It started from a dream, mine and hers. Vihara
Nam Hai Kwan Se Im Pu Sa&nbsp; or often called
with Vihara Kwan Im by the local society was built magnificently by 2000 based
on the dream of Anotahi Kamonwathin, a Thai woman, which commanded her to build
a Vihara close to an ocean. She had ever believed the Vihara she saw in her
dream was once ever built in dynasty Qing. Yet as time went on, it disappeared.
Then she incessantly strove &nbsp;to discover a
suitable spot for building the similar one she saw in her dream. Eventually
after some intensive research and due to area limitation in Thailand, she
finally chose Pelabuhan Ratu, a town in West Java of Indonesia that happens to
be fronted by Indian ocean, the world’s third largest. The newly established Vihara
is quite famous among foreign tourists particularly from East Asian countries
although it is little advertised. It is far removed from the hubbub of town
life. &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; It was in the second day of the week of Eyd
fitr celebration in Indonesia and the world entirely, when all Muslims over the
globe were drowning in joy and happiness after having completed fasting during
Ramadhan month. As a long entrenched tradition in several countries in South
East Asia including Indonesia and Malaysia, people are used to returning to their
respective villages for celebrating the sacred day together with other family
members. In Indonesia itself, it must be made as public holiday for whole week.
Yet to me, it was a good chance to realize my long, curious dream to visit the
site that in fact is situated near to the village where I was born. 

Accompanied by an Iranian friend who happened
to visit Indonesia for learning Bahasa Indonesia for one year under Darmasiswa
scholarship program, a tantalizing program offered by the Indonesian government
to all international youths each year, I decided to borrow a motorcycle from my
big brother as I did realize no public transportation would head to the
destination. In addition, based on my family’s explanation, the infrastructure coupled
with a very narrow two-sided road was terrible, encouraging me more to take a
motorcycle without further thought.&nbsp; The scene on the sides of the road that led us
to the location was mesmerizing. At my right side, it was all about frequently
roaring waves of Indian ocean which tried to reach well-tended green rice
fields, making noises&nbsp; amid calm
atmosphere as local people preferred not to stroll in the first days of the Eyd
celebration. Perhaps, if recorded from above by a flying drone, the scene along
the shore would reflect two different realms of blue and green colours that were
eager to create harmony from one another. After 20 minutes of riding, we
finally reached a remote village called Loji where the Vihara was exactly
located. It was very challenging though as they once warned, the road would be poor
and ill-maintained. Yet luckily, it was silent as if it was made only for my
trip. Only few vehicles were seen passing by.&nbsp; We took 35 minutes in total to reach the
touristy destination that was already dotted with numerous simple traditional
restaurants near to the shore. We then parked the motorcycle in an ill-arranged
parking lot under the green hill where the meant Vihara was constructed, based
on the tukang parkir’s instruction, the man who holds responsible to manage and
arrange a parking area for which he will pick up little charge from visitors. Unlike
other touristy spots in Indonesia, Vihara Kwang Im has been always free
entrance for all religious groups as in truth the Vihara is not merely a
tourist destination, but a place for worship, mainly for Buddhists.
Furthermore, according to Collins dictionary Vihara is a type of Buddhist
temple which usually has living quarters for monks or nuns, a shrine with an
image of the Buddha, and a meditation space. No wonder, no office for selling
entrance tickets was built nearby. Yet, the challenge still remained ahead as my
family claimed to be the most difficult part that we had to climb around 500
stairs before reaching the main altar of Goddess Kwan Im! I vividly remembered
my mom told me she was forced to wait below as she avoided from being exhausted
by taking the stairs. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Once we entered the outdoor gate, we were
immediately welcomed by the seven dragon-headed statutes which were looked
grinning at us. Their yellow long tails navigated us to the top of the hill. In
addition, Nam Hai statue, the Earth Goddess looked so enthusiastic to guide us
to step inside the complex by taking the stairs. After some steps up, we passed
through the altar of God Julaihud statue who was seen staring at any visitors
with a smile face.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; In each
floor, there were the statues of God and Goddess in pursuance of Buddha’s
faith. There were also several rooms that looked like altars partitioned to
exhibit some famous figures of local myths like Prabu Siliwangi who&nbsp; historically had once ruled West Java province.&nbsp; &nbsp;Entering the place was like entering other Viharas/temples
built in China as Chinese alphabets were sketched in everywhere or the ones
constructed in Thailand as the Vihara was also decorated with some bird and
elephant- shaped statues we often see in Thailand. Unfortunately, no boards
were set up to further explain the statutes that still looked unfamiliar by
ordinary Indonesians’ views. We stopped off briefly at every floor to capture
the oceanic view from the elevation along with these statute backgrounds. &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Interestingly in the spot, &nbsp;there were also pictures of the King and the
Queen of Thailand. Yet, most intriguingly, there was a ritual place built for Nyi
Roro Kidul, a mythical queen who is believed strongly by local people as the
sole ruler of Indian ocean. Apparently, Anotahi Kamonwathin, the initiator, has
been still significantly attempting to consider her as a humble guest who had
to get unwritten permission from the queen before she built a Vihara in her
territory. A circulating rumour said, she finally got the permission after she
had mediated in an empty room number 308 that was especially arranged for the
queen’s brief stay in the large historical hotel named Samudera Beach hotel, constructed
right before the Indian ocean in 1962. 

After reaching the entrance at the top of the
hill where the main altar was situated, we had to remove our shoes for showing
our respect to Goddess Kwan Im. The two small girls sitting down on the stairs were
tasked with keeping eyes on the removed shoes and slippers of the visitors. &nbsp; &nbsp;The smiling statue of Goddess Kwan Im put at
the centre was encircled by other smaller holy figures in accordance with
Buddha’s faith. Some local tourists, mostly from Chinese ethnicity, were looked
deeply praying by holding the three thin incense sticks. It seemed important
that they held the incense high up against their heads for displaying respect
and subjugation. The sticks were available free for those who may have
forgotten to bring some. After praying, they came approaching a small pond near
to the statue to throw away coins to have been believed robustly will bring
economic lucks and prosperity.&nbsp; For
information, so far Indonesian government has recognized formally six
religions; Islam (87%), Christian Protestant (6,96%), Christian Catholic
(2,9%), Hindu (0,72%), Buddha 0,05% and Kong Hu Cu 0,13%. 

I took a deep breath while watching over the
blue deep ocean from the highest level in the area. The picturesque scene was
breathtakingly beautiful as I was entrapped in the depth of the dense forest
that a little part of it has been transformed into an unbelievable sacred
building. It would get my heart rate up. &nbsp; &nbsp;The &nbsp;cool wind blew amid typical humidity of a
tropical island. Indeed, it was a blend between spiritual energy and natural
beauty. Most importantly, it has echoed tolerance and co-existence in
religiosity to the international community well exhibited by Indonesian people
who co-maintain the place carefully. The Thai woman has been acutely aware before
she kicked off constructing the Vihara that most Indonesians people are
Muslims. 

I and my Iranian friend concluded the chapter
of my journey by sipping a glass of coconut water provided by many beachfront
restaurants down the hill. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; If You Go

The full address : Loji village, Pelabuhan Ratu
sub-region, Sukabumi region, west Java. From Jakarta the capital, the location
can be reached 4 hours by car. 

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Vihara Kwan Im in West Java, Indonesia : A blend between Spiritual energy and Natural beauty

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