A Celebration of Diversity

The parade was not only a majestic display of religious devotion, but also a touching testimony of the participants' respect toward cultural and religious diversity. Indonesian citizens of Balinese, Chinese, Javanese and other ethnics origins, and of different religious beliefs, shared the parade as a lively celebration of cultural diversity.


Two Balinese gambelan orchestras provided the parade with a sweet local flavour. An orchestra of Angklung (from the hamlet of Begawan in southern Denpasar) marched in front of the decorated car that carried the Buddha Rupam. Its sentimental melody strengthened the parade's aura of solemnity. Simultaneously, an orchestra of the fast, spirited Bleganjur boosted the spirit of hundreds of Buddhists who walked in a long procession behind the Buddha Rupam.

The presence of the two gambelan orchestras was a clear evidence of the open, friendly nature of the Balinese culture and religious belief system. For centuries, the local culture and belief system have always been able to receive foreign cultural and religious influences in a peaceful manner characterized by a spirit of creative collaboration and mutually-enriching aesthetic dialogues.



It was a parade that highlighted the best of the three cultures; the bright colors of the Chinese offerings, the dynamic music and intricate carvings of the Balinese and the tranquil simplicity of the Theravadin. It was a beautiful event that showcased the harmonius inter-cultural and inter-religious relationship, which for over a thousand years has became the most prominent feature of Bali's socio-cultural landscape.



Sabbhe Satta Bhavantu Sukhitatta
May All Beings are in the State of Happiness
Sabbhe Satta Avero Hontu
May All Beings are in the State of Peacefulness


Mettacittena
With a Mind of Love

Marlowe and Jun