Blessing in Harmony Borobudur, InJourney Collaborates with MBMI to Present Pabbajja Samanera

PT Aviasi Pariwisata Indonesia (Persero) or InJourney and its subsidiary, PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko (TWC), support the implementation of the Temporary Pabbajja Samanera which will take place from 17–28 December 2023 at the Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur complex, Magelang, Central Java. This activity was attended by 500 prospective monks (samanera), who came from various regions in Indonesia as well as participants from Thailand, Russia, Belgium and Australia.

The procession initiated by the Indonesian Mahanikaya Buddhist Religious Council (MBMI) is a form of character building training for prospective monks and Buddhists as a whole. This activity is also useful for advancing universal moral and spiritual values ​​so that it can become a beacon of peace for the entire nation.

"Through the Temporary Pabbajja Samanera, it is hoped that it can participate in efforts to preserve and promote Borobudur Temple as a World Cultural Heritage and Super Priority Tourism Destination that has universal value as well as being an attraction for domestic and foreign tourists so that in the end it can help the community improve its economy," explained the President Director of PT Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan and Ratu Boko Febrina Intan in Magelang, Central Java, Monday (25/12/2023).

During the 10-day implementation of the Pabbajja Samanera Borobudur 2023, various series of activities were carried out, such as the hair-cutting ceremony, Pabbajja Samanera ordination ceremony, Almsgiving, Candlelight Sangha Dana and Lantern Flying.

This series is closed with the Thudong procession. Thudong is a ritual journey of the monks on foot. The Thudong ritual on the Temporary Pabbajja Samanera is carried out by covering a distance of about 13 kilometers, which passes through four temples in Magelang Regency, namely Ngawen Temple in Muntilan District, Mendut Temple in Mungkid District, and Pawon Temple and ends at Borobudur Temple.

This series is a moral and spiritual character formation for prospective novices who are expected to be able to provide inspiration and moral examples and positive contributions to the Indonesian nation.

"This series of Temporary Pabbajja Samanera activities opens up the widest possible opportunities for the entire Buddhist community in the world to be able to practice virtue, so that as this activity continues, it is hoped that in the future it will become an option for everyone to come and fulfill their determination to implement the practice of virtue, even as a participant," said the Chairman. MBMI General, Agus Jaya.

In maintaining the harmony and grandeur of Borobudur Temple, InJourney is pushing Borobudur Temple to become one of the main tourist destinations in Indonesia. InJourney ensures that Borobudur Temple can be beneficial by maintaining balance as a tourist destination but also upholding spiritual values. 

"Restoring the function of Borobudur Temple as one of the centers of spiritual tourism destinations is our commitment. Gratefully, this was welcomed by MBMI, so that during the Christmas and New Year holidays, we can also carry out the Pabbajja Samanera Borobudur 2023," said InJourney's Director of Marketing and Tourism Programs, Maya Watono. 
It is hoped that the implementation of the temporary Pabbajja Samanera will run smoothly and become a momentum in uniting the spirit of collaboration of all stakeholder and community elements to encourage Borobudur Temple to become a spiritual tourism destination for Buddhists throughout the world and encourage Borobudur Temple to become a means of cultural heritage education and a driver of economic activities for the community in the area around Borobudur Temple.