en.malanginspirasi.com – The 2026 Vesak Celebration series, centered at Borobudur Temple, began on Friday night, May 29, 2026.
The event began with the procession of retrieving the Dharma Fire from the Mrapen Natural Fire Source in Manggar Mas Village, Godong District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java.
Before the retrieving of the Dharma Fire, the procession began with the lighting of five colored candles and the recitation of sacred chants by each assembly.
These included the Sangha Theravada Dhamayut Indonesia, MBMI, Palpung, ZFZ Kasogatan, Sangha Mahayana Indonesia, and Martrisia, among others.
This sacred fire will later be brought to the masterpiece of Borobudur Temple at the peak of the Vesak commemoration, Sunday (31/5/2026).
The fire-taking ceremony took place at precisely 12:00 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) by sangha monks representing several Buddhist religious councils, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and related agencies.
The eternal flame was then lit onto a torch and carried to a pickup truck standing by in the courtyard of the Mrapen Eternal Flame tourist complex.
The flame was also lit on a large torch (angklu) flanked by two Indonesian and two Buddhist flags. Escorted by a police car, the torch was then carried by the group to Mendut Temple.
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According to Pandita Dharmaduta Suyamto of the Indonesian Tantrayana Zhenfo Zong Kasogatan Buddhist Council (ZFZ Kasogatan), Buddhists refer to the Dharma Fire as a natural fire that emerges from the earth’s interior, following the earth’s gas currents, and is considered sacred.
“Why is it sacred? Because something is transformed into Amerta. Amerta Agni is one of the means of performing Puja, or offerings, as the very first symbol of life for any life on this earth,” he said.
He also revealed the meaning of the Dharma Fire. “The sacred fire at this time is a source of light, like the sun that never tires, rising in the morning and setting in the evening—that’s the style of illumination. Well, this fire, even in the darkness, when it appears, something becomes clearly visible.
“When all beings in this world, when darkness comes, when fire appears, they will see clearly what is right and what is wrong. From here, my people will begin to think, speak, and carry out tasks or actions,”continued Suyanto.
He also explained that after the procession of retrieving the Eternal Fire, which becomes the Dharma Fire, it will be symbolically carried and enshrined at Mendut Temple, and finally, it will be offered at Borobudur Temple.
Suyanto mentioned that after the procession of retrieving the Eternal Fire, which is then transformed into the Dharma Fire, it will be symbolically carried and enshrined at Mendut Temple before finally being offered at Borobudur Temple.
Meanwhile, the Director of Religious Affairs and Buddhist Education, Nyoman Suriadarma, stated that the Mrapen Fire is a symbol. or a manifestation of the spirit that all life needs.
“Today, the procession of consecrating the Eternal Flame, along with chanting of Parita by various sects, and the Pradaksina (circumambulation) ceremony have been completed. This activity is an annual routine, as we strive to honor all life, as fire is a manifestation of spirit,” explained Nyoman.
He also explained that the Pradaksina ceremony is a ritual to pay respect to Buddhist temple sites, hoping for the safety of the family, nation, and state, the safety of nature, and world peace.
