The Essence of Loving Kindness During Waisak

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

A Buddhist worshiper at Vihara Hemadhiro Mettavati, Kapuk, Cengkareng, West Jakarta, Wednesday (26/5/2021).

The national commemoration of Waisak at Borobudur Temple was canceled for the second year in a row because of the pandemic, but the solemnity of Waisak did not subside.

At Borobudur Temple, dozens of Buddhists continued to carry out the upasata mandala worship service. The worship service was followed by pradaksina (circling the temple three times).

Bhante Ditthi Sampano of Sangha Agung Indonesia said Waisak 2565 BE was carried out under government health protocols. Buddhists, who usually gather in the tens of thousands at Borobudur Temple in Magelang for the national commemoration of Waisak, were hardly seen. This was similar to the situation in 2020.

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Even though the event had to be adjusted because of the pandemic, the solemnity and devotion of Waisak was recorded in several regions. In Krecek hamlet in Kaloran district, Temanggung regency, Central Java, residents held a procession of a statue of the Buddha to several sanctified places. They wore traditional clothes as part of a culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Similar activities were seen in Mahavihara Buddhamanggala, Balikpapan city, East Kalimantan, as well as at Metta Vihara, Tegal city, Central Java. In Jakarta, the commemoration took place at JiExpo Kemayoran and was attended by Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and representatives of the central government, including the central executive board chair of the Council of Buddhist Communities (Walubi), Hartati Murdaya, and a number of Buddhist community representatives (Kompas, 26/5/2021).

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Residents parade the Buddha statue to several sanctified places during the Waisak celebration at Krecek Hamlet, Getas Village, Kaloran District, Temanggung Regency, Central Java, Wednesday (26/5/2021).

Monk Sri Subhapannyo Mahathera, as quoted in an article on Waisak in this paper on Tuesday (25/5/2021), said that in the commemoration of Waisak, thoughts of loving kindness without limits were to be pursued. He said loving kindness contained the idea of "something that softens the heart", overcoming all violence and hatred. It appeared as an impulse or intention to wish for happiness for all beings and seek their welfare.

Loving kindness is not based on lust or favoritism and does not differentiate among family, race, nation, religion, politics, social status or cultural ties. With loving kindness, a person unites himself with, or does not differentiate himself from, other creatures. The ego or "I" dissolves into wholeness, like a drop of water entering the ocean.

With loving kindness, a person unites himself with, or does not differentiate himself from, other creatures.

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The message is clear that the essence of Waisak, as well as many other religious holidays, is in changing our attitude. To what extent can we change our behavior in life after this commemoration? What is the point of commemorating, especially with excitement or debauchery, if it is not essentially followed by behavioral changes?

In short, it doesn\'t matter if Waisak takes place in the midst of simplicity, without the usual crowd of tens of thousands, as long as people really live up to the spirit of boundless love.

This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo.