Waisak Celebration with KBI DKI Jakarta Promotes Nusantara Spirit and Peace
The Indonesian Buddhayana Council (MBI) DKI Jakarta held the Vesak Celebration with the Indonesian Buddhayana Family (KBI) DKI Jakarta 2570 Buddhist Year/2026 at the Prasadha Jinarakkhita Auditorium, Jakarta, on Saturday (6/6). Approximately 1,000 devotees attended the celebration, which adopted the theme ‘Spreading Love, Fostering World Peace’ through a ‘Nusantara Vesak’ concept.
This concept showcased a blend of Indonesian cultures through the use of traditional regional attire, art performances from various regions, Buddhist songs, the recitation of the Dhammapada holy verses, communal prayers, and speeches from religious, community, and government figures.
The Chairman of the Indonesian Buddhayana Council DKI Jakarta, Sujanto Latip, stated that the Nusantara Vesak concept is an expression of the Buddhayana spirit inherited from the Venerable Ashin Jinarakkhita, which aims to foster the love of Buddhists for Indonesian culture. “The celebration serves as a historic momentum for Buddhists and a tangible manifestation of tolerance, togetherness, and harmony between religious communities in the capital,” said Sujanto.
He also expressed appreciation to the Jakarta Provincial Government for supporting the Vesak celebrations at the Bundaran HI roundabout, ensuring the event’s success. The Jakarta Provincial Government is known to have organised a series of activities titled ‘Illumination of Jakarta, Glow of Peace’ to welcome Vesak. These activities included various spiritual, cultural, and social agendas involving the Buddhist community, intended to strengthen social cohesion and attract both domestic and international tourists.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Vesak Committee for KBI DKI Jakarta, Irma Gunawan, hoped that the Vesak celebration could have a broader impact on society. “Through the spirit of ‘Spreading Love, Fostering World Peace’, the Indonesian Buddhayana Family DKI Jakarta hopes that the Vesak celebration is not only a spiritual moment for Buddhists but also an inspiration for all society to continue building brotherhood, strengthening tolerance, and maintaining peace in national and state life,” said Irma.
In addition to commemorating the three sacred events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama—his birth, attainment of Enlightenment, and Parinibbana—this year’s Vesak celebration also emphasised the importance of diversity as a bond for unity. The 2026 Vesak Celebration with KBI DKI Jakarta was organised through the collaboration of the Sekwil Sangha Agung Indonesia DKI Jakarta and Banten, the Indonesian Buddhayana Foundation (Yabudhi), Wulan Bahagia, the Indonesian Buddhayana Council, Indonesian Buddhist Women, the PMVBI Joint Secretariat, donors, viharas and cetiya, Buddhist religious councils, Buddhist organisations, and various interfaith elements.