More than 5,500 monks, nuns, Buddhists disciples and officials gathered in Hong Kong Friday morning in front of the landmark building of the Conference and Exposition Center to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday, which falls on May 5 this year.

A grand Buddhist service and ceremony was held to commemorate the birth of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism, as monks and nuns crossed their palms and chanted Buddhist scripture.

"The grand celebration of the Lord Buddha's Birthday is a vivid eyewitness of social stability and unity in Hong Kong," Rev Kok-kwong, President of Hong Kong Federation of Buddhists said after officiating the ceremony.

"We Buddhists in Hong Kong should contribute our parts to strengthen cooperation with other Buddhists and bring peace to the society," the Buddhist master said.

Hong Kong has currently about 800,000 Buddhist disciples, making Buddhist the religion that has the largest followers in the city. A series of Buddhist service and ceremony will be held every year to celebrate the Buddha's Birthday, which was declared a public holiday in Hong Kong since 1997.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2006)