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Magelang. Thousands of faithful Buddhists from previously contentious communities flocked to the majestic Borobudur Temple on Friday in a show of unity to mark the annual Waisak holiday, celebrating the Buddha’s birth, death and enlightenment.

The two sparring congregations had never before celebrated the day together.

The Indonesian Buddhist Council (Walubi) and the Buddhist Conference of the Mighty Sangha Indonesia (KASI), the country’s two major Buddhist associations, previously took turns hosting celebrations at the ninth-century temple on alternate years, but temple manager Pudjo Suwarno said this year marked a thaw in relations.

“We’re thankful they chose to celebrate Waisak together in the temple courtyard,” he said, adding they had put aside their ideological differences for the day.

Waisak is held to commemorate the three great moments of the life of Gautama Buddha: his birth, nirvana and death.

Celebrations began at 6:07 a.m. with the “Puja Bhakti” meditation and ended at 2 p.m. with the “Bhakti Puja” meditation.

In between, participants took part in separate parades whose routes were determined by Walubi and KASI.

Walubi members began at the entrance to Borobudur, went down Jalan Sampula, Jalan Raya Syailendra, the Borobudur Market and on to the western edge of Borobudur.

KASI members, meanwhile, started at the midway point between Mendut and Pawon temples before ending at the southeast edge of Borobudur.

The morning mediation was led by Bhiku Samira Paramita Sabhita, who spoke on the theme of “Building the Character of Nations to Implement Dharma by Spreading the Seeds of Goodness.”

“Being human is the most beautiful gift,” he said. “However, abstaining from hatred, envy and acts of stupidity is a very heavy task. Let us always strive to do good.”

A group of 150 monks from Thailand was to attend the event but few came, due to the political turmoil in the country.

“Only 30 pilgrims from the Sangha Theravada and Damayut monasteries showed up at Borobudur,” said Walubi Central Java chairman David Hermanwijaya.

The runup to the celebration began on Monday, when monks took holy water from Umbul Jumprit Lake on the slopes of Mount Sindoro, two hours by car from Borobudur.

Unlike in previous years, the holy water was taken to Borobudur Temple instead of being stored at Mendut Temple, where it was used in prayer ceremonies led in turn by monks from the Sangha Mahayana, Theravada and Tantrayana monasteries.

The Indonesian Sangha Mahayana abbot of Avalokitesvara Monastery in Jakarta, Dwi Virya, said the holy water symbolized the Buddha’s humbleness.

“Pride will only bring harm to ourselves and others,” he said.

On Tuesday, monks brought back a fire from an eternal flame in nearby Mrapen, Purwodadi.

“Fire is a symbol of enlightenment for the human soul to attain nirvana,” Virya said.

On Friday, monks sprinkled holy water on worshipers after the morning meditation, and at night participants lit candles and lanterns.

Police said 10,000 people took part in Friday’s celebration.