Leader of the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Foundation, Pandita Liyas Masri, remarked in Batam on Wednesday that his side had readied as many as 30 thousand portions of vegetarian meals, including fried rice noodles, fried noodles, fried rice, mixed rice dishes, and a variety of vegetables.
"We are offering 10 menus served in seven to eight buffet-style rows. Thus, visitors are welcome to help themselves," he remarked.
Masri then noted that the monastery foundation employed around 300 individuals to prepare the vegetarian foods.
"Consuming vegetarian meals on the first day of the new year serves as our way of avoiding non-plant-based foods and showing our love for life. Hopefully, our lives will proceed smoothly and be loved by nature and others," he stated.
Furthermore, the temple's representative underscored that the varied vegetarian meals are available not only for Chinese and Confucian residents but also for the public in general.
He then appealed to the visitors to exercise prudence while enjoying the meals to prevent food waste.
"We would like to urge visitors to respect food. It is important that we celebrate goodness by consuming food according to our portions," he remarked, adding that the meals are available for all residents from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
Masri then remarked that thousands of Batam Chinese Indonesians had visited the Confucian monastery to celebrate Lunar New Year since morning, with the total count of visitors projected to reach 30 thousand today.
He also noted that Chinese New Year celebrations at the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple are focused on two activities: religious rituals and dining sessions.
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Translator: Jessica A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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