PEACE IN UNITY

This year's Vesak celebrations at Borobudur Temple embraced Buddhist compassion and Indonesia's interfaith harmony

- STORY: PORAMET TANGSATHAPORN

As one of the most significant Buddhist religious days, the Vesak ceremony at the majestic Borobudur Temple has become a celebration for all faiths — honouring Indonesia’s diversity and inclusivity by embracing the teachings of the Buddha.

Organised by Indonesia’s state-owned company InJourney and the Indonesian Buddhist Organisation Federation, Walubi, the event — titled #WaisakdiBorobudur2025, or Vesak at Borobudur 2025 — was held on May 12. Life was invited to take part and experience the spiritual depth of Vesak Day.

Vesak Day, known in Thai as Visakha Bucha Day, commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, all believed to have occurred on the Full Moon of the sixth month in the Buddhist lunar calendar. Today, it is a day to reflect on the Buddha's life and teachings. While historically observed mainly within Buddhist communities, Vesak gained global recognition in 1999, when the United Nations passed Resolution 54/115 acknowledging it as an international day of observance.

Though a Muslim-majority country, Indonesia proudly upholds the national motto Bhinneka Tunggal Ika — “Unity In Diversity” — in Bahasa. This phrase reflects the nation’s rich cultural and religious tapestry, and the strength Indonesians find in embracing those differences as one people.

This ethos lies at the heart of Vesak Day — known locally as Waisak — and with Borobudur being one of the largest Buddhist temples in the world, it has become a symbolic centre for interfaith harmony. The 2025 celebration was held under the theme “Enlightened In Harmony” marked by a series of inclusive and spiritually resonant activities.

BOROBUDUR, INDONESIA AND RELIGIOUS HARMONY