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Wesak Day celebrations 2014
13 May 2014 — Wesak is a major Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon in May, to commemorate Buddha's birthday, and to mark his enlightenment and death. During Wesak, homes are cleaned and decorated, and in many countries, Buddhists visit their local temples for services and teaching, with offerings of food, candles and flowers to the monks. Chants and prayers are important part of Wesak ceremonies, which also include the 'Bathing of Buddha', where water is poured over the shoulders of Buddha's statue as a reminder to purify minds from greed, hatred and ignorance. Gifts are taken to an altar to be offered to the Buddha statues, as mark of respect and gratitude to the Buddha for his life and teachings. Celebrations vary from one country to another. This year, Malaysian Buddhists celebrate Wesak Day on May 13, 2014.
A man being blessed with holy water by a monk at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur on May 12, 2014. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 13, 2014.
Devotees queue outside the Maha Vihara Budhhist Temple on Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A devotee prepares oil lamps at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple during Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A woman prays in front of a Buddha statue on the eve of Wesak Day in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 13, 2014.
Devotees prepare flowers at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple on Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A woman prepares oil lamps as a preparation for prayers at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 13, 2014.
Monks bless a devotee at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple on Wesak Day on May 13, 2014. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A hand of a devotee is seen as she prepares oil lamps at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple for Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A man performs prayers at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 13, 2014.
A devotee holds a candle to light oil lamps on the eve of Wesak Day in George Town, Penang. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 13, 2014.
Malaysian Buddhists pray at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple during Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
Devotees chant in front of the statue of a sleeping Buddha at a temple in George Town, Penang, on the eve of Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 13, 2014.
Devotees light up oil lamps at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple on Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
A monk blesses devotees at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple on Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
Candles being lit up as a preparation for prayers at the Maha Vihara Buddhist Temple in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Faisal Salehhuddin, May 13, 2014.
Malaysian Buddhists pray at the Maha Vihara Budhist Temple on Wesak Day. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 13, 2014.
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