After a long time desirous plan to witness the Great Vesak at the Borobudur Temple, I finally made it.
As Buddhist center in Indonesia, Borobudur is certainly the main target of many people to come to see Buddhist ceremony or celebration. Vesak is the greatest events celebrated at this largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Vesak is celebrated every year in solemn and reverent vibe as Galungan for Hindus in Bali, Eid prayers for Moslems or Good Friday for Christians. Galungan in Bali is publicly open for public, but under strict surveillance of Pecalang (Balinese police). Christian and Islamic holidays are usually not so open or attended as a tourist event. Vesak, at a poin has tremendous appeal, especially this year and the session that most awaited is 'flying lanterns'.
Last year, Vesak ceremony at Borobudur Temple attended by so many people and mostly were not Buddhist. Lanterns and full moon scenery have been a great story to tell, at least written by number of people were present at the time. This also make a lot of people come to Magelang to witness it with huge expectations. But what happened then beyond the expectations of many people, heavy rains flushed the area Borobudur and lantern session cancelled. That's a brief summary of what happened on the last Saturday.
There is a restlessness in me when religious rituals become attraction (only) for many people. From what I saw last night at Borobudur, really sad to see the visitors who looked tired coming only for Vesak lanterns regardless of the actual religious meaning. They seemed to forget that the event was a prayer, sacred and religious event.
Mass buildup at the entrance of the temple area and at the courtyard of the temple and it was unbelievably heavy. Most have prepared themselves with tickets, hotels booking and lodging, rental vehicles and certainly with cameras. All seemed to compete (with fury) to be able to capture the moment as their main targets. It was seemingly no more sense and sensitivity to the context of the event, there was no politeness to respect the people who go there to pray and there was no reluctance to disturb. They are very ambitious to get their pictures (might be for simply personal collection) and forget about ethics. Flash lights up, talks, or stepping in to the worship lines and even when a monk asked them to respect the praying time they seemed ignorant. There was no empathy anymore if it was done on them. I overheard some people complained. They worried that lantern session will be cancelled due to the weather.
Vesak is a worship that is following a sequential praying steps . From taking up the eternal flame at Mrapen, holy water in Temanggung until lodged it at Mendut temple (about 2 miles from the Borobudur temple) for a night. The next morning would be taken in procession to the Borobudur temple by walking. People not allowed to talk and this procession snaking row until they arrive at Borobudur temple. After that, each tent will take place for praying. I was following a sermon in Walubi tent and it was interesting because the Priest delivered it with relax yet sacred way. In the evening all the people will gather in the courtyard of Borobudur for final prayer.
Last night was pretty disappointing because the Minister of Religious Affairs who wwould give opening remarks came late and his presence was welcomed with the audience cheered "Huuuuu ...". The committee asked the audience to remain calm and silent. Followed by the arrival of the Governor of Central Java which then had campaigned on his speech for Java gubernatorial election that will take place in the next day. For me that was a silly slapstick, using religious moment for political agenda. I think the committee was patient enough with all that going on and trying to keep the show running solemn (but failed nevertheless).
I skipped Pradaksina (walking around the Borobudur temple three times) because it was too crowded in the west side of the temple. I am concerned with the disruption of worship that should be sacred but the celebration of Vesak that night was noisy with many sound. I decided to get out of the temple to return to Yogyakarta.
Many angers I faound on social media criticizing the behaviour of the people who were there as visitor. After I did some browsing on internet, I found there was a blog (from one of the Buddhists if I'm not mistaken) which raised about the commercialization of Vesak. I strongly agree with what he writes but I am really sad to see other people's comment that even thankful they were not there as a sign of anti-commercialization of Vesak. For me it's just silly. If we are polite and thoughtful, concerned to see how a religious ritual, why not? Do we come there just solely to see the lanterns 'show'? Don't we want to see a procession that happens once a year? Do not we want to appreciate the difference? We always promote ourselves as people who respect inter-faith? So for the commentators who feel 'lucky' not to come after reading the blog, I actually ask what their motivation is.
I will not stop my chance to attend Vesak at Borobudur because my goal is not just the lantern . Not at all! I learned a lot in Bali we can learn and appreciate other religion by their ritual and ceremony. There are so many rituals in Bali like marriage, cremation, cutting teeth,Mlasti, the day of silence, etc. We are required to dress modestly, in whites, with sarong and a loin cloth. It's more than okay to join their rituals as long as we can respect their rules and not disturb them.
Anyone who attended the last Vesak with various effort to witness the 'lantern', please do not be disappointed. We can feed our experience to see Vesak as a virtuous eventand we should be able to put in place the actual context of the ceremony. Remember, our Buddhist friends have only one reason to be there, to celebrate a religious day.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha ~
may all beings be happy
Happy Vesak-
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
As Buddhist center in Indonesia, Borobudur is certainly the main target of many people to come to see Buddhist ceremony or celebration. Vesak is the greatest events celebrated at this largest Buddhist temple in the world.
Vesak is celebrated every year in solemn and reverent vibe as Galungan for Hindus in Bali, Eid prayers for Moslems or Good Friday for Christians. Galungan in Bali is publicly open for public, but under strict surveillance of Pecalang (Balinese police). Christian and Islamic holidays are usually not so open or attended as a tourist event. Vesak, at a poin has tremendous appeal, especially this year and the session that most awaited is 'flying lanterns'.
Last year, Vesak ceremony at Borobudur Temple attended by so many people and mostly were not Buddhist. Lanterns and full moon scenery have been a great story to tell, at least written by number of people were present at the time. This also make a lot of people come to Magelang to witness it with huge expectations. But what happened then beyond the expectations of many people, heavy rains flushed the area Borobudur and lantern session cancelled. That's a brief summary of what happened on the last Saturday.
There is a restlessness in me when religious rituals become attraction (only) for many people. From what I saw last night at Borobudur, really sad to see the visitors who looked tired coming only for Vesak lanterns regardless of the actual religious meaning. They seemed to forget that the event was a prayer, sacred and religious event.
Mass buildup at the entrance of the temple area and at the courtyard of the temple and it was unbelievably heavy. Most have prepared themselves with tickets, hotels booking and lodging, rental vehicles and certainly with cameras. All seemed to compete (with fury) to be able to capture the moment as their main targets. It was seemingly no more sense and sensitivity to the context of the event, there was no politeness to respect the people who go there to pray and there was no reluctance to disturb. They are very ambitious to get their pictures (might be for simply personal collection) and forget about ethics. Flash lights up, talks, or stepping in to the worship lines and even when a monk asked them to respect the praying time they seemed ignorant. There was no empathy anymore if it was done on them. I overheard some people complained. They worried that lantern session will be cancelled due to the weather.
Vesak is a worship that is following a sequential praying steps . From taking up the eternal flame at Mrapen, holy water in Temanggung until lodged it at Mendut temple (about 2 miles from the Borobudur temple) for a night. The next morning would be taken in procession to the Borobudur temple by walking. People not allowed to talk and this procession snaking row until they arrive at Borobudur temple. After that, each tent will take place for praying. I was following a sermon in Walubi tent and it was interesting because the Priest delivered it with relax yet sacred way. In the evening all the people will gather in the courtyard of Borobudur for final prayer.
Last night was pretty disappointing because the Minister of Religious Affairs who wwould give opening remarks came late and his presence was welcomed with the audience cheered "Huuuuu ...". The committee asked the audience to remain calm and silent. Followed by the arrival of the Governor of Central Java which then had campaigned on his speech for Java gubernatorial election that will take place in the next day. For me that was a silly slapstick, using religious moment for political agenda. I think the committee was patient enough with all that going on and trying to keep the show running solemn (but failed nevertheless).
I skipped Pradaksina (walking around the Borobudur temple three times) because it was too crowded in the west side of the temple. I am concerned with the disruption of worship that should be sacred but the celebration of Vesak that night was noisy with many sound. I decided to get out of the temple to return to Yogyakarta.
Many angers I faound on social media criticizing the behaviour of the people who were there as visitor. After I did some browsing on internet, I found there was a blog (from one of the Buddhists if I'm not mistaken) which raised about the commercialization of Vesak. I strongly agree with what he writes but I am really sad to see other people's comment that even thankful they were not there as a sign of anti-commercialization of Vesak. For me it's just silly. If we are polite and thoughtful, concerned to see how a religious ritual, why not? Do we come there just solely to see the lanterns 'show'? Don't we want to see a procession that happens once a year? Do not we want to appreciate the difference? We always promote ourselves as people who respect inter-faith? So for the commentators who feel 'lucky' not to come after reading the blog, I actually ask what their motivation is.
I will not stop my chance to attend Vesak at Borobudur because my goal is not just the lantern . Not at all! I learned a lot in Bali we can learn and appreciate other religion by their ritual and ceremony. There are so many rituals in Bali like marriage, cremation, cutting teeth,Mlasti, the day of silence, etc. We are required to dress modestly, in whites, with sarong and a loin cloth. It's more than okay to join their rituals as long as we can respect their rules and not disturb them.
Anyone who attended the last Vesak with various effort to witness the 'lantern', please do not be disappointed. We can feed our experience to see Vesak as a virtuous eventand we should be able to put in place the actual context of the ceremony. Remember, our Buddhist friends have only one reason to be there, to celebrate a religious day.
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~ Buddha ~
may all beings be happy
Happy Vesak-
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu
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