In years past we used to go down to the main temple in Brickfields for the annual Wesak Day prayers. However for the past three years due to traffic congestion, parking problem and the huge crowds we had stopped going to the KL temple for the annual Wesak day prayers. Instead we opted to pray at the local temple located in the heart of Kajang town area and also much nearer to the taman where we live.
The Kajang branch occupies an old building lot that used to be the defunct Sun Cinema of the 80s. Thus in the main hall the floor slopes towards the stage at the back of the building. The former stage is now used as the main shrine with the white Buddha statue in the centre. Even some of the old cinema seating were retained for members' use.
Compared to its parent in KL, the celebration here is on a much smaller and simpler scale. There are no joss sticks and candles to lit and pollute the air, only simple offering of flowers. The loud music, vagrants, traders, and big crowds of devotees that you see in the main temple in KL are no where to be seen. With small crowds of visitors who are Kajang residents the atmosphere here is rather subdued and quite pleasant and conducive to devotional activities.
Two Sinhalese monks came to conduct a short session of prayers and tied yellow threads on the wrists of the devotees. After the offering of donations and prayers we sat down on the table in the adjourning community hall for a serving of vegetarian lunch. In true community style we washed our plates and cutleries after consuming the food.
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