印度尼西亚可能是这个世界上穆斯林人口最多的国家,但它与佛教也有很深的历史渊源。

Indonesia may be the world's most populous Muslim country in the world, but it has a deep historical tie with Buddhism.

How do you celebrate the birth of the man who has attained perfect enlightenment?
Vesak day or better known as Buddha's birthday marks the birth, the enlightenment and the death of Gautama Buddha, on whose teachings the Buddhist religion was founded.
Monk Tadisa Mahasthavira, Chair of Mahayana Buddhist Int'l, said, "It's a celebration of the meaning of Buddhism and to commemorate Buddha's greatest blessing, his teachings"
The holiest day of the Buddhist religion is celebrated with solemn chants and meditation by thousands of devotees from around the world.
The pilgrims walk between three temples in central java, from mendut to payon and finally borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world.
The 123 meter high temple was built during the time when Indonesia was one of the centers of Buddhism, before the shift to Islam in the 14th century and becoming the world's largest Muslim population today.
The deep historical ties between the two religion has always been an important symbol of unity for the country.
Andy Saputra, Borobudur Temple, Central Java, said, "The masterpiece, borobudur was built in the 9th century and as it has been for years, it will be the pinnacle of today's celebration and one of the shining example of religious tolerance"
This unesco heritage site is an important pilgrimage center, Buddhists from all over the world flocked the temple every year during vesak day and with only 2% of the population here is Buddhist, this celebration also served an important tool in preserving one of Indonesia's oldest religion.
Monk Tadisa Mahasthavira, Chair of Mahayana Buddhist Int'l, said, "The rituals and the sites serves as an important reminder for the young generation, they can experience, understand and hopefully pass on the teachings and history of Buddhism"
The monks and visitors walk around the temple 3 times as a sign of deep respect to the holy Buddha while meditating for their inner piece.
The celebration is ended by releasing thousand of lanterns into the night sky, the light signifies an offering to the memory of the Buddha who delivered the teachings of Buddhism.