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Get to know Thudong, the ritual of walking thousands of kilos of monks
Some time ago, a number of videos went viral showing a group of monks walking across the Pantura route in Cikarang, West Java, Friday (13/5/2023). Now, the monks are rumored to have arrived at the Pantura Subang route, West Java.
The group consisted of 32 monks from various countries who carried out the Thudong ritual aka walking from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, to Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java.
Launching from the official website of the Directorate General of Buddhist Bimas of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag RI), the monks began their journey from Thursday (23/3/2023) from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, passing through Malaysia and Singapore to arrive at Borobudur Temple on Sunday (4/6/2023).
So, what is Thudong travel?
Thudong is a spiritual journey undertaken by bhantes or monks on foot for thousands of kilometers. This religious journey was undertaken to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha in his lifetime when there were no monasteries, shelters, and transportation.
Thudong is carried out on foot to enter the forest while contemplating. Before traveling, monks must stay somewhere and fast for four months during the rainy season. When it has entered the dry season or spring, Thudong will only be implemented.
"So in a year they will walk like this for four months to carry out this tradition. Coincidentally because in Indonesia there is Borobudur Temple, coinciding with Vesak Day and they walk from Thailand," explained Bhante Dhammavuddho, quoted from the official website of the Directorate General of Buddhist Bimas of the Ministry of Agriculture, Monday (15/5/2023).
Through this journey, Bhante hopes the monks can practice patience. Because, the Buddha taught that patience is the highest dhamma practice. For information, dhamma is a noble teaching that contains moral and philosophical guidelines that lead us to happiness.
"They are exposed to heat, rain, eat once a day, and drink potluck," Bhante said.
The monks are said to continue meditating throughout the journey and rest. On the way, monks will visit places of interfaith worship, such as monasteries, temples, and pesantren as resting places.
According to Google Maps records, the distance from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Borobudur Temple is about 2,797 km.
Some time ago, a number of videos went viral showing a group of monks walking across the Pantura route in Cikarang, West Java, Friday (13/5/2023). Now, the monks are rumored to have arrived at the Pantura Subang route, West Java.
The group consisted of 32 monks from various countries who carried out the Thudong ritual aka walking from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, to Borobudur Temple, Magelang, Central Java.
Launching from the official website of the Directorate General of Buddhist Bimas of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag RI), the monks began their journey from Thursday (23/3/2023) from Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, passing through Malaysia and Singapore to arrive at Borobudur Temple on Sunday (4/6/2023).
So, what is Thudong travel?
Thudong is a spiritual journey undertaken by bhantes or monks on foot for thousands of kilometers. This religious journey was undertaken to follow in the footsteps of the Buddha in his lifetime when there were no monasteries, shelters, and transportation.
Thudong is carried out on foot to enter the forest while contemplating. Before traveling, monks must stay somewhere and fast for four months during the rainy season. When it has entered the dry season or spring, Thudong will only be implemented.
"So in a year they will walk like this for four months to carry out this tradition. Coincidentally because in Indonesia there is Borobudur Temple, coinciding with Vesak Day and they walk from Thailand," explained Bhante Dhammavuddho, quoted from the official website of the Directorate General of Buddhist Bimas of the Ministry of Agriculture, Monday (15/5/2023).
Through this journey, Bhante hopes the monks can practice patience. Because, the Buddha taught that patience is the highest dhamma practice. For information, dhamma is a noble teaching that contains moral and philosophical guidelines that lead us to happiness.
"They are exposed to heat, rain, eat once a day, and drink potluck," Bhante said.
The monks are said to continue meditating throughout the journey and rest. On the way, monks will visit places of interfaith worship, such as monasteries, temples, and pesantren as resting places.
According to Google Maps records, the distance from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Borobudur Temple is about 2,797 km.
| 28,000 mlx | |
| 65 | |
| 6 |