Walking From Semarang To Temanggung, Residents Welcome Thudong Hero's Arrival

Thudong monks enter the Temanggung area were greeted by Buddhists by sprinkling roses. BETWEEN/Heru Suyitno

JATENG - Hundreds of Buddhists in Temanggung Regency welcomed the arrival of Mr. Thudong at the border of Semarang Regency with Temanggung Regency in Jagang Hamlet, Kalimanggis Village, Kaloran.

The Advisor of the Buddhist Community of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Central Java Province, Kardono, said that the community gathered here to welcome the handover of the Thudong Hero from Semarang Regency to Temanggung Regency.

In the tradition of walking, 44 Thudong monks, namely 40 monks from Thailand, 2 from Singapore, one Indonesia, and one from Malaysia were followed. In welcoming the arrival of the Thudong Hero, some Buddhists sprinkled red and white roses.

He conveyed that the Advisor of the Buddhist Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion of Central Java Province representing Buddhists throughout Central Java expressed their gratitude to the Temanggung Regency Government, volunteers, the police and all residents who have helped smooth and order this event.

"I also represent Buddhists throughout Central Java to apologize for the implementation of this Thudong if there is a traffic jam and so on," he said in Temanggung, Friday, May 17, as reported by Antara.

The acting Regent of Temanggung Hery Agung Prabowo welcomed the extraordinary Thudong monks on foot from Semarang to Temanggung.

He said that hopefully the Thudong monks will always be given health, safety, and success and smoothness until they arrive in Magelang Regency later.

"On Sunday (19 May), we will release the Tudhong monks from Temanggung to Magelang Regency," he said.

Coordinator of the Organizing Committee for Thudong, Semarang Regency, Romo Pujianto, said that during the two days of May 16-17, 2024, the Thudong Hero had been accepted as a state guest.

"The Thudong Hero's journey from Semarang to the Temanggung border is approximately 50 kilometers and the roads are rising, but the monks are still healthy," he said.

He conveyed that the Thudong Hero taught that there was tolerance, unity, and the spirit of cohesiveness, they were extraordinary walking without strings.