Dozens of Monks Greeted by Friendly Indonesian Faces

Thirty-two monks performed the thudong ritual, a long-distance walk spanning thousands of kilometers from Thailand to Borobudur Temple in Central Java.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

As many as 32 monks walk along the main road in Jatibarang District, Indramayu Regency, West Java, Tuesday (17/5/2023). They came from Thailand to Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java.

Hundreds of children and elderly people stood along Jl. Letnan Joni, Jatibarang district, Indramayu regency, West Java. Under the blazing sun that afternoon, they faithfully awaited the dozens of monks who had walked from Thailand and planned to stop at the Budhi Asih Temple.

As soon as several monks carrying red and white flags arrived, the residents immediately greeted them and captured this moment with their devices. In their brown robes, the monks responded with smiles to say ‘thank you’ and ‘assalamualaikum’.