Leader of the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Foundation, Pandita Liyas Masri, said that the temple has been holding the bazaar every year to mark the Buddhist sacred day since 2000.
"This bazaar runs only on the D-Day of Vesak. There are 40 booths offering various Indonesian meals and drinks. We involve cooks from Riau Islands and Singapore," he disclosed in Batam on Monday.
Masri further said that none of the foods and beverages, priced between Rp10 thousand (US$0.60) and Rp30 thousand (US$1.80), sold at this year's bazaar contained animal ingredients.
"We can guarantee that all the menus are halal and made from plant-based ingredients, although eggs and milk were used, as some vegetarians do not oppose these items," he explained.
He informed that the attendants manning the booths at the bazaar were mainly pupils from the Maitreya School and Buddhist volunteers.
Besides organizing the bazaar, he added, the temple observed Vesak Day by bathing a statue of the Buddha, a ritual symbolizing self-purification.
"We believe that each individual, as a spiritual being, holds a 'fragment of Buddha' deep inside their soul. This ritual serves as a reminder for us to watch our minds, words, and behavior," he explained.
He said the temple was expected to see up to 10 thousand visitors on Monday, noting that the ongoing Vesak Day celebrations are open to people across religions.
"We believe that every living being has the potential for love and that humans are taught to become a light of guidance for one another," he added.
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Translator: Amandine N, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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