Borobudur Temple is Increasingly Attractive as a Spiritual and Religious Cultural Tourism Destination for Nations in the World
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
President Francis Emmanuel Macron’s admiration for Borobudur Temple as a world heritage site — which has become the world’s property — in Muntilan, Magelang, Central Java is truly inspiring, that Borobudur Temple has the potential to become a spiritual pilgrimage tourism object as initiated and fought for by Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu since 26 years ago together through GMRI (Indonesian Moral Reconciliation Movement) which was initiated together with Gus Dur, Paku Buwono XII, Prog. Dr (HC) KH. Habib Khirzin, Banthe Pannyavaro Mahatera to make the Borobudur Temple Area a spiritual and religious tourism destination, so that it can become a source of foreign exchange for the country like the Kaaba in the Holy Land which is visited by millions of Muslims every year.
Serious discussions to make the Borobudur Temple Area a spiritual and religious tourism destination have been carried out by Sri Eko Sriyanto Galgendu with Cardinal Ignatius Suharjo on September 29, 2021, when they were about to welcome the visit of monks from various countries to Borobudur Temple which is increasingly famous and has received attention from nations in the world and has been recorded as a world cultural heritage masterpiece by UNESCO, because it is indeed a real manifestation of the world’s wealth that has historical value and extraordinary spiritual meaning.
As a work of the children of the Nusantara tribe — Borobudur Temple — is truly amazing. Because it is not only of historical and artistic value, but also of philosophical value that marks human civilization in the world in terms of science and knowledge and stone carving skills that are not possessed by other nations in the world.
Apart from that — in the spiritual dimension — Borobudur Temple and a number of temples in Indonesia, such as Muara Takus Temple and Muara Jambi Temple in Sumatra — mark the diversity of religions that have been harmonious and have lived in harmony for centuries.
The visit of President Francis, Emmanuel Macron on May 29, 2025, who was directly accompanied by President Prabowo Subianto, can be used as a starting point for the official spiritual and religious tourism destination at Borobudur Temple and other temple complexes in Indonesia, to be managed more professionally with complete international class facilities to welcome spiritual tourists and religious rituals that will provide many benefits for the surrounding community and incalculable foreign exchange for the country. Because for humans too – for religion – that the glory of humans is those who can provide benefits to others. Likewise, the resources and cultural wealth of the Indonesian nation that have been inherited by our ancestors. So that Borobudur Temple and other temple complexes in Indonesia, are not only symbols of the glory of Indonesian civilization in the past, but can also be symbols of the glory of the nation in the present and future. The bilateral history between Indonesia and France marks the state visit of the Presidents of the two countries which was marked by 21 historical documents of agreement signed by President Emmanuel Macron and President Prabowo at the State Palace in Jakarta on May 28, 2025. One of the most important documents is the Joint Declaration for Strategy in the Field of Culture between Indonesia and France. The agreement on cooperation in the field of culture between the two countries was signed by the respective Ministers of Culture of France and the Minister of Culture of Indonesia.
Overall, this joint declaration reflects the common long-term vision of the two countries and their joint contribution to world peace and culture in the context of developing the Indonesia-France strategic partnership until 2050.
Pluit, May 31, 2025
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