Borobudur Temple Will Soon Be Inaugurated as a Cultural and Spiritual Pilgrimage Destination for Buddhists Worldwide
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon will strive to make Borobudur Temple a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists in the world. This commitment was stated by Fadli Zon in the courtyard of Borobudur Temple while attending Waisak 2569 BE/2025, which was also carried out in a hybrid manner (offline and online) with thousands of Buddhists who attended the courtyard of the largest temple in the world in Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java. The government’s commitment is in line with Law on the Advancement of Culture No. 5/20/2017, namely advancing national culture and preserving cultural heritage as part of sustainable development.
The peak event of Waisak 2569 BE on May 13, 2025 was carried out in turns by each assembly reciting prayers marked by the beating of the gong at exactly 23.55 local time at the altar of the Borobudur Temple courtyard, Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java.
The commemoration of Waisak 2569 BE marks three important moments, namely the birth of a saint, cultural achievements and the death of Gautama Buddha. In order to commemorate these three important moments, monks and Buddhists chant prayers and sacred chants with the theme of increasing self-control and wisdom to realize world peace.
In addition to following the seconds of Waisak, thousands of Buddhists also received blessed water which was used as a means of worship to the Triratna accompanied by the chanting of holy verses. The blessed water itself symbolizes humility which provides coolness to human spiritual life.
Until then, the monks and Buddhists held a pradaksina to close the series of events of the Tri Suci Waisak 3569 BE/ 2025. Meanwhile, the Waisak celebration in Jakarta was at the Ekayana Arama Temple – Indonesia, Buddhist Center, West Jakarta, May 12, 2025. The Deputy Governor of Jakarta was present with the Minister of Religion, Nazaruddin Umar, marking the Waisak celebration not only as a sacred moment for Buddhists, but also as a universal inspiration for all religious people in the world to strengthen the values of virtue, self-control and wisdom.
Activities such as Thufong – a spiritually meaningful journey by monks, social services, environmental conservation movements and deepening of Dhamma have enriched the meaning of Waisak while strengthening togetherness across religions. Such as the commemoration of the 218th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Jakarta on May 10, 2025 which was centered at the Cathedral, Jakarta.
PT. Aviasi Parawisata Indonesia (Persero) or in Journey recorded a total of more than 100 thousand visitors to Borobudur Temple from May 1-13, 2025, who filled the area of this truly amazing temple. The number of visitors included general tourists, Buddhists who participated in the worship procession, as well as the committee and all supporters of the event being held. The peak of the largest number of visits, increased by 25 percent from the previous year which amounted to 36 thousand people to reach 45,914 people when the peak of the event took place on May 12, 2025. Apart from that, the Borobudur sky was filled with 450 drones and 2,569 beautiful lanterns.
This means that it can be immediately imagined if Borobudur Temple can be officially consecrated as a spiritual cultural tourism destination for Buddhists around the world, as Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu has dreamed of since 6 years ago, which he called the center of worship and spiritual pilgrimage in the world inspired by the sacred values of the Kaaba in Mecca. So by making Borobudur Temple a cultural tourism destination and a center for spiritual pilgrimage for Buddhists worldwide, we can immediately imagine the heavy flow of tourists from various countries will come to Indonesia. For the Indonesian government, all that remains is to regulate the quota for the number of visitors allowed during religious celebrations for Buddhists, so as not to cause problems – traffic jams, housing and other facilities needed by tourists, pilgrims – which will definitely overflow and bring in a lot of foreign exchange for Indonesia. Therefore, from the start, the local environment around Borobudur Temple needs to be prepared early, including the arrangement of souvenir shops and regional restaurants to be promoted as part of the cultural wealth of the Indonesian nation. With the perspective of cultural tourism and spiritual pilgrimage, it is clear to further introduce the cultural wealth of the Indonesian nation with its diversity of traditions to its very impressive works of art, such as its culinary tastes which also have a variety of distinctive menus.
Cilegon, May 19, 2025
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