The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs attended the 41st Pujawali ceremony at Pura Amerta Jati in Cinere, Depok City, on Saturday. The presence of the Director General not only to join devotees in collective worship but also to deliver dharma wacana (religious discourse), encouraging Hindus to remain steadfast in upholding Dharma amid life’s many challenges.
The 41st Pujawali served as an important reminder of the need to preserve religious traditions while strengthening solidarity within the Hindu community. The celebration also provided a meaningful opportunity for devotees to deepen their understanding of Dharma as a guiding principle in everyday life.
The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance, Prof. I Nengah Duija, expressed his appreciation to the organizing committee and the temple guardians for their dedication in preparing the sacred ceremony. He noted that the spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation reflected the strong commitment of Hindus to sustaining religious life.
“I deeply appreciate the organizing committee and the temple guardians who have worked sincerely to ensure the smooth implementation of this 41st Pujawali. This spirit of unity is a vital strength that must continue to be nurtured within the Hindu community,” he said.
In his dharma wacana, Prof. Duija reminded devotees that every individual experiences life’s challenges in different forms. He urged Hindus not to lose hope and to continue making Dharma the foundation of every decision and action.
“Life’s challenges come in many forms and are experienced by everyone. What matters most is not how difficult those challenges are, but how we remain focused on the path of Dharma and stay true to our purpose in life,” he said.
Reinforcing his message, Prof. Duija referred to the exile of the Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. He explained that the exile symbolized not only hardship but also the steadfastness, patience, and unwavering commitment of the Pandavas to Dharma, which ultimately led them to victory.
“The Pandavas did not achieve victory instantly. They endured countless challenges without abandoning Dharma. Their example teaches us that faithfulness to the path of righteousness enables us to overcome life’s challenges,” he explained.
Prof. Duija further emphasized that Dharma should not remain merely theoretical knowledge but must be manifested in daily conduct through honesty, responsibility, discipline, and compassion toward others. These values, he said, form a strong foundation for building a resilient community and strengthening unity in a diverse society.
The 41st Pujawali of Pura Amerta Jati was not only a religious celebration but also a meaningful moment of reflection for Hindus to strengthen their śraddhā (faith), reaffirm their commitment to living by Dharma, and draw inspiration from the noble values of Hindu teachings to be practiced in everyday life.
Editor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gusti Ngurah Sathya Dharma
Contributed and translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
