Tens of Thousands of Buddhists Follow the National Waisak Pindapata Anthem 2026 in Kemayoran

JAKARTA - The Kemayoran Complex Management Center (PPK Kemayoran) area has again become the location for the 2026 National Gema Waisak Pindapata which was held by the Indonesian Theravada Sangha (STI), Sunday, May 10. The activity was attended by 78 Bhikkhu Sangha and tens of thousands of Buddhists in commemoration of the Waisak Day 2570 BE.

The Pindapata procession took place along Jalan Benyamin Sueb, starting from the Mega Kemayoran Roundabout (MGK) to the BNI Roundabout and back to the starting point. During the procession, the monks walked barefoot while receiving puja offerings in the form of food, clothing, and medicine from Buddhists.

Pindapata is a tradition in Buddhist teachings derived from the Pali language, namely "pinda" which means food and "patta" which means a food bowl. This tradition is a symbol of the practice of monks receiving offerings from the public as a form of practice of generosity and simplicity.

The National Gema Waisak Pindapata 2026 carries the theme "Menapaki Jalan Mulia Bersumbangsih Bagi Negeri". In addition to spiritual activities, the series of events is also filled with social actions such as blood donation, free health checks, and planting eco enzymes as a form of concern for the environment.

PPK Kemayoran President Director Teddy Robinson Siahaan expressed his support for the implementation of the activity. According to him, the event shows that the Kemayoran area is not only a center for business and international activities, but also a space for religious and social activities of the community.

"We strongly support this Pindapata activity as part of a spiritual tradition that strengthens togetherness. This shows that the Kemayoran PPK area can also be a place for the implementation of various religious activities," said Teddy.

Chairman of the National Gema Waisak Pindapata Committee 2026, Bhikkhu Dhammakaro Mahathera, said Pindapata is not just a religious ritual, but a noble tradition that has been carried out for more than 2,500 years.

According to him, this tradition teaches the values of generosity, simplicity, and the spirit of mutual support in spiritual life.

"Pindapata is a means for people to practice generosity and simplicity, as well as build a spirit of mutual support in spiritual life," said Dhammakaro.

The activity was also attended by Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar and representatives of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government as a form of support for religious activities and religious harmony.

In his remarks, Nasaruddin said Pindapata contains the meaning of simplicity, wisdom, and compassion through the inner relationship between the giver and the receiver.

"Giving in Pindapata is not just transferring something from hand to hand, but also transferring warmth from heart to heart," said Nasaruddin.

He hopes that Gema Waisak will not only be an annual celebration, but also an important reminder of the importance of cultivating love, wisdom, and social concern in daily life.

To support the smooth running of the event, traffic was diverted along Jalan Benyamin Sueb, from MGK roundabout to BNI roundabout, on Sunday from 03.00 to 15.00 WIB. However, the slow lane is still open for road users.