Developing Noble Values through Borobudur Spiritual Activities
Magelang, August 18, 2024 – The management of Borobudur Temple, a World Heritage Site, is not only for conservation, education, and tourism, but also for spiritual purposes. Activities organized by various Buddhist assemblies, sanghas, and associations present the embodiment of Buddha through the noble values, wisdom, and spirituality enshrined in Borobudur Temple.
The series of spiritual activities at Borobudur Temple consists of several major agendas, including Yobanna Borobudur, Ulambana Borobudur and Upasika Rattana. These activities were initiated by various organizations and assemblies and attended by hundreds of Buddhists from various regions and several countries in Asia.
The Yobbana Dhamma Samaya (YDS) activity was held by the Directorate General of Buddhist Community Guidance at the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs as a gathering place for young Buddhists from various countries to study Buddhist teachings together in the Borobudur area. The event, themed "Spiritual Entrepreneurship, " was opened by the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Saiful Rahmat Dasuki, and aimed to motivate young people to face global competition, especially in the fields of technology, communications, economics, and development.
Participants of Yobbana Dhamma Samaya (YDS) 2024 are delegates of the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY) from various countries, including Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. The activity was also attended by 300 youths from various regions in Indonesia.
The 2024 Borobudur Ulambana National Light Puja of 50 Lamps at the Great Borobudur Temple is a collaborative event of three sangha groups: Theravada, Mahayana, and Tantrayana. The ceremony, initiated by the Indonesian Nyingma Community Council (MUNI), is a sign of family devotion and the transfer of merit ( Pattidana ) to ancestors.
Devotees from three sanghas took turns chanting prayers and were attended by around 50 monks. The Mahayana Sangha is led by Venerable Bhikkhu Samantha Kusala Mahasthavira, the Theravada Sangha is led by Venerable Bhante Wongsin Labhiko Mahathera while the Tantrayana Sangha is led by Venerable Serling Tulku Yongdzin Rinpoche.
Ulambana participants also read the Ulambana sutra, perform devotional puja and meditation, offer paramitha offerings to members of the sangha, perform the kshamayati repentance procedure for the bad karma they have committed and cultivate good deeds for their ancestors and all beings.
The highlight of Borobudur Ulambana was the lighting of 50 lamps in the shape of five Buddhas, accompanied by prayers from the three Sangha in attendance. The candlelight ceremony also included prayers for those who had registered.
Meanwhile, Upasika Rattana is an activity to deepen the values of Buddha Dhamma to carry out the eight precepts which will be held on August 17-21, 2024. This activity includes an ordaining ceremony, pradaksina, candlelight and meditation at Bukit Dagi, in the Borobudur Temple Tourism Park complex.
InJourney Destination Management as the manager of the Borobudur Temple tourist destination encourages the implementation of religious activities in the Borobudur Temple area. The use of Borobudur Temple for religious activities is a real step by the government in realizing the strategic program of Super Priority Tourism Destinations initiated by President Joko Widodo.
"Borobudur Temple as the largest sacred Buddhist mandala in the world is a source of spiritual values, nobility, and universal humanity. Through these spiritual activities, it is hoped that people can understand more deeply about Borobudur which plays a role in preserving, not only its physical form, but also the noble values within it," explained GM of Borobudur AY Suhartanto in Borobudur, Magelang, Sunday (18/8/2024).
The development and utilization of the Borobudur Temple religious destination in an integrative manner must be interpreted as one of the important aspects in the World Cultural Heritage preservation program.
"As a cultural heritage of the noble ancestors of the Indonesian nation, the preservation of Borobudur Temple needs to be maintained by expanding the existing insights and noble values. This is in line with efforts to present quality tourism in the region.
