This Is The Sata-Sahasra Buddha Pagoda, The Highest Pagoda In Indonesia Which Has Just Been Inaugurated

The inauguration ceremony of the Sata-Sahasra Buddhist Pagoda, which is listed as the highest pagoda in Indonesia, in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands Province, Saturday (8/7/2023). (Doc. ANTARA/Ogen)

TANJUNGPINANG - Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Supriyadi, on Saturday inaugurated the opening of the Sata-Sahasra Buddha Pagoda in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands Province.

This pagoda is the highest pagoda in Indonesia. The inauguration of the pagoda was marked by cutting ribbons and lion dance performances.

Supriyadi expressed his satisfaction, after almost seven years, this beautiful and magnificent pagoda finally materialized.

The Sata-Sahasra Buddha Pagoda is located in the Vihara Avalokitesvara complex in Tanjungpinang City, with a size of 52 meters long, 32 meters wide, and 46.8 meters high.

Supriyadi stated that this pagoda deserves to be the highest pagoda and get a MURI record. He hopes that this pagoda, which is located in an area of more than 10 hectares, can become a center of religious activities for Buddhists as well as a means to build harmony between religious communities.

"Make pagoda a center for religious activities, places of meditation, respect, and worship, so that there will be high motivation and enthusiasm for Buddhists," Supriyadi said as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, July 8.

The Sata-Sahasra Buddhist Pagoda at the Vihara Avalokitesvara complex on Jalan WR Supratman Kilometer 14 Tanjungpinang City is managed by the Maitri Paramitha Foundation.

According to the owner of the Maitri Paramitha Foundation, Hengky Suryawan, the construction of the Sata-Sahasra Buddhist Pagoda lasts about seven years from June 2016 to June 2023.

The pagoda, which was built at a cost of around Rp. 100 billion, consists of nine floors. The walls are installed with 20,708 ceramic pieces with Buddhist statue motifs specifically ordered from China.

"We got a MURI record for the highest pagoda in Indonesia, namely 46.8 meters, and pagoda with the most Buddhist motif ceramics installed, which is 20,708 copies," said Hengky.

According to him, the Sata-Sahasra Buddhist Pagoda can accommodate about 2,000 Buddhists in praying activities.

Tourists from within and outside the country can also visit the Sata-Sahasra Buddhist Pagoda. Moreover, the Vihara Avalokitesvara complex where the pagoda is located has become a tourist destination for local residents on Bintan Island.

Hengky said that before the COVID-19 pandemic, tourists who visited the temple could have up to eight buses a day.

"In the Vihara Avalokitesvara there is a statue of Dewi Kwan Im as high as 22.8 meters and won the highest title in Southeast Asia," he concluded.