Army to create Malaysia’s first ever Vesak pandol

Saturday, 28 April 2018 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Arrangements are underway to put up the first-ever Vesak pandol erected by the Army in Malaysia on account of the forthcoming Vesak season, in an attempt to show the glamour and significance of Vesak spirits to Malaysians.

Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, who paid a visit to the Brickfield Buddhist temple in Kuala Lumpur while he was in Malaysia to attend the 16th edition of the Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition – 2018 and its Conference during 16-19 April inquired into the progress of the project of erecting the first-ever Vesak pandol for sight-seers to coincide with the noble Birth, Enlightenment and the Parinirvana (Passing-away) of the Buddha.

The chief incumbent in his anusasana (brief talk) to the Commander extolled the supply of Army expertise and the manpower for erection of this 60 ft tall Vesak pandol with thousands of illuminations of multi coloured nature which would further stimulate Buddhist devotion and its sacred spirits. The monk also appreciated the support of the Army for a mega responsibility of this nature in a foreign land which is largely occupied by non-Buddhists.

A group of Corps of Engineer Services (CES) troops as per directions of the Commander of the Army are to begin the erection of this historic structure in Kuala Lumpur shortly.

A little later, Lieutenant General Senanayake paid a visit to the Sentul Buddhist Temple and met the incumbent in the temple. During his stay in both these temples, the Commander paid his obeisance to both resident Sri Lankan monks and made inquiries into their well-being and ongoing missionary work in both temples. Before his exit from both temples, the Commander offered symbolic mementos to incumbents.