40 Thudong Monks Will Take Part in Vesak Celebrations in Indonesia

Apart from celebrating Vesak 2568 BE/2024 at Borobudur Temple, they will go to Muaro Jambi Temple in Jambi on May 26.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Thudong rite of passage, May 2023.

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — A total of 40 monks who carry out the Thudong ritual are scheduled to take part in the entire series of events celebrating the Holy Triad Vesak 2568 BE/2024 in Indonesia. Apart from taking part in a series of welcoming events to the peak of the celebration at Borobudur Temple in Magelang Regency, Central Java, on 21-23 May 2024, they will go to Muaro Jambi Temple in Jambi, 26 May.

Deputy Chair of the Vesak Committee 2568 BE/2024 YM Bikkhu Dhammavuddho Thera welcomed the presence and involvement of the monks who performed Thudong in this Vesak celebration. The Thudong tradition that they carry out also shows the practice of being patient with the people.

"According to the teachings of the Buddha, patience is the highest dharma practice," he said, Thursday (9/5/2024).

The 40 monks came from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

Also read: Arriving at Borobudur Temple, Monk Thudong Wants to Always Return to Indonesia

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Monk Thudong endures the scorching sun.

The presence of the monk group performing Thudong is the second time, after similar involvement was also carried out in the celebration of Waisak in 2023. However, this is the first time the Thudong tradition is carried out by the monks in exploring two major temples in Indonesia, Borobudur Temple and Muaro Jambi Temple.

The Chairperson of the Thudong 2024 Committee, Susi Yang, stated that, apart from preserving the exemplary values of the Buddha, the Thudong tradition in Indonesia is also expected to have a positive impact on promoting religious tolerance in Indonesia.

"Let's together support the implementation of Thudong and show the world that Indonesian people live in harmony and tolerance," he said.

In Central Java, Buddhist monks are starting the Thudong tradition from Semarang on May 15, 2024. After walking and stopping at several viharas and temples in Ambarawa and Temanggung, on May 21, 2024, they will be involved in taking the Dharma flame in Mrapen, Grobogan Regency, and the sanctification of the flame at Mendut Temple, Magelang Regency.

The event will continue with the sacred water retrieval ceremony at Umbul Jumprit, Temanggung Regency, and its ritual consecration at Candi Mendut. Lastly, the monks will participate in the high point of the 2568 BE/2024 Waisak Tri Suci celebration at Candi Borobudur, Magelang Regency on May 23.

The National Waisak Coordinator for 2568 BE/2024, Eric Fernardo, stated that based on last year's celebration, the entire Buddhist community present at the Waisak celebration at Borobudur Temple will reach tens of thousands of people.

Also read: Monks' Thudong Ritual Welcomed by Indonesian Friendly Faces

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

Tourists visited Borobudur Temple during the Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting event at Lumbini Park, Borobudur Tourist Park Complex, Magelang, Central Java, on Friday (July 21, 2023).

As the number of people allowed to attend the celebration in zone 1 of the temple is limited to only 5,000 individuals, the remaining faithful are welcome to participate in the celebration in zone 2 at Lumbini Park.

"At Lumbini Park, people can still take part in the celebrations broadcast on LED screens," he said.

The Sub-coordinator of the Borobudur World Heritage Cultural Conservation Museum (MCB), Wiwit Kasiyati, stated that they intentionally imposed restrictions on people in zone 1. In addition to supporting the preservation of the temple building, this is done solely for the comfort of the community, visitors, and anyone in the area.