Buddhist monk Gutadhammo Mahatera, chair of the organizing committee, said in Magelang on Friday that the large-scale religious gathering aims to preserve Buddhist teachings and promote the Dhamma through recitations of the Holy Tipitaka texts.
“This year’s ITC and Asalha Mapuja carry special significance as they coincide with the golden jubilee of the Indonesian Theravada Sangha,” he remarked.
The monk highlighted strong enthusiasm among devotees to join the event, noting that registrations had exceeded the 2,045-person capacity of Lumbini Park, designated as the venue within the temple complex.
He said the congregation comprises monks and devotees from Indonesia and abroad gathering to recite suttas, or discourses, from the Tipitaka scripture.
Mahatera further noted that the activity also featured lectures by monks specializing in Buddhist education, aimed at helping participants not only read but also grasp the values enshrined in the Majjhima Nikaya, a collection of middle-length suttas.
He emphasized that the Indonesia Tipitaka Chanting is more than an annual religious event, underscoring its role as a platform for devotees from various places to deepen their understanding of the Dhamma and apply it in daily life.
Supriyadi, Director General for Buddhist Community Affairs at the Religious Affairs Ministry, applauded the Indonesian Theravada Sangha for organizing the event annually.
He described the gathering as a crucial means of preserving and developing Buddhist teachings in Indonesia, noting that it has grown over the years in participant numbers, area coverage, and substance.
“The most important thing is not simply to gather but to encourage participants to practice what they learn. The recitation of the Tipitaka is a learning process, with the end goal of translating Dhamma values into habit and character in daily life,” Supriyadi stated.
He added that the government expects the gathering to help strengthen Buddhist brotherhood, deepen understanding of the Tipitaka, and promote virtuous values and practices in society.
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Translator: H. Suyitno, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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