JAKARTA - Hundreds of Buddhists from various representatives in Indonesia, Saturday, May 14, packed the Mrapen Eternal Fire tourist attraction in Grobogan, Central Java.
They were the monks, representatives of the Buddhist assembly and the Buddhist community who were present to take part in the procession of taking the Dharma fire from the Mrapen eternal fire.
Rituals were also held.
Starting from the lighting of five colored candles with the Director of Buddhist Affairs and Education of the Directorate General of Buddhist Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Supriadi, to a ritual event from representatives of the Indonesian Buddhist assembly ahead of the Dharma fire taking.
Representatives of the Buddhist assembly included the Palpung Assembly, Mahanikaya Indonesia, Zhenfo Zong Kasogatan Indonesia, Theravada and other Sangha.
Exactly at 12.00 WIB, the procession of taking the Dharma fire at the Mrapen Natural Fire attraction began.
The monks, the Vesak Committee and the Director of Buddhist Affairs and Education began to move towards the source of the eternal fire which was right next to the XV Century Sunan Kalijaga Heritage Stone.
Before taking the fire, they burn frankincense as a sign of the start of taking Mrapen's eternal fire.
The 2022 National Vesak Dharma Fire is lit using a torch by each representative of the Buddhist assembly and then taken to a pickup truck.
The procession continued by lighting a fire at Angklu in the shape of a lotus flower on top of the car and being paraded out of the courtyard of the Mrapen eternal fire tourist attraction before being taken to Mendut Temple, Magelang with a police car escort.
Taking the Dharma fire at Mrapen is a series of celebrations for the National Vesak Tri Suci 2566 BE in 2022 with the theme "The Path of Wisdom Towards Happiness".
The Director of Buddhist Affairs and Education at the Ministry of Religion, Supriyadi, in his remarks said that this eternal fire taking activity was the initial series of activities for the 2022 National Vesak celebration.
"Fire is a symbol of enlightenment and the spirit of igniting virtuous deeds that are not only beneficial for Buddhists but for all," said Supriyadi.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Dharma Fire Retrieval Committee, Ester Setiawati Santoso, said that this Dharma fire collection was one of a series of activities for the National Vesak Day 2566 Buddha Era 2022 which had been suspended for two years due to COVID-19.
According to Eaters. This dharma fire that originates from the Mrapen natural fire is an eternal fire, a symbol that emits a radiant light, dispelling gloomy conditions into light, penetrating ignorance in life.
"Especially the current conditions so that we are moved towards perfection by together we purify our hearts and minds, leaving behind feelings of hatred and selfishness that can release the shackles of suffering," said Ester.
"With this fire symbol, we, representatives of Indonesian Buddhists, seek to create togetherness and harmony in religious life based on universal love and compassion which is a series of all Buddhist Dharma activities within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and the 1945 Constitution, Pancasila, and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. , " he continued.
The organizer of the Buddhist Guidance of the Ministry of Religion of Magelang Regency, Saring said the moments of Vesak will be held on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 11.13.46 WIB. Then in the afternoon Dharmasanti was held.
"The procession is as usual on the way from Mendut Temple, stopping at Pawon and finally at Borobudur Temple. The procession is around 8 am, while still implementing health protocols," said Saring.
The following is a series of Vesak Celebrations 2566 BE at Borobudur Temple:
1. 13 May 2022, social service at Kaloran Temanggung2. May 13, 2022, social service in Semarang Regency3. May 14, 2022, basic food social service4. May 14, 2022, taking the Eternal Fire of Mrapen brought and buried in Mendut Temple5. May 15, 2022, taking Holy Water from Umbul Jumprit was brought and brought and buried in Mendut Temple6. May 16, 2022, walking procession from Mendut Temple to Borobudur Temple7. May 16, 2022, the peak event at Kenari Field at the second of Vesak 11.13.46 there are ritual events and others8. May 16, 2022, Dharmasanti Vesak at 19.00 WIB at Lumbini Field, Borobudur Temple
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