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1Department of Psychology, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
2South East Asia Community Observatory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Segamat, Malaysia
3Sunway Medical Centre, Subang Jaya, Malaysia
Many psychological researchers have proven the deteriorating effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic on public mental health. In Malaysia, various Covid-19 clusters were associated with religious gatherings. From a cultural psychology perspective, how ethno-religious groups respond to this crisis originating from their unique rationality and ecological systems. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the illness perceptions of major religious groups (Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist) in Malaysia toward the Covid-19 pandemic, their stress levels, and the relationship between illness perception, stress, and forms of religious expression during the loc
GEORGE TOWN: Wesak Day is usually a lively public holiday with chants by monks and devotees seeking blessings and the lighting of joss sticks and lotus-shaped candles at the temples.
THE Malaysian Buddhist Association (MBA) in Burma Road, Penang, will not open its door to the public during the Wesak Day celebration in view of the movement control order (MCO) 3.0.
By Justin Whitaker
From malaymail.com
Officials in Penang, a religiously diverse island near Malaysia’s border with Thailand have announced the founding of the island’s first Buddhist non-profit hospital, the Kek Lok Si Charitable Medical Centre. The center, scheduled to open its doors to the public in May, has pledged to keep fees below those of other charitable hospitals in the area.
Kek Lok Si Charitable Medical Centre will be on the grounds of Kek Lok Si Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. The temple is home to a 36.6-meter bronze statue of Guanyin and a jade Buddha statue believed to be one of the largest in the world made from jade mined in Myanmar and carved in China.
PUTRAJAYA: The National Unity Ministry will put forward views by the Chinese community regarding the SOP for the Lunar New Year celebration to the National Security Council (NSC).
The ministry said it received appeals from the community with regard to the issue of the reunion dinner, which traditionally takes place on the eve, which in this case, falls next Thursday.
It also received appeals to allow prayers at temples on Feb 11,12 and 19.
“The ministry will bring the matter up with NSC. Any announcement on this will be made by Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, ” it said in a statement yesterday where it explained that the SOP for the celebration was drawn up after discussions with representatives from 21 religious bodies, Chinese cultural associations and Chinese chambers of commerce, as well as representatives from Sabah and Sarawak on Jan 12 and 18.