Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), located on the north coast of Jakarta, has become one of the favourite tourist destinations due to its variety of attractions, ranging from beach spots to culinary and religious tourism. 

The PIK area, managed by Agung Sedayu Group and Salim Group, has been developed into a modern city with complete and updated facilities, harmoniously combining residential, business, and recreational areas. 

One of the areas currently under development is the Simpang Empat Riverwalk Island PIK. Here, the Si Mian Fo (Phra Phrom) Worship House was inaugurated on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, to facilitate Buddhist worship. The inauguration ceremony was led by Indonesia’s Sangha Dhammaduta, Your Highness, Bhikkhu Khanit Sannano Maha Thera, and attended by Nyoman Suriadarma, Director of Buddhist Community Guidance, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Susanto Kusumo, Chairman & Group CEO; Richard Halim Kusuma, Steven Kusumo, Linda Kusumo and Natalia Kusumo, Board of Directors of Agung Sedayu Group; David Chaniago, Chairman of the Tridharma Indonesia Council; and Soegiandi, Chairman of the Sanggar Sinar Suci Foundation. The inauguration plaque was signed by H.E. Mr. Prapan Disyatat, Ambassador of Thailand to Indonesia, and Drs. Supriyadi, M.Pd., Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. 

Si Mian Fo, also known as the Four-Faces Buddha, is a well-known religious site in Bangkok, Thailand, attracting thousands of pilgrims and tourists who come to pray for their wishes to be fulfilled. The Si Mian Fo at PIK is an exact replica of the one at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok and was created by Thai artists, embodying many positive hopes. “Agung Sedayu Group hopes that the presence of Si Mian Fo on Riverwalk Island PIK will bring goodness to the community. Besides being a place of worship, the messages and values in each face of Si Mian Fo remind us to walk the path of virtue,” expressed Steven Kusumo in his speech. 

The establishment of Si Mian Fo at Riverwalk Island PIK went through a long process. “Today’s inauguration is a very special day as it coincides with Si Mian Fo’s Grand Day,” explained Richard Halim Kusuma to the thousands of people attending the event. 

Si Mian Fo is believed to represent Brahma Vihara, the Creator and Lord of all things in the world. Besides creating the world, Brahma also created heaven and humanity. Si Mian Fo embodies the meaning of the four teachings of Brahma or Dhamma: Metta (loving-kindness), Karuna (compassion), Muditta (sympathetic joy), and Upekkha (equanimity). 

“I hope many devotees will come to pray here, but more importantly, that they understand the essence and meaning of the four teachings of Brahma Vihara. Many Buddhists in Indonesia are familiar with Dhamma and study Meta (Loving-Kindness), the most important of these four teachings,” said Bhikkhu Tanjaokhunpra Srisompoht, Deputy Head of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen Temple, in an interview in Bangkok last year about the Si Mian Fo PIK plan. 

On November 9th, 2024, thousands of worshipers gathered to pray, hoping to bring blessings to all humanity. There were many inspiring and touching stories from devotees who felt blessed during the event’s preparations. One such story was from Parlin, Chairman of Si Mian Fo Shrine PIK, who felt a special calling to manage the shrine after visiting Bangkok, Thailand. 

“I hope that in the future, this can strengthen Indonesia-Thailand relations, and that it will attract not only domestic tourists but also more international tourists to PIK & PIK2,” said Natalia Kusumo in her speech. 

The presence of Si Mian Fo on Riverwalk Island PIK aims to make it easier for PIK residents, visitors, and the surrounding community to visit and offer prayers conveniently and nearby.