A total of 38 Bhikkhus from Thailand, currently carrying out the Thudong spiritual journey to Borobudur Temple to celebrate Vesak 2569 BE / 2025, arrived in Jakarta on April 19, 2025, and were welcomed during the National Prayer event at the Si Mian Fo Riverwalk Island religious tourism destination in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK). 

This 2,500 km Thudong journey, passing through Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, has attracted tourists’ attention as a form of spiritual tourism that combines cultural, religious, and diversity values. Around 10,000 Buddhists attended and participated in the collective prayer event. 
Soegiandi, Chairman of the Sanggar Sinar Suci Foundation and the Thudong Si Mian Fo Committee, explained that the Thudong Bhikkhus have a mission: they wish for peace in the world and for everyone to respect differences. “From this mission, we can take the idea of a national prayer to be carried out by interfaith leaders, where we pray for our country and nation to grow stronger, more prosperous, and to further realize tolerance and world peace,” he added. 

The Bhikkhus were welcomed by pagar ayu and pagar bagus (traditional greeters) dressed in traditional attire, along with a line of NU (Nahdlatul Ulama) students waving a 780-meter-long Indonesian flag, symbolizing nationalism as well as unity and religious harmony in Indonesia. The sense of togetherness grew even stronger as national songs were sung together. The event continued with a food offering ceremony known as Pindapata, where the symbolic release of birds in front of the Si Mian Fo gate marked the beginning of the activities. This was followed by Sanghadana, the giving of donations to the Bhikkhus, which would later be distributed to social institutions. The entire series of activities concluded with blessings bestowed by the Bhikkhus. 

This solemn yet festive event was attended by Suproyadi, Director General of Buddhist Community Guidance; Ali Maulana Hakim, Mayor of North Jakarta; Natalia Kusumo and Ipeng Widjojo, CEOs of Agung Sedayu Group; as well as officials, interfaith leaders, the general public, and tourists. From the traditional welcoming ceremony, Pindapata, Sanghadana, to the blessings from the Bhikkhus, everything created a unique and inspiring spiritual tourism experience. 
Prof. Ali Ramdhani, Head of the Religious Moderation and Human Resource Development Agency of the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, representing the Minister of Religious Affairs, expressed his gratitude for the successful organization of the Thudong 2025 event in his speech. “Let us offer our praises and gratitude to God Almighty because through His blessings and grace, we are able to be here together in a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere at this National Prayer and Thudong 2025 event in welcoming the Holy Vesak Day 2569 BE/2025,” he said. 
Bhante Wichai, representing the Bhikkhus carrying out the Thudong, expressed hope that their journey would carry a message of peace for Indonesia. “We come to spread the Dhamma and unite people in peace, amid Indonesia’s diversity,” he stated. 

Fatih, one of the visitors, came with his family to make offerings by bringing lots of food to be shared with the Thudong Bhikkhus as supplies for their journey to Borobudur. 
The Thudong Bhikkhus’ visit is expected to further strengthen Indonesia’s image as a world-class spiritual tourism destination while showcasing the richness of cultural heritage and the value of harmony in diversity to both domestic and international tourists. 
The welcoming activities concluded with a national prayer led by the Thudong Bhikkhus and Indonesian Sangha leaders, praying for tolerance and world peace.