Viharas accept governor's decision

Viharas accept governor's decision

JAKARTA (JP): Chinese Buddhist temple boards in the city appear to have accepted the governor's decision forbidding them from celebrating Imlek, Chinese New Year, in their temples or in public areas.

Kho Ben, an officer of the Glodok, West Jakarta Vihara Dharma Bhakti Foundation, acknowledged that they have received and will abide by the governor's decision on Imlek celebrations, which will occur next Monday, Feb. 19.

The vihara which was built some 300 years ago is managed by the Dharma Bhakti Foundation.

"Most of the board members of the Dharma Bhakti Foundation refuse to discuss the governor's call," he told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Asking whether the temple will be open for the celebration, he said that the decision will be taken by the jemaat (members).

A temple officer, who refused to be identified, said that the Imlek celebration is part of Tridharma rituals which form part of Buddhism, and that such culture should be protected.

Surjadi has told Jakartans not to celebrate Imlek in vihara or public places. He was quoted by Pos Kota on Wednesday as saying that such a celebration is just part of Chinese culture.

"The Imlek celebration is not part of Buddhism," he stressed.

He said he expected that the Jakartans to celebrate the Imlek only among their relatives.

A tent was set up yesterday at Vihara Dharma Bhakti to accommodate the visitors expected to pray on Chinese New Year's Eve on Feb. 18.

Meanwhile, Imlek accessories vendors in Glodok said that this year celebrations are expected to be brighter than last year because the celebration coincides with Idul Fitri.

A Fund, a vendor in front of the City Hotel, Glodok, said that the sales of Imlek accessories seem to have increased despite the government's decision.

The vendors sell red candles, pies (popularly known as "kue ranjang"), pictures of Buddha and other accessories which are mostly red. (04)