East Java Tourism News

Indonesian Buddhists celebrate Waisak at Borobudur

Magelang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Buddhist community celebrated their holy day of Waisak in many parts of the country on Tuesday.

The biggest celebrations took place at Borobodur and Mendut temples in Magelang District, Central Java.

Around 15,000 Buddhists from Central Java, West java, Jakarta, East Java, Kalimantan, Bali and Sulawesi flocked to Mendut and Borobudur temples to observe the birth of Sidharta Gautama, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Indonesian Grand Sangha Conference (KASI) Waisak 2008 Sugiyanto said here on Tuesday.

“At least 15,000 Buddhists are attending the celebration here, we have provided around 28,000 bottles of scared water up to now (at about 11.30 am local time), and all have been distributed to the congregation ,” he said.

The Waisak day marks the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar and celebrations take place at Buddhist temples throughout Java.

After meditation, the Buddhists walked a distance of around three kilometers from Mendut Temple to Borobodur Yemple , passing Pawon Temple on the way.

“We give priority to make this ritual more sacred, because in the past Mendut and Borobudur temples were actual Buddhist shrines,” he said.

Borobudur , one of the world`s largest ancient Buddhist temples, was chosen as the center of the Waisak celebration in order to preserve the temple which has been named as a world cultural heritage, he said.

The spectacular Buddhist monument was built in the ninth century and provides a fitting backdrop for the occasion.

Waisak celebrations were also held among other things in Pangkalpinang (Bangka Belitung), Palu (Central Sulawesi), Denpasar (Bali), and Semarang (Central Java). (*)

Magelang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s Buddhist community celebrated their holy day of Waisak in many parts of the country on Tuesday.

The biggest celebrations took place at Borobodur and Mendut temples in Magelang District, Central Java.

Around 15,000 Buddhists from Central Java, West java, Jakarta, East Java, Kalimantan, Bali and Sulawesi flocked to Mendut and Borobudur temples to observe the birth of Sidharta Gautama, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Indonesian Grand Sangha Conference (KASI) Waisak 2008 Sugiyanto said here on Tuesday.

“At least 15,000 Buddhists are attending the celebration here, we have provided around 28,000 bottles of scared water up to now (at about 11.30 am local time), and all have been distributed to the congregation ,” he said.

The Waisak day marks the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar and celebrations take place at Buddhist temples throughout Java.

After meditation, the Buddhists walked a distance of around three kilometers from Mendut Temple to Borobodur Yemple , passing Pawon Temple on the way.

“We give priority to make this ritual more sacred, because in the past Mendut and Borobudur temples were actual Buddhist shrines,” he said.

Borobudur , one of the world`s largest ancient Buddhist temples, was chosen as the center of the Waisak celebration in order to preserve the temple which has been named as a world cultural heritage, he said.

The spectacular Buddhist monument was built in the ninth century and provides a fitting backdrop for the occasion.

Waisak celebrations were also held among other things in Pangkalpinang (Bangka Belitung), Palu (Central Sulawesi), Denpasar (Bali), and Semarang (Central Java). (*)

Source: ANTARA News

Add comment May 21st, 2008

Cinta Lingkungan, Cermin Kematangan Spiritual

Pesan Waisak 2552 Be
SURABAYA - Umat Buddha di Surabaya kemarin memperingati hari raya Waisak 2008/2552 Be secara khidmat. Sejak pagi umat Buddha membanjiri vihara. Mereka melakukan rangkaian ibadah memperingati peristiwa Tri Suci Waisak.

Seperti di Vihara Mahavira Graha Surabaya. Sejak pagi, sekitar 200 umat duduk rapi memanjatkan doa dengan melafalkan puji-pujian Namo Sakya Muni Buddha. Doa itu berisi pujian tentang perilaku dan sifat sang Buddha. Selang beberapa saat, upacara dilanjutkan dengan Sa Tjing. Yaitu, Biksuni Chuan Huei, sebagai pemimpin kebaktian mencipratkan air ke jemaat.

Prosesi dilanjutkan dengan upacara pradasigna. Mereka berjalan mengitari ruang ibadah tiga kali diiringi bebunyian lonceng Buddha. Pada putaran ketiga, mereka menyiramkan air ke patung Sidharta Gautama yang terletak di tengah-tengah kolam sembilan naga. Kebaktian diakhiri dengan berdoa di hadapan rupang Buddha.

Dalam peringatan hari Waisak tahun ini, vihara di Jl Pasar Besar Wetan No 8 Surabaya itu mengambil tema menjaga kelestarian lingkungan. “Umur dunia semakin tua, karena itu perlu sikap bijak agar kondisi lingkungan tetap kondusif,” kata Biksuni Chuan Huei usai memimpin kebaktian.

Menurut dia, sikap tersebut sangat diperlukan, mengingat alam telah memberikan tanda-tandanya. Seperti, bencana yang terjadi di banyak tempat. Selain itu, dalam kondisi bangsa seperti sekarang ini, diperlukan kesadaran untuk berbuat kebajikan dengan cara membantu sesama.

Ajaran untuk selalu melestarikan lingkungan telah dicontohkan sang Buddha. Prajnavira Mahasthavira, pimpinan Vihara Mahariva Graha mencontohkan bukti yang ada pada relief di sejumlah candi, seperti Borobudur dan Candi Pawon. Di sana terdapat ukiran pohon kehidupan yang melambangkan keseimbangan ekosistem.

Menurut dia, lambang pohon itu memberikan pelajaran agar manusia selalu menjaga keseimbangan lingkungan sembari melaksanakan praktik spiritual. “Cinta lingkungan merupakan cermin kematangan spiritual dan salah satu bentuk greget untuk memajukan kualitas hidup,” ucapnya.

Suasana serupa terjadi di Vihara Dhamma Jaya. Sekitar 500 umat Buddha sejak pukul 07.45 menjubeli vihara yang terletak di Jl Bulu Jaya, Lakarsantri itu. Umat yang mengenakan pakaian putih hitam itu berbaris mengelilingi vihara sembari membawa aneka buah, lilin, dan bunga sedap malam.

Setelah tiga kali berputar, umat memasuki Dhammasala dan meletakkan buah, bunga, dan lilin di atas meja altar. Upacara dilanjutkan dengan pembacaan paritha suci Jaya Manggala Gatha. Isinya, kisah kemenangan sang Buddha yang terdiri atas 12 judul selama 30 menit. Pembacaan kisah itu untuk menunggu datangnya detik-detik Waisak yang jatuh pada 09.05.

Dalam khotbahnya, Romo Pandita Widya Kusuma mengingatkan umat akan kisah Buddha yang rela meninggalkan harta, takhta, wanita, dan keluarga untuk menjadi seorang pertapa. Buddha keluar masuk hutan dan hidup sengsara sekitar enam tahun. “Itu dilakukan semata-mata untuk menghindarkan manusia dari penderitaan,” ucapnya.

Karena itulah, dia meminta umat merenungkan kembali cita-cita dan tujuan sang Buddha jika ingin menghormatinya. “Salah satunya peduli terhadap lingkungan, masyarakat, dan penderitaan orang lain,” kata Ketua Dayaka Sabha Vihara Dhamma Jaya itu.

Suasana khidmat juga terasa di Vihara Vimalakirti. Di vihara yang terletak di Jl Tanggulangin 6 Surabaya itu, umat Niciren Syosyu melakukan sembahyang. Mereka membaca mantra agung Namyohorengkekyo sambil membawa buah-buahan dan meletakkannya di meja altar. Mereka juga membaca buku doa Kyobon setebal 32 halaman. (eko/nw)

Source: Jawa Pos Online

Add comment May 21st, 2008