Jogja City

A couplet of Javanese classical verse expressing grief over loss and hope for happiness opened a 100th-day reflection and prayer gathering for the May 27 earthquake that devastated parts of Yogyakarta and Central Java provinces.

The Sept. 3 evening commemoration was organized by the Fraternal Forum of Religious Believers of Yogyakarta at Alun-alun Lor (northern square) of the Royal Palace of Yogyakarta, about 400 kilometers southeast of Jakarta.

More than 500 Buddhists, Catholics, Confucians, Hindus, Muslims, Protestants and followers of Javanese mysticism from the Yogyakarta area and from Klaten, Magelang and Surakarta in Central Java attended the event with the theme Maneges Hanyadong Wilasa (seeking God’s will by pleading for his mercy).

Illuminated by candles and 77 oncor (cans used as torches), leaders from each religion took turns leading the gathering in reflection and prayer.

In his reflection, forum chairman Kyai Abdul Muhaimin invited all participants “to always give thanks to God for all occurrences” and “to always find blessings in those occurrences.” In this way, “we would be wiser as an individual or community and would also step forward as a nation,” he said, adding that unresolved problems produce only despair.

Yogyakarta governor Sultan Hamengku Buwono X told the participants: “In this sad situation after the May 27 quake, we still can hear words from survivors that really touch our hearts. Even though they lost their property, they still can say ‘Ora apa-apa, iki mung kelangan bandha, anggere awake dhewe ora kelangan pengarep-arep’ (it is okay, we lost only our property, but not our hope).”

These words, according to him, could come only from people who emphasize a spiritual approach in their life as inherited from their ancestors. “They are victims who now have nothing, but their spirit of giving and sacrificing is very high. We should follow this spirit,” the sultan suggested.

Father Yoseph Suyatno Hadiatmaja, a co-founder of the forum, told reporters during the event, “We plead for God’s mercy and guidance for all survivors so that they can start a better life.”

The recovery process, according to the priest, should unite people. “We want people to be more saiyeg saeka praya (united in cooperation for the common goal),” he said, adding his hope that “religions will play a significant role in inspiring followers to build a better life.”

The natural disaster has a spiritual dimension, he continued, saying the forum invited people from various religions because “we want the community to reflect on the spiritual significance of the tragedy.”

The 100th-day commemoration followed a previous Javanese commemoration called Lampah Madya Ratri (walk in the middle of the night), which the forum organized to commemorate the 40th day.

Javanese traditionally commemorate a special event on the third, seventh, 40th, 100th and 1,000th days counting from the day of the event.

The religious communities will continue holding reflection and prayer services in seven towns on Java Island — Bandung, Jakarta, Malang, Purworkerto, Semarang, Surabaya, Yogyakarta — until the end of the month.

From Yogyakarta, Father Hadiatmaja said, the nation hopes to build spirituality and peace around the country.

The early-morning quake, which measured 6.2 on the Richter scale, killed about 5,800 people and injured another 50,000. It also flattened 17,000 houses and other buildings, and damaged 28,000 others.

According to Semarang archdiocese’s Commission for Social Communications, the quake affected 35,200 Catholics, killing 158 and injuring 127. It destroyed four churches and two chapels, and damaged 17 other churches.