Discover Peace
and Beauty
at Buddhagaya Watugong Monastery.

Watugong is a granite stone that resembles a gong, a traditional Javanese musical instrument. This stone was originally discovered accidentally by project workers involved in road construction along the route between Semarang and Solo, near the Monastery.

Its distinctive shape and cultural similarity quickly attracted attention, so the stone was designated as a local landmark. The stone, which locals began to call "Watu Gong" (Javanese meaning "gong-shaped stone"), was initially placed near a large banyan tree in front of the Monastery complex.

Like the sound of a gong that vibrates the heart, Watu Gong reminds us of the importance of wisdom in living a spiritual life.

However, to increase its visibility and symbolic presence, the stone was later moved to a position closer to the entrance gate of Buddhagaya Watugong Monastery. At this location, the banyan tree now serves as a welcoming symbol for visitors.

Sanchi Gate is the main entrance to Buddhagaya Buddhagaya Watugong Monastery. This gate consists of three passages, each decorated with Chinese-style reliefs symbolizing cultural harmony.

The architectural design of this gate is inspired by the famous Great Stupa of Sanchi in India, a site considered one of the most revered stone buildings in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Borobudur Plaza is an open area located in front of the Dhammasala building, designed in the mandala form of Borobudur Monastery.

This symbolic layout reflects the spiritual journey depicted in Borobudur architecture from the worldly to the enlightened world, representing the gradual path to spiritual awakening in Buddhism. The mandala structure in this square is not only aesthetically meaningful but also spiritually significant.

This structure reflects the three levels of Buddhist cosmology: Kamadhatu (world of desire), Rupadhatu (world of form), and Arupadhatu (formless world). Visitors walking through this space are invited to contemplate this journey, both physically and metaphorically. Borobudur Plaza serves as a multifunctional space for outdoor religious and cultural activities, such as Vesak celebrations and Dhamma walks.

The Asoka Monument is a replica of King Asoka's edict inscriptions spread across 34 regions throughout India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to inform the public about reform programs and encourage people to be more generous, wise, and moral. One of the most famous is about religious tolerance.

The Asoka stone relief located near the Sanchi Gate is a proclamation to the community regarding religious tolerance. It reads: "We should not honor our own religion by condemning other religions. Instead, other people's religions must also be respected. By doing so, we help our own religion to develop and also benefit other religions. By doing the opposite, we will harm our own religion and also harm other people's religions."

The Bodhi Tree is a very sacred symbol in Buddhism, revered as a living embodiment of enlightenment. This tree is an object of worship (devotional offering) and deep reverence for Buddhists around the world.

The tree standing in Buddhagaya Buddhagaya Watugong Monasteryis not just any tree, but a Bodhi tree from grafting whose parent comes from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, a city known as the repository of one of the oldest and most sacred Bodhi trees in the world. The tree in Anuradhapura is a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya, India, where Prince Siddhartha Gautama meditated and achieved perfect enlightenment, becoming Buddha more than 2,500 years ago.

Through this lineage, the Bodhi Tree at Watugong becomes a living link to the sacred moment in human history - a real connection to the place where the journey to liberation was fulfilled.

Avalokitesvara Pagoda is a magnificent stupa-style building with strong Chinese architectural characteristics, standing as one of the most iconic landmarks at Buddhagaya Buddhagaya Watugong Monastery. Rising 45 meters high, this pagoda is not only the tallest pagoda in Indonesia, but also a symbol of compassion, peace, and spiritual enhancement.

At the heart of the pagoda is the Metta Karuna Room, named after two core values of Buddhist teachings: loving-kindness (metta) and compassion (karuṇā). This sacred space houses a statue of Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, also revered as Guan Yin or Kwan Im Po Sat, the Goddess of Compassion. This statue is a powerful spiritual focal point, believed by its devotees to provide blessings, guidance, and protection to all beings who worship with sincere intentions.

Architecturally, this pagoda combines Chinese-Mahayana influences with local aesthetics. Its seven-tiered structure symbolizes seven levels of spiritual achievement, gradually ascending toward liberation. Each level is adorned with intricate carvings and statues representing various Bodhisattvas, guardians, and lotus motifs, all of which have deep symbolic meaning.

Buddha Parinibbana is one of the sacred objects that remains from the early construction period of Buddhagaya Buddhagaya Watugong Monastery.

This Buddharupam statue depicts the Buddha at his final moment in the world, lying on his right side under the shade of two Sala trees, symbolizing the event of Parinibbana, or the Buddha's Passing Away, when the Buddha left the cycle of rebirth and entered perfect liberation (Nibbana).

Sivali Building is one of the places of worship for Buddhists. The name Sivali itself is taken from the name of a Bhikkhu who is famous as a monk who always receives large amounts of food donations. He is known as the Lucky Bhikkhu.

One of the most prominent spiritual and visual icons at Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong, Semarang, stands as the 36 meter tall Standing Buddha Statue, constructed from bronze, symbolizing strength, resilience, and purity. Created by a local Indonesian sculptor, the monument reflects national pride and highlights the contribution of local artisans in preserving religious and cultural heritage.

The statue stands on a three tiered base, with each level representing a stage in spiritual development. The lowest tier will contain nine model Buddha statues, eventually replicated into 9,999 figures, symbolizing the expansive and universal reach of the Buddha’s teachings.

More than a sacred icon, the statue also functions as a central visual attraction within the framework of cultural tourism promotion. Within the context of this research, the Standing Buddha features as a key visual highlight in the promotional video, offering profound spiritual symbolism combined with strong aesthetic appeal to attract prospective visitors.

Dhammasala, the main building of the monastery, is the focal point of this practice. This building serves as the center of religious and spiritual activities carried out at the Monastery. These activities include puja, devotional ceremonies, meditation sessions, and ordination of monks and novices. In addition, this Monastery also serves as a place for Buddhist Dhamma discussions. This Monastery is a sacred place where monks and lay people gather to enhance understanding and application of Buddhist teachings.

Inside the Dhammasala, there is a Buddharupam (Buddha statue) in the Dhammacakkha Mudra position, which symbolizes the moment when the Buddha first proclaimed the Dhamma. This iconic posture, known as "Turning the Wheel of Dhamma," marks the beginning of Buddha's teaching journey and is a powerful symbol of enlightenment and the spread of wisdom.

On important occasions such as Vesak or Kathina, this hall plays an important role, becoming the focal point of activities marked by chanting, offerings, and collective contemplation. For novice practitioners and those without formal training, this hall serves as a place to receive guidance, attend sermons, and ask questions to perfect their practice.

If visiting the Dhammasala, visitors will find the Triratna ornament which symbolizes the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. This symbolization serves to inform visitors about the Buddha, Dhamma, and students who introduce the Triratna. Triratna is an image that represents the concept of learning to see the reality of life that is inherent by examining the fundamental elements that give rise to life processes, which are characterized by repetitive patterns and transitions. The relief on the entrance floor of the Dhammasala, which is made of green stone and circular in shape with a diameter of 120 centimeters, is very interesting. This relief shows three animals biting each other's tails, which is a symbol of the fundamental sources of human mental defilements.

Another characteristic of the Dhammasala is the representation of Paticcasamuppāda, or Dependent Origination, through the Twelve Nidānas (12 links of existence). This intricate relief not only serves as a decorative element but also as a pedagogical instrument, serving to remind visitors and practitioners of the core philosophy of Buddhist teachings, that all phenomena arise in dependence upon other phenomena.

The 12 Nidānas constitute a sequential chain that explains the process of samsara, or known as the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Each link in this chain represents a condition that gives rise to the next condition, thus illustrating how suffering continues in a continuous cycle unless one attains clear vision and true liberation. The twelve links include: 1. Avijjā (Ignorance), 2. Sankhāra (Mental formations), 3. Viññāṇa (Consciousness), 4. Nāma-rūpa (Name and form), 5. Salāyatana (Six sense bases), 6. Phassa (Contact), 7. Vedanā (Feeling), 8. Tanhā (Craving), 9. Upādāna (Clinging), 10. Bhava (Becoming), 11. Jāti (Birth), 12. Jarāmaraṇa (Aging and death)

This library serves as the monastery secretariat office and stores collections of Buddhist books and general reading books. This library is open to visitors to view or read books related to Buddhist history.

Kuti is a sacred and simple building made of ironwood, known for its strength and durability, which primarily serves as a place of rest and sleep for monks and samaneras (novice monks). The use of strong natural materials like ironwood is not only practical for long-term use, but also reflects Buddhist values of simplicity, sustainability, and harmony with nature.

Besides its main function as a residence, kuti is also used by lay people and retreat participants as a space for personal meditation and contemplation. The quiet and minimalist design of the kuti helps create a peaceful and mindful atmosphere, free from distractions. With a serene environment, it allows practitioners to focus inward, deepen concentration, and contemplate the Dhamma.

Kuti is a sacred and simple building made of ironwood, known for its strength and durability, which primarily serves as a place of rest and sleep for monks and samaneras (novice monks). The use of strong natural materials like ironwood is not only practical for long-term use, but also reflects Buddhist values of simplicity, sustainability, and harmony with nature.

Besides its main function as a residence, kuti is also used by lay people and retreat participants as a space for personal meditation and contemplation. The quiet and minimalist design of the kuti helps create a peaceful and mindful atmosphere, free from distractions. With a serene environment, it allows practitioners to focus inward, deepen concentration, and contemplate the Dhamma.