The Indonesian Minister of Culture Attends the Ageng Boyongan Mbah Bhelet Ritual at Borobudur Temple
Indonesian Minister of Culture Fadli Zon attended the Ageng Boyongan Mbah Bhelet ritual to initiate the transfer of the statue. Unfinished Buddha or known by the local community as Mbah Bhelet in the Borobudur Temple area, Magelang, Central Java, Sunday (3/5/2026).
The relocation of this statue is part of the development of cultural values at Borobudur Temple. Originally found inside the main stupa of Borobudur Temple, the statue was previously housed in the Karmawibhangga Museum, located within the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park complex.
According to the plan, the statue will be moved to Kenari field to make it more easily accessible to the general public, tourists, and pilgrims to carry out spiritual activities.
"The relocation of this statue was done in consultation with artists, cultural figures, local figures, and Bhante and Bhikkhu. The hope is that placing this statue in Kenari Square will convey stronger cultural and spiritual values while making it more accessible," explained Fadli.
The relocation of the Unfinished Buddha statue also involved the Borobudur Village Traditional Institution. The ceremony also featured a Wayang Ruwat performance by Ki Dalam Darmo Widjoyo and prayers with local religious leaders to seek blessings to mark the sacredness of the new location.
"Through this ritual, we see a journey, a spiritual journey, aimed at gaining blessings and goodness, as well as complementing and perfecting what we already have," he said.
Archaeologically, the Unfinished Buddha is a statue considered unfinished due to imperfect carving. Its existence opens up opportunities for scientific interpretation and reflects the unique layers of Indonesian civilization and history.
The Minister of Culture emphasized that the entire arrangement process, including the construction of the statue's pedestal, is targeted to be completed on time to welcome the 2026 Vesak Tri Suci celebrations.
"We are pushing for the pedestal and statue to be completed before the Vesak Tri Suci celebration on May 31, 2026," Fadli emphasized.
In addition to participating in the Ageng Boyongan Mbah Bhelet ritual, the Minister of Culture also had the opportunity to visit the Mendut Temple and meet with Bhante Pannavaro Mahathera. He assessed that the Mendut and Borobudur areas are not merely historical sites, but living spaces whose spiritual values must be preserved.
Fadli also highlighted symbols in Buddhist tradition, including the chattra, or umbrella, as a symbol of respect and protection. He noted that this symbol is often found in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple.
"This aligns with our aspiration to make Borobudur a living heritage site, which must be realized, of course with the support of Buddhist organizations and the wider community," said Fadli.
The Minister of Culture also emphasized that the Vesak Tri Suci celebration has a broader dimension than simply a religious moment for Buddhists. He stated that this commemoration is a cultural event rich with meaning for the entire Indonesian nation.
"Wesak is a moment to reflect on the teachings of Dharma as a guide to life, leading to wisdom and compassion, while also strengthening tolerance and unity," he said.
He emphasized that preserving sites like Borobudur must provide real benefits to the community, not only preserving the physical structure but also the values that live within it.
The Ministry of Culture stated that it will continue to promote the strengthening of the national cultural ecosystem. This strategy includes revitalizing cultural sites and museums, accelerating the registration of national cultural heritage, and strengthening the cultural industry as a pillar of sustainable cultural advancement.
The event was also attended by the Director General of Cultural and Tradition Protection of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, Restu Gunawan, Head of Museums and Cultural Heritage, Indira Esti Nurjadin, President Director of InJourney Destination Management, Febrina Intan, Director of Operations of IDM, Indung Purwita Jati, Head of the Central Java Cultural Preservation Center, Riris Purbasari, figures from the Borobudur Village Traditional Institution, and other community figures.
