Buddhists Perform Waisak Ceremonies: Central Java

By Barrie | May 31st, 2007 | No Comments

Buddhist monks performed a series of ceremonies last Wednesday in preparation for Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment, or Waisak, which falls on Friday.

In Umbul Jumprit village in Temanggung regency, Central Java, monks collected holy water, which they then took to a blessing ritual at Mendut temple in Magelang.

The water ritual was performed after some 130 monks from Indonesia and Thailand took part in the Pindapata begging ritual at Liong Hok Hio temple in Magelang.

The begging ritual began Wednesday morning with about 20 monks walking around the city carrying boa bowls, seeking donations.

Along the road were people waiting with money or food to give to the monks.

“This is an annual ritual ahead of the Waisak celebration and I am hoping for a blessing by giving the monks a donation,” said Fransiska Suciati, a resident of Magelang.

The series of ceremonies will continue Thursday with the Dharma fire procession in Mrepen, Central Java. The eternal flame will then be taken to be blessed at Mendut temple.

On Thursday night, the ritual will continue with the lighting of Dharma torches around Borobudur temple in Magelang.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to attend the peak of the celebration at Borobudur temple on Friday.

Slamet Susanto and Tarko Sudiarno