There’s nothing as spiritually satisfying as a travel that accompanies meditation. If you’re longing for such a spiritual expedition, Indonesia has a lot to offer. The 500 Lohan Temple is one such amazing destination where you can immerse yourself in Buddhist spirituality.
The 500 Lohan temple, also known as Vihara Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, is one of the very few monasteries that is dedicated to the Buddhist saint, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Where is it located ?
Located in Tanjung Pinang City of the Bintan Island, this surreal Buddhist monastery is featured as one of the key attractions in Bintan Island. From the outside, the 500 Lohan Temple looks like any other Buddhist monastery. But, pass through the grand stone archway made in the Chinese architectural design guarded by the statues of General Ha and General Heng, and be ready to be fascinated by the incredible sculpture park. A local guide from Locaguide could be a great choice as he can give you more insights into the meanings of the sculptures and inscriptions as well as describe some of the legends and history behind this temple.
The Golden Arhats
With 500 golden statues of arhats or Buddhist saints all lined up in perfect order and harmony, this place is truly a spiritual extravaganza. The peculiarity of these lifelike statues is that all of the arhats are sculpted with a different posture and facial features, depicting their characters in its true sense. Each statue also displays the name of the saint at its base.
The incredible Tibetan Buddhist artwork and symbols adorn the surrounding walls of the temple. The Thai style sculptures of the Buddhas along the pavilion. You can see the sculpture of the Baby Buddha, as you walk facing the pavilion.
The 500 Lohan Temple is indeed a photographer’s wonderland. It is best to explore this place along with the other tourist destinations in Bintan Island, such as the mangrove forest near the Sungei Sebung river or the quaint Senggarang village so ask your local guide to plan your day accordingly.
4
