are part of the ‘Maha Sanghikadana’ ritual, where offerings are made to the ‘Sangha’ in accordance with Buddhist teachings. Giving to a community of monks, or ‘Maha Sangha’, brings greater blessings compared to donating to a single monk,” she said.

Held annually over the past three years, the UBOM programme has become a platform to strengthen community bonds and promote noble values in line with the spirit of independence.

Meanwhile, Ooi said the large-scale event was not only a spiritual practice but also symbolised the Buddhist community’s contribution to national harmony and prayers for Malaysia’s continued peace and unity.

He said that with the strong participation and support received, the programme would be continued and further strengthened in the future to uphold values of unity and humanity in Malaysia.

Besides donations such as food, daily necessities and robes, the event also featured the recitation of ‘paritta’ (prayers for well-being) dedicated to the nation, its leaders and the people regardless of religion or race.

-- BERNAMA