中文
On 31 May 2026, we welcomed over 2,500 visitors and 400 furkids for our largest Wesak Festival to date, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate the birth, enlightenment and parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Held amidst the tranquil surroundings of Kechara Forest Retreat in Bentong, this year’s festival offered a full day of prayers, blessings, offerings and merit-making activities, providing visitors with meaningful opportunities to connect with Buddha’s timeless teachings on compassion, wisdom and inner peace.
This year’s Wesak coincided with the Tibetan Buddhist occasion of Saga Dawa Duchen, one of the most sacred days in the Buddhist calendar when the karmic results of positive actions are believed to be multiplied many times over. Throughout the day, guests participated in pujas, Buddha bathing, animal liberation, light offerings, refuge and vow ceremonies, sutra writing, blessings and charitable activities designed to cultivate virtue and compassion.
One of the highlights of this year’s celebration was the enthusiastic participation of families and pet owners, with over 400 furkids joining their human pawrents for special pet blessings and a day of spiritual activities in the forest. The pet-friendly initiative reflects our commitment to making Buddhist values accessible and relevant to modern communities while encouraging kindness towards all sentient beings.
The festival also featured a vibrant vegetarian food fair and community bazaar, children’s activities, a blood donation drive and a charity raffle draw, creating an inclusive environment where visitors from different backgrounds could come together in celebration and service. These activities embodied the spirit of generosity, community care and interfaith harmony that lies at the heart of Wesak.
We were honoured by the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including Mr Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director-General (Promotions II) of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Mr Sue Chee Thong, Political Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Dato’ Yong Yoon Li and Datin Grace Yong of Royal Selangor; Datuk May Phng; Datin Low Wee Chin; Datin Rena Loo Kwai Noi; Ms Gulshan Kaur Rai and Mr Mandeep Singh Sidhu of Veg-Hub; Ms Kinnix Chan of Etix Digital; as well as representatives from Hospital Bentong Blood Bank and Klinik Kesihatan Bentong.
Their presence, alongside the support of sponsors, partners, vendors and community organisations, contributed to the success of the event and reflected the growing recognition of Wesak as a platform for fostering compassion, understanding and social responsibility.
The festival’s success would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their time, energy and skills in the months leading up to the event. From event planning and logistics to hospitality, food preparation, registration and guest services, volunteers played an indispensable role in creating a welcoming and uplifting experience for all who attended.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all sponsors, donors, volunteers, supporters and visitors whose contributions helped make this year’s Wesak Festival a memorable celebration of faith, community and compassion.
As the holy month of Saga Dawa draws to a close, we rejoice in the collective merits created through this auspicious occasion and dedicate them towards peace, harmony, good health and happiness for all beings.
May the blessings of Wesak continue to inspire greater kindness, wisdom and compassion in our daily lives.
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One of the highlights of this year’s celebration was the enthusiastic participation of families and pet owners, with over 400 furkids joining their human pawrents for special pet blessings and a day of spiritual activities in the forest. The pet-friendly initiative reflects our commitment to making Buddhist values accessible and relevant to modern communities while encouraging kindness towards all sentient beings.
The festival also featured a vibrant vegetarian food fair and community bazaar, children’s activities, a blood donation drive and a charity raffle draw, creating an inclusive environment where visitors from different backgrounds could come together in celebration and service. These activities embodied the spirit of generosity, community care and interfaith harmony that lies at the heart of Wesak.
We were honoured by the presence of numerous distinguished guests, including Mr Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director-General (Promotions II) of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board; Mr Sue Chee Thong, Political Secretary to the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture; Tan Sri Yong Poh Kon, Dato’ Yong Yoon Li and Datin Grace Yong of Royal Selangor; Datuk May Phng; Datin Low Wee Chin; Datin Rena Loo Kwai Noi; Ms Gulshan Kaur Rai and Mr Mandeep Singh Sidhu of Veg-Hub; Ms Kinnix Chan of Etix Digital; as well as representatives from Hospital Bentong Blood Bank and Klinik Kesihatan Bentong.
Their presence, alongside the support of sponsors, partners, vendors and community organisations, contributed to the success of the event and reflected the growing recognition of Wesak as a platform for fostering compassion, understanding and social responsibility.
The festival’s success would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of hundreds of volunteers who dedicated their time, energy and skills in the months leading up to the event. From event planning and logistics to hospitality, food preparation, registration and guest services, volunteers played an indispensable role in creating a welcoming and uplifting experience for all who attended.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all sponsors, donors, volunteers, supporters and visitors whose contributions helped make this year’s Wesak Festival a memorable celebration of faith, community and compassion.
As the holy month of Saga Dawa draws to a close, we rejoice in the collective merits created through this auspicious occasion and dedicate them towards peace, harmony, good health and happiness for all beings.
May the blessings of Wesak continue to inspire greater kindness, wisdom and compassion in our daily lives.