By S. Vinsula
YOGYAKARTA, May 22 (Bernama) — In a spiritual tribute to Wesak Day, a group of 40 dedicated monks from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia on Monday visited the esteemed temple here in Yogyakarta. successfully completed the Tudon pilgrimage culminating in the Borobudur temple.
Among the esteemed pilgrims is Bante Chuan, a 67-year-old monk from Johor Bahru, who contributed to the journey with unwavering dedication and determination.
The monks completed a 60-kilometer journey along the route from Buddha Jayanti Unkar Kasap Temple in Semarang to Borobudur Temple Complex in Magelang.
Mr Vante Chuan said the trip to Tudong was a deep spiritual experience and a testament to their determination on the path to enlightenment.
“It feels good. We think of ‘Buddha’ as if there is no pain and walk without pain. We walk slowly and happily and see many people following in our path. . We are happy that wherever we go, there are people who follow our path,” he told the media when we met at Borobudur temple recently.
“My Bhante, who is from Singapore, said that wherever they go, they (monks) are warmly welcomed by the locals during pilgrimages and at local temples. Even the pain of walking is gone,” he said.
Tudong 2024 chairman Bante Khamsai Sumano Mahatheera said their pilgrimage may have ended but their spiritual journey continued.
Tudong is a ritual in which banthes (Buddhist monks) walk long distances (sometimes up to 1,000 kilometers) to imitate the Buddha.
The theme of this year’s Tudon was “A journey towards a dignified, harmonious and happy way of life through recognition of diversity.”
The day of Wesak, celebrated by Buddhists around the world to commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing of Gautama Buddha, provided a poignant backdrop to this spiritual undertaking.
–Bernama
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