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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Culture & Society

Buddhist Monks Visit Gus Dur's Grave Ahead of Waisak

From Republika · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • 57 Buddhist monks from Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and Indonesia are participating in the 'Indonesia Walk for Peace 2026' ritual.
  • The monks visited the grave of former Indonesian President KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) in Jombang, East Java.
  • Gus Dur is revered as a figure of pluralism, and the monks will continue their pilgrimage to Nganjuk and Central Java to celebrate Waisak.

The spiritual journey of 57 Buddhist monks from across Asia, participating in the 'Indonesia Walk for Peace 2026,' has brought a unique interfaith moment to East Java. Their pilgrimage to the tomb of former President KH Abdurrahman Wahid, affectionately known as Gus Dur, highlights the enduring legacy of his commitment to pluralism and tolerance in Indonesia. This visit, undertaken as part of their Thudong ritual, resonates deeply within Indonesia, a nation that prides itself on its diversity and the harmonious coexistence of different faiths. The monks' journey from Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and within Indonesia itself, to pay respects at Gus Dur's final resting place in Jombang, underscores his national and regional significance as a champion of interreligious dialogue. Their continued walk towards Nganjuk and Central Java for the upcoming Waisak celebration signifies a broader message of peace and understanding that is particularly relevant in today's world. For Indonesians, this event is not just a religious observance but a reaffirmation of the national ideology, Pancasila, which emphasizes unity in diversity.

About this summary

Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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