2,000 Buddhists Will Chant the Tipitaka at Borobudur, What's Up?

The atmosphere of the Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting (ITC) in 2025. Photo: Ministry of Religion.

Around 2,000 Buddhists from within and outside the country will gather at the Borobudur Temple area, Magelang, Central Java, on July 24-26, 2026. They will follow the Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting by chanting and exploring the teachings of the Buddha contained in the Holy Book of Tipitaka.

The activities took place at Lumbini Park and reached its peak at the Asadha Mahapuja celebration in the courtyard of Borobudur Temple, July 26. The celebration commemorates the first Dhamma breaking by Sammasambuddha Gotama to five ascetics.

The Chairman of the Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting 2026 Committee, Bhante Guttadhammo Mahāthera, said the 11th activity carried the theme "Walking the Noble Path, Contributing to the State".

The theme, according to Bhante Guttadhammo Mahāthera, emphasizes the importance of practicing Dhamma as well as the contribution of Buddhists to society and the country.

"This year, Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting was attended by around 2,000 participants from within and outside the country," said Bhante Guttadhammo, Friday (17/7/2026).

He explained that the Tipitaka is the main reference for Buddhists in assessing the appropriateness of religious beliefs and practices with the teachings of Dhamma.

Therefore, the activity does not stop at the recitation of the holy book. Participants are also invited to understand the contents of the Tipitaka, ponder it, and then apply it in daily life.

"We learn and practice Dhamma so that in the journey of life we always meet wise people who are able to guide us to be free from dukkha," he said.

One of the participants, Wododo, said Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting also trained discipline, self-control, and patience. He had previously participated in similar activities and Asadha Mahapuja in 2025.

According to Widodo, participants not only read the holy book, but also meditate and practice the sila or moral rules in Buddhism.

"The benefits are very many. We can learn Dhamma, practice sila, and train patience by sitting, meditating, and reading the scriptures together," he said.

Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting 2026 is a space for deepening Buddhist teachings as well as strengthening the spiritual life of the people. The presence of participants from various regions and countries also places Borobudur back as one of the centers of large-scale Buddhist religious activities in Indonesia.