Chattra Proposed to be Reinstalled in Borubudur

DENPASAR, BALIPOST.com – General Chair of the Indonesian Buddhist Association (Permabudhi), Prof. Philip K. Wijaya said that Permabudhi is currently fighting for the installation of Chattra at Borobudur.

It is believed that the chattra or umbrella at the top of Borobudur Temple will further strengthen the spiritual aspect and make Borobudur perfect as a place of worship. Not limited to Buddhists, this installation will also provide new energy for Indonesia.

For Buddhists, installing chattra is believed to have a very deep spiritual impact. Moreover, during the restoration of Borobudur led by Theodoor van Erp in the period 1907-1911, the chattra is believed to have been installed majestically at the top of the main stupa.

Not only that, the history of this chattra has also been widely told in various books and literature. As in the book Lalitawistara Sutra which mentions the word umbrella many times. Not only that, the book Lalitawistara Sutra is also engraved in 120 pieces of relief on the body of Borobudur Temple.

Apart from being stated in the Lalitawistara Sutra and Gandawyuha Sutra, the term chattra is also found in the Jataka stories, Awadana and Karmawibhangga Sutra. Jataka and Awadana stories are also engraved in 720 pieces of relief at Borobudur Temple. The umbrella is depicted where Brahmins are protected by an umbrella above their heads.

He said various studies had been submitted in recommendations to UNESCO. According to him, this will create a very great history for Buddhists in Indonesia.

“So Permabudhi is a big house that was founded, built, occupied and maintained by all of us in it. “We must understand and realize this basic essence because this is a spirit for all of us to have a sense of belonging, and we fight for it together,” said Philip during the 1st Permabudhi Bali Regional Working Conference which was held at the Maha Vihara and Maitreya Buddha Education and Training Center Bali on Saturday. (13/4).

He invited Permabudhi Bali to be built into a strong and solid organization. “The system must be built, so that a complete organizational standardization is formed, so that it can be sustainable, so it doesn’t depend on who the chairman is, the system that will be built will continue to be improved and improved to make it more perfect. “This is what we have to make happen together,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Permabudhi Bali Hery Sudiarto said that the name of the Association was coined and fought for to be used as the initial name of the organization by Bante Paññavaro. “Just as we, as parents, give names to our children, their names must contain meaning and carry a message that must be internalized and realized,” he said.

Acting The Governor of Bali, represented by the Head of Kesbangpol Drs. I Gusti Ngurah Wiryanata underlined the importance of revitalizing and reactualizing the Permabudhi Bali work program to improve organizational performance. According to him, this Musda indicates that a democratic process has been running in an organization.

“I hope that by carrying out the Inauguration and Inauguration event we can create activity programs based on good and clear thinking and oriented towards revitalization, re-actualization of work programs optimally so that Permabudhi Bali for the 2024-2028 Period as a Regional Government partner can improve the achievements and performance of its organization,” he said in written remarks. (Citta Maya/balipost)