Staff Of The Minister Of Religion: Installation Of The Borobudur Temple Chattra Hopes For Buddhists

A number of visitors walked to Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Tuesday (10/10/2023). (ANTARA/Asep Firmansyah)

Special Staff to the Minister of Religion for Media and Public Communication Wibowo Prasetyo said that the plan to install Chattra or umbrella in the main stupa of Borobudur Temple was the hope of Buddhists related to the perfection of temples in Magelang Regency, Central Java.

"Indeed, the majority of these desired are hopes from the Buddhists that Chattra be installed," he said at Magelang as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, October 10.

He said Buddhists believed the installation of Chattra was like a head that would complement the body. This completeness will become a perfection and splendor of Borobudur Temple.

According to him, the installation of Chattra at the top of the main stupa of Borobudur Temple for religious leaders and Indonesian Buddhists has a philosophical meaning as an object of animal offering and protection.

"The Buddhist people have long missed the occurrence of perfection in the Borobudur Temple stupa. Well, completing that perfection by installing Chattra," he said.

Regarding the pros and cons of archaeologists and the installation of the Chattra, he views that this needs to continue to be discussed. Opinions between each party must be accommodated so that they find common ground.

A number of archaeologists consider the installation of Chattra does not meet the criteria for archaeological reconstruction, due to the percentage combination of original stones and new stones.

In addition, they view that Chattra is not an umbrella that was previously installed at the top of the main stupa of Borobudur Temple.

"The perspective of Buddhists must also be accommodated. It should not be just an archaeological consideration, but there are also theological considerations, spiritual considerations from Buddhist friends," said Wibowo.