Vesak 2024, 40acters From Thailand To Malaysia Will Undergo The Thudong Procession From TMII To Borobudur

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

A total of 40 monks from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia will undergo a thudong procession from Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, to Borobudur Temple on May 14.

The thidong is a spiritual or religious journey of the bhikkhus which is carried out on thousands of kilometers (km) to reflect on the noble properties of the Buddhists.

Director of Marketing and Business Development of InJourney Destination Management, Hetty Herawati said that the Bhikkhus would arrive at Borobudur Temple before the 2024 Vesak Day celebration.

"The Thudong Hero's Activity will be released at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Furthermore, the Thudong Bhikku will arrive at Borobudur Temple on May 20, 2024," he said at a press conference, in Sarinah, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 8.

Hetty said the Vesak peak event itself will be held on May 23, 2024 with the Waisak Order event from the Mendut Temple to Borobudur Temple, the commemoration of Waisak seconds, the Borobudur Temple pradaksina, and the release of the Vesak lantern.

"As well as doing mindful walking meditation, namely feeling the sacredness of Borobudur Temple through pradaksina and meditation that can be followed by the general public from May 24 to 25, 2024," he explained.

Furthermore, Hetty said that the Vesak celebration at Borobudur Temple is planned to be attended by thousands of followers from three large streams, namely Mahayana, Theravada, and Tantrayana. Each flow organizes spiritual and cultural events in the Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) area of Borobudur Temple.

The series of Vesak activities at Borobudur Temple and its surroundings will be carried out in a hybrid (offline and online) manner. The committee will also prepare multimedia to be watched online through the WALUBI DPP YouTube platform," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee for Vesak YM Bhikkhu Dhammavuddho Thera said the Vesak celebration at Borobudur Temple has always been meaningful.

He added that Vesak at Borobudur Temple is more harmonious because it is not only Buddhists who celebrate, but people from other religions can also follow and feel the atmosphere of the Vesak celebration.

"Bhante still chose Borobudur Temple as a Vesak warning because Borobudur Temple is much more magnificent, neater, more grander and more beautiful," he said.

"There we realized that Indonesia is really a country full of tolerance," he continued.