"This is the important message that I must convey because we have entered the year where we must bolster and enhance our unity for Indonesia's integrity," Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance at the ministry Supriyadi said here on Friday.
Vesak Day commemoration will be centered at Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java, he said, adding that 4,500 Buddhist monks and adherents from Indonesia and other countries will join the procession at the temple.
The director general said that religious observances, such as Vesak Day, should serve as a medium to propagate and reiterate the commitment to togetherness among Buddhists and adherents of other religions in Indonesia.
"We all have a great task to construe the Vesak Day, and it should be realized in an act of togetherness. As conveyed by the Religious Affairs Minister and the President, we need to show togetherness in the harmonious concord to all Buddhists in Indonesia," Supriyadi stated.
Meanwhile, the ministry official affirmed that all stakeholders are ready to support the Vesak Day commemoration on June 4.
Besides the Religious Affairs Ministry, the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry and Buddhist organizations Indonesian Buddhists Representatives (Walubi) and Indonesian Buddhists Association (Permabudhi) will also take part in the organization of Vesak Day commemoration, he added.
"The preparation has reached 90 percent, all is working, and we are now waiting for D-day," Supriyadi said.
He also asked leaders of Buddhist organizations to disseminate to their members messages of togetherness and cultivating the Buddha Dhamma (teachings) in every Buddhist heart.
"We should exhibit that our togetherness comes naturally and is not forced," the director general stated.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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