It was a quiet evening in Sunter area, North Jakarta. The sky was dark, no rain, even in the southern and eastern parts of the city were already wet, some even flooded.
I visited Vihara Dharma Jaya. Located around Senen triangle since 1826, it was moved to Sunter Agung Utara on 1990. The previous location was then replaced by Atrium Senen, a shopping mall.
Some buddhists were praying, some were just chatting outside the vihara's building. Inside, at the main altar, three bronze statues of Buddha sat silently. And smell of hios; sounds of fireworks from the vihara's neighbourhood.
The vihara was waiting a new year ceremony. On 11 PM that night, they would read 'parita', taken from the holy verses of Tripitaka. After the parita reading, together the buddhists would pray. "For goodness to all living creatures, not merely human kind," said Djaya Gunawan, head of the vihara.
The time period from February 18th of 2007, to February 6th of 2008, is marked on the Chinese calendar as the Year of the Fire Swine. Or, Tahun Babi Api. How the year's going to be, if you believe in fortune telling, can be watched on your TV. It's the TVs' theme, lately. Mainly in those gossip shows.
So, now let me congratulate all of us a new year, a good year ahead. Even though personally I don't celebrate Imlek. Pray, and work, for your own hopes. Like Liana, 22, whom I met in the vihara. The cute college girl prayed for the minithesis she's working on this year.
Gong Xi Fa Chai!
Like Liana, 22, whom I met in the vihara. The cute college girl prayed for the minithesis she's working on 
