Vesak Festival Unveils Monumental Transparent Buddha Statue in Surabaya

RRI.CO.ID, Surabaya - The Vesak Festival 2026 in Surabaya has officially unveiled the largest transparent Buddha statue (rupang) in Indonesia. The monumental artwork serves as the central centerpiece for the annual Vesak celebrations, which are being hosted at the Atrium of Tunjungan Plaza 3 Surabaya from May 27 to May 31, 2026.

The Head of the Vesak Festival 2026 Committee, Clea Alvina, confirmed that the transparent structure has successfully secured a prestigious national record from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI).

"The record was achieved in the category of the largest transparent Buddha statue in Indonesia," Clea Alvina announced in an official statement on Friday, May 29, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Clea further revealed that following the conclusion of the Surabaya exhibition, the massive installation will be disassembled and transported to the capital city. It is scheduled to be re-displayed for public viewing in Jakarta from June 3 to June 7, 2026.

The unique transparent sculpture stands at an imposing height of 5.6 meters and measures 4.6 meters in width. It was meticulously crafted by interlocking thousands of wire mesh knots together to assemble a unified, hollow human form.

According to the organizers, the transparent concept was intentionally selected to deliver a profound spiritual message. The interconnected wire weave serves as a physical manifestation of the core Buddhist philosophy of interconnectedness, specifically highlighting the profound link between human beings and their surrounding environment.

Organized by the Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia (YBAI), this year's festival is driven by the overarching theme, Interbeing: Our Happiness, Our Shared Responsibility. The association aims to introduce the fundamental values of Buddhism to the broader public through highly creative, modern, and open approaches.

Clea explained that hosting the cultural festival inside a major commercial shopping mall was a strategic choice designed to maximize public reach, particularly targeting younger generations. The organization seeks to operate as a welcoming platform that breaks down barriers, making Buddhist values more accessible and easily understood by society at large.

The official MURI adjudicator, Paula, confirmed that the transparent Buddha statue fully satisfied all of the rigorous criteria and excellence standards established by the record-tracking institution. She praised the project, noting that YBAI’s creative breakthrough has carved a new milestone in the history of the Buddhist community across Indonesia.

Furthermore, the launch of the Vesak Festival 2026 carries a deeper institutional significance for the organizers. The record-breaking event directly coincides with the one-decade anniversary of the Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia, marking exactly ten years of their ongoing mission to promote harmony and introduce Buddhist ethics within diverse Indonesian communities. ***