Trail of Civilization 2009 at Mendut and Borobudur Temple (Part 1)
On 9th May 2009, I attended Wesak international celebration, “Trail of Civilization”, at Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Indonesia. It was Vesakh 2553 BE. The event was organized by WALUBI (Perwakilan Umat Buddha Indonesia / Representative of Buddhists Indonesia) and followed by 12 councils underneath. In the morning, the procession started at Mendut Temple, 2 km from Borobudur Temple, where each councils gathered in their tents and held their own rituals. It was very crowded. They and other sympathizers then meditated together at around 10.45 am (Indonesia Western Time) to welcome Vesakh seconds that fell at 11:10:01.
At 2.30 pm, the procession from Mendut to Borobudur Temple was conducted, where WALUBI, 12 councils, and other sympathizers headed to Borobudur by feet. It was raining and most of us were totally wet. Thousands of people joined the walk (and the overall procession), together with hundred of monks from Indonesia as well from other countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Canada, Japan, etc. We arrived at Borobudur Temple at around 5.30 pm, then took rest, had meal, and waited until the ceremony “Trail of Civilization” started at 7 pm. The ceremony presented Tilakkhana shows from 6 countries that pioneered the Borobudur Declaration, whom were Indonesia, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and First Lady Ani bambang Yudhoyono also attended this ceremony. Others who attended were Mr. Bibit Waluyo as Governor of Central Java, Mr. Muhammad M. Basyuni as Ministry of Religion, Mrs. S. Hartati Murdaya as Head of WALUBI, high level officials of other five countries, public figures of each religion, and so on.
(Continue to “Trail of Civilization 2009 at Mendut and Borobudur Temple, Part 2“)