PAGODA AVALOKITSVARA BUDDHAGAYA, Semarang's Tourism

Buddhagaya Temple Watugong or also known as Buddhagaya Vihara is one of Buddhist temples located inPudakpayung , Banyumanik , Semarang , Central Java . The exact location is in front of the Headquarters of Kodam IV / Diponegoro . The Buddhagaya Watugong Buddhagaya complex consists of two main master buildings namely Avalokitesvara Pagoda and Dhammasala as well as several other buildings. Avalokitesvara Pagoda is a building that has high artistic value, with a height of 45 meters and is designated as the highest pagoda in Indonesia . Inside is a statue of the Goddess Kwan Im with a height of five meters. While Dhammasala consists of two floors where the ground floor is used as a multipurpose hall room for meeting and upstairs is used for religious ceremonies that contain statues of the Buddha . Other buildings in the monastery are Watugong, Plaza Borobudur, Kuti Meditasi, Kuti Bhikku, community reading park, Buddha Parinibana, Abhaya Mudra and Bodhi Tree. 

At first the Buddhagaya Temple was used only as a place of worship. However, by looking at building architecture that is very thick with ethnic Chinese and Thai , so finally this monastery also developed into objects and attractions. This monastery became one of the pride for the citizens of Semarang City in particular and Central Java in general.

History 

In 1955 Bhikkhu Ashin Jinarakkhita led the celebration of Waisak 2549 at Borobudur Temple , at that time there was also a landlord who became a landlord from Semarang named Goei Thwan Ling with a background of Buddhism impressed on the kepiawan and personality of Bhikku Ashin Jinarakkhita , the Goei Thwan Ling grants and presents some of his land to be used as the center and development of Buddha Dhamma . That place was later named Buddhagaya monastery. On October 19, 1955 the Buddhagaya Foundation was established to house the monastery . From this monastery then a new episode of the development of the Buddha Dhamma continues. Watugong Buddhagaya temple has a long history to the great development of today. Approximately 500 years after the collapse of the MajapahitKingdom, emerged various events and events that awaken the various circles of the inhabitants will be the noble heritage of the ancestor of the Buddha Dhamma in order to be re-practiced by the adherents. The business that originally many initiated in the Dutch East Indies . Finally, the hope of someone who is able to teach Buddha Dhamma to the people can be realized by the presence of the monk Narada Maha Thera of Sri Lanka in 1934. The grave was welcomed, the presence of Dhammadutta is used by the people and sympathizers to develop the discussion and ask for a broader translation of Dhamma again. Peak emerged the first son of Indonesia who devoted himself fully to the spread of Buddha Dhamma , namely Bogor youth named The Boan An who later became BhikkhuAshin Jinarakkhita . 

Beginning in 1955, Bhikkhu Ashin Jinarakkhita the pioneer of the resurrection of Dhamma Buddhas in the archipelago settled in the Buddhagaya Temple of Semarang . Much of the great history he incited with the Buddhagaya Buddhas, such as Upasika Indonesia during the celebration of Asidha in July 1955, initiated the Jayanti Buddhist celebrations commemorated by Buddhists around the world in 1956, the planting of Bodhi trees on May 24, 1956 and the founding of the first Sima International in KASAP (behind Makodam IV / Diponegoro ) for the ordination of Bhikkhu . ^[2]

Then for some time for about eight years this monastery had been abandoned, but now rises again under the guidance of the Theravada Sangha . So in February 2001 revitalization and renovation was done in this monastery which started first with the construction of Dhammasala Building which was inaugurated on November 3, 2002 by the Governor of Central Java namely H.Mardiyanto . Furthermore, another building was built namely Avalokitesvara Pagoda in November 2004 and inaugurated on July 14, 2005 by the Governor of Central Java, namely H.Mardiyanto . ^[3]

Dhammasala Building 

Dhammasala Building is one of the main building consisting of two floors and is located on the right side of the monastery . Downstairs as a vast multipurpose hall room with a stage in front of it and commonly used for meeting activities. The upper floor serves as a place of puja bhakti (main worship hall) which can accommodate 1000 people. To go to the upper room, must be from the outside because there is no ladder connecting. 

The tourist attraction of potential Dhammasala Building among others can be seen from the shape of the building that comes from Thailand is a tapered roof and surrounded by carved forms that are outside the building. In addition, there is also a statue of Buddha sitting as high as about five meters made of brass and similar to those in Mendut Temple . The Dhammasala building becomes an important place but it is common because it is a place for religious holidays and activities related to government such as: as a meeting place of Buddhist organizations starting from Semarang , Central Java , national and international meeting held every year according to schedule the manager of the Watugong Buddhagaya Vihara.

Avalokitesvara Pagoda 

The 45-meter-high pagoda is built with almost all building constructions made of concrete. In this building many use a red background brought from the Chinese tradition, which according to Chinese symbolizes happiness. This pagoda consists of seven levels which houses about 30 statues of worship. Inside is an avalokitesvara Boddhisatva that is 5 meters tall and gigantic inhabits its tall central cavity, surrounded by mountains of fruits and flowers as offerings.Avalokitesvara Pagoda or also known as Kwan Im Pagoda is another main building located right on the main road of the Watugong Buddhagaya Temple. It was built in August 2004 and was inaugurated on July 14, 2005. The building was named the highest pagoda in Indonesia. In this building is also very thick with Chinese culture which is a sacred building as the embodiment of Metta Karuna (love) of the Buddhas in this universe. 

Outside the pagoda there are four statues of the Goddess Kwan Im and a statue of Commander We Po . The shape of thepagoda building itself consists of six stacks above the walls that encircle the eight sides called Pat Kwa. Each side of the outside wall there is a Statue of Goddess Kwan Im .