A display of unity adorned the Balairung courtyard on Saturday (December 16), where a red and white tumpeng (cone-shaped rice dish) took center stage.
Positioned on the table in front of the platform, it symbolized more than just a culinary delight—it marked the convergence of five religious leaders, each offering prayers for the nation’s well-being, the smooth conduct of the 2024 elections, and the commemoration of UGM’s 74th anniversary.
This collective prayer, an integral part of the National Feast event, was a collaborative effort between KAGAMA and the anniversary committee.
The stage hosted leaders from diverse faiths: KH Asyhari Abta, representing Islam; Jero Gede Dwija Triman from Hinduism; Pastor Bambang Sumbodo, representing Christianity; Father Adrianus Maradiyo, from Catholicism; and Bhante Badra Palo Thera, representing Buddhism.
The entrance of these religious leaders onto the stage was accompanied by a Javanese chant attributed to Sunan Kalijaga, echoing a plea for divine protection.
Bhante Badra Palo Thera commenced the interfaith prayers, expressing hope for Indonesia to remain a nation filled with serenity and peace as it approaches the upcoming democratic celebrations.
He painted a vivid metaphor of the country as a vase containing flowers of various hues—red remains red, white remains white, and yellow remains yellow.
“This is Indonesia’s image—rich in tolerance, tranquility, and peace. Despite the diversity in ethnicity, culture, and beliefs, everyone converges with the shared duty of nation-building,” he emphasized.
In the spirit of the National Feast prayers, Palo Thera envisioned the 2024 democratic celebrations as an opportunity for the nation’s maturity. He aspired for a festival where every citizen felt engaged in nation-building.
“Our wish is for Indonesia to revel in a democratic celebration, a privilege wherein our nation embraces a culture of collaboration and consensus—a celebration that signifies the maturity of a nation collectively involved in its development, not one marred by disputes and conflicts,” he added.
Jero Gede Dwija Triman, representing Hinduism, elucidated the significance of “kenduri,” describing it as a grand feast preceded by earnest requests to the divine.
Pastor Bambang Sumbodo’s prayer centered on UGM’s pivotal role in producing potential national leaders and imparting quality education to the nation’s youth.
“UGM students, the future torchbearers of the nation, hold the leadership potential. The type of leaders we nurture depends on us,” he asserted.
Concluding the prayer session, the religious leaders took turns cutting the tumpeng, with each segment entrusted to Dr. Anak Agung Gde Ngurah Ari Dwipayana (representing Hinduism), Dr. Arie Sujito (representing Islam), Maria Goretti Ambar Widijaningsih (representing Catholicism), Devito Kurniawan Candra (representing Buddhism), and Vincentia Trisna Yoelinda (representing Christianity).
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Photographer: Donnie