Magha Puja, Meaning of the Ordination of 1250 Monks & the 1200th Year of the Founding of Borobudur Temple
Thousands of Buddhists performed Magha Puja at Borobudur Temple, Magelang Regency, Saturday (9/03/2024). The Magha Puja worship procession was held to commemorate the gathering of 1.250 monks who received direct guidance from Buddha Gautama without being invited, as well as to commemorate 1.200 years since Borobudur Temple was built.
Hundreds of Buddhists from various regions gathered at Kenari field, zone I of Borobudur Temple to follow the Magha Puja procession until the end. The Magha Puja ritual ends with performing pradaksina or circling Borobudur Temple in a clockwise direction.
Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religion, Supriyadi, said that this event was an effort by Buddhists to give meaning to President Joko Widodo's policy of making Borobudur Temple the center of Buddhist worship in Indonesia and the world.
"This is the second time that friends from the extended family of Buddhayana Indonesia have held the Magha Puja Commemoration, which this year was held on March 9, 2024. Even though it was raining so heavily, the congregation, with full awareness of a true spiritual commitment, remained present and persevered," explained Supriyadi.
Meanwhile, the General Chairman of the Central Executive Board of the Great Sangha of Indonesia, Bhante YM Khemacaro Mahathera said, Magha Puja Day is one of the great Buddhist celebrations. Especially in Indonesia, it is usually held in monasteries.
“This is the second year that the Indonesian Supreme Sangha together with the Indonesian Buddhayana family have asked for government support to carry out the Magha Puja Day activities nationally at Borobudur Temple,” said Bhante Khemacaro.
Magha Puja is considered important, said Khemacaro, as it commemorates the first gathering of 1.250 monks who were ordained directly by Gautama Buddha.
"They (monks) gather without being invited and have the highest level of holiness in Buddhism, during the Full Moon and Buddha gives his last advice before Buddha dies," he continued.
Bhante Khemacaro added, this Magha Puja will be used as a calendar that is routinely carried out every year. This activity will be held every March.
On the same occasion, the Head of Pusdiklat Catra Jinnadhammo Bhante YM Thitavamso Thera added that this Magha Puja was the second time at Borobudur Temple.
"Especially this year marks 1.200 (years of Borobudur Temple). This moment is also a good moment for Indonesian Buddhists to be grateful that the establishment of Borobudur, even though it is seen as a physical building, can actually provide benefits, welfare to the nation and state and also to the world," he said.
"This is Borobudur which then became a place for religious tourism visits as well as how we strengthen this policy. At the same time, Buddhists contribute to how to work and involve all components of society, especially around Borobudur Temple," he concluded.
Meanwhile, GM of Borobudur Jamaludin Mawardi supports the Magha Puja procession that attracts the attention of thousands of Buddhists from various regions. This series of processions is expected to help encourage spiritual tourism activities that echo quality tourism in the Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) Borobudur.
"We hope that this activity will add to the series of spiritual activities in the Borobudur area. This is certainly expected to encourage quality tourism in Borobudur," he concluded.
