Vihara Tanda Bhakti, the Node of Buddhist Activities in the City of Bandung
The city of Bandung is known as a city with tolerance and diversity of tribes, races, and religions. Ahead of Chinese New Year, a number of houses of worship have begun to prepare for this big day. One of them is Vihara Atanda Bhakti.
Vihara Tanda Bhakti, the Node of Buddhist Activities in the City of Bandung
The city of Bandung is known as a city with tolerance and diversity of tribes, races, and religions. Ahead of Chinese New Year, a number of houses of worship have begun to prepare for this big day. One of them is Vihara Atanda Bhakti.
Bandung Public Relations had the opportunity to visit the Tanda Bhakti Vihara. This monastery is located in the Temple area, or precisely on Jalan Vihara, Bandung. The location is relatively easy to reach.
The prayer leader at the Tanda Bhakti Vihara, Heny, explained that this house of worship had been inaugurated since 1976. At the beginning of its establishment, this monastery was only strengthened by a few people.
"Development at this monastery is getting more and more rapid, along with the increasing tolerance in us," said Heny, Monday, January 24, 2022.
Vihara Tanda Bhakti has experienced rapid development since entering the decade of the 2000s. This monastery is filled by the Tri Dharma, aka the three schools of Buddhist belief: Tao, Khong Hu Chu, and Buddha itself. Until now, Heny said there are around 80 people who worship at this monastery.
Likewise with the activities. So far, there are various types of worship held at the Tanda Bhakti Vihara. But in a year (AD), Heny underlined three major days in Buddhist belief which are also usually celebrated at the Tanda Bhakti Monastery.
The first is Chinese New Year. The holiday that only counts today is the new year. Usually, Chinese New Year brings different themes and messages of kindness in each edition.
Then there is Ceng Beng. This religious event is a grave pilgrimage tradition that is usually carried out by the Chinese community on April 4 and 5 every year.
Not only visiting graves, people also clean tombs and pray for their ancestors during the pilgrimage.
"So we remember our ancestors by cleaning their graves," explained Heny.
Then the third is the Ullambhana ceremony. This one religious ritual is one of the offerings for the ancestors and also the spirits who first preceded us.
In addition to praying, in this ritual, various kinds of food are also presented which are also distributed to the community around the monastery.
In 2022, Vihara Tanda Bhakti is included as part of the fifth Tolerance Village which was inaugurated by Plt. Mayor of Bandung, Yana Mulyana. Asked about this, Heny said he was happy.
"Proud, happy too. We can be a part of tolerance itself in Bandung. I hope this can be a momentum so that religious people in this city are more harmonious and always collaborate in doing good,” he said.
When asked about his hopes for the Lunar New Year, he hoped that this year's Lunar New Year would be a momentum to create the Year of Tolerance, especially in the city of Bandung.
“Diversity is a big asset that we have. Tolerance is the right way to maximize it,” said Heny.*
