Buddhism in Indonesia
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Total population | |
---|---|
![]() 0.71% of population | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Jakarta, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Banten, Riau, Riau Islands, West Java, East Java, South Sumatra, Central Java.[3] | |
Religions | |
Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism | |
Languages | |
Indonesian and Mandarin Chinese Japanese and Thai (minority) |
Buddhism has a long history in Indonesia, and it is one of the six recognized religions in the country, along with Islam, Christianity (Protestantism and Catholicism), Hinduism and Confucianism. According to 2023 estimates roughly 0.71% of the total citizens of Indonesia were Buddhists, numbering around 2 million. Most Buddhists are concentrated in Jakarta, Riau, Riau Islands, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatra, and West Kalimantan. These totals, however, are probably inflated, as practitioners of Taoism and Chinese folk religion, which are not considered official religions of Indonesia, likely declared themselves as Buddhists on the most recent census.[4] Today, the majority of Buddhists in Indonesia are Chinese and other East Asians, but small communities of native Buddhists (such as Javanese and Sasak) also exist.
History
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Antiquity
Buddhism is the second oldest outside religion in Indonesia after Hinduism, which arrived from India around the second century.[4] The history of Buddhism in Indonesia is closely related to the history of Hinduism, as a number of empires influenced by Indian culture were established around the same period. The arrival of Buddhism in the Indonesian archipelago began with trading activity, from the early 1st century, by way of the maritime Silk Road between Indonesia and India.[6] The oldest Buddhist archaeological site in Indonesia is arguably the Batujaya stupas complex in Karawang, West Java. The oldest relic in Batujaya was estimated to originate from the 2nd century, while the latest dated from the 12th century. Subsequently, significant numbers of Buddhist sites were found in Jambi, Palembang, and Riau provinces in Sumatra, as well as in Central and East Java. The Indonesian archipelago has, over the centuries, witnessed the rise and fall of powerful Buddhist empires, such as the Sailendra dynasty and the Mataram and Srivijaya empires.
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According to some Chinese sources, the Chinese Buddhist monk I-tsing, while on his pilgrim journey to India, witnessed the powerful maritime empire of Srivijaya based on Sumatra in the 7th century. The empire served as a Buddhist learning center in the region. A notable Srivijayan revered Buddhist scholar is Dharmakīrtiśrī, a Srivijayan prince of the Sailendra dynasty, born around the turn of the 7th century in Sumatra.[7] He became a revered scholar-monk in Srivijaya and moved to India to become a teacher at the famed Nalanda University, as well as a poet. He built on and reinterpreted the work of Dignaga, the pioneer of Buddhist Logic, and was very influential among Brahman logicians as well as Buddhists. His theories became normative in Tibet and are studied to this day as a part of the basic monastic curriculum. Other Buddhist monks who visited Indonesia were Atisha, Dharmapala, a professor of Nalanda, and the South Indian Buddhist Vajrabodhi. Srivijaya was the largest Buddhist empire ever formed in Indonesian history. Indian empires such as the Pala empire helped fund Buddhism in Indonesia; specifically funding a monastery for Sumatran monks.[8]
A number of Buddhist historical heritages can be found in Indonesia, including the 8th century Borobudur mandala monument and Sewu temple in Central Java, Batujaya in West Java, Muaro Jambi, Muara Takus and Bahal temple in Sumatra, and numerous of statues or inscriptions from the earlier history of Indonesian Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms. During the era of Kediri, Singhasari and Majapahit empire, Buddhism — identified as Dharma ri Kasogatan — was acknowledged as one of kingdom's official religions along with Hinduism. Although some of kings may have favored Hinduism, harmony, toleration, and even syncretism were promoted as a manifestation of the national motto, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which was coined from the Kakawin Sutasoma, written by Mpu Tantular to promote tolerance and coexistence between Hindus (Shivaites) and Buddhists.[9] The classical era of ancient Java has also produced some of the most exquisite examples of Buddhist arts; such as the statue of Prajnaparamita and the statue of Buddha Vairochana and Boddhisttva Padmapani and Vajrapani located in the Mendut temple.
Decline and revival
In the 13th century Islam entered the archipelago, and began gaining foothold in coastal port towns. The fall of Hindu-Buddhist Majapahit empire in late 15th century marked the end of Dharmic civilization in Indonesia. By the end of the 16th century, Islam had supplanted Hinduism and Buddhism as the dominant religion of Java and Sumatra. For 450 years after that there was no significant Buddhist practice in Indonesia. Many Buddhist sites, stupas, temples, and manuscripts were lost or forgotten as the region became predominantly Muslim. During this era of decline few people practiced Buddhism, most of them are Chinese immigrants who settled in Indonesia when migration accelerated in the 17th century. Many of klenteng (Chinese temples) in Indonesia are in fact a tridharma temple that houses three faiths, namely Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.
In 1934, Narada Thera, a missionary monk from Sri Lanka, visited the Dutch East Indies for the first time as part of his journey to spread the Dharma in Southeast Asia. This opportunity was seized by local Buddhists to revive Buddhism in Indonesia. A Bodhi tree planting ceremony was held on the Southeastern side of Borobudur on March 10, 1934, under the blessing of Narada Thera, and some Upasakas were ordained as monks.[4]
Modern Indonesia
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Following the downfall of President Sukarno in the mid-1960s, Pancasila was reasserted as the official Indonesian policy on religion to only recognise monotheism.[10] As a result, the founder of Perbuddhi (Indonesian Buddhists Organisation), Bhikku Ashin Jinarakkhita, proposed that there was a single supreme Buddhist deity, Sanghyang Adi Buddha (although this interpretation of the Buddha is controversial and not widely accepted by the Theravada school of Buddhism). His interpretations are said to be backed up with the history behind the Indonesian version of Buddhism in ancient Javanese texts, and the shape of the Borobudur Temple.
During the New Order era, Buddhism was recognized as one of the five official religions of Indonesia. The national leader of the time, Suharto, had considered Buddhism and Hinduism as Indonesian classical religions.[citation needed]
During Suharto’s reign, the expression and practice of Chinese cultural identity were virtually suppressed. As a result, many Chinese traditional beliefs such as Confucianism and Taoism were incorporated into the Buddhist practices of Chinese Indonesian Buddhists who are mostly of the Mahayana School. The combination of the three teachings is known as Tri-dharma.
Initially, Confucianism was recognized as one of the six official religions of Indonesia in 1965, when Soekarno launched the Presidential Decree No. 1/1965 on the Prevention of Blasphemy. After Soeharto came into power, Confucianism was initially tolerated and still recognized, but in 1977 he issued a policy degrading Confucianism as a sect (aliran kepercayaan) and revoked its recognition by the government. It was only after the fall of Suharto and the repeal of decree No. 14/1967 on the Prohibition of Practicing Chinese Rituals and Beliefs by President Abdurrahman Wahid was Confucianism re-classified as an officially recognized religion by the Indonesian government.[11]
The first Theravada ordination of bhikkhunis in Indonesia after more than a thousand years occurred in 2015 at Wisma Kusalayani in Lembang, Bandung, West Java[12]
Today, in reference to the principle of Pancasila, a Buddhist monk representing the Buddhist Sangha, along with a priest, Brahmin, clergy or representative of other recognized religions, would participate in nearly all state-sponsored ceremonies. The ceremony would always include a prayer (led by a Muslim imam with representatives of other faiths standing in a row behind him). Although the majority of Indonesian Buddhists are of the Chinese Mahayana school, more often than not the representative of Buddhism as selected by the Government would happen to be a Theravada monk.[citation needed]
Once a year, thousands of Buddhists from Indonesia and neighboring countries flock to Borobudur to commemorate the national Waisak Day.[13]
Literature
The oldest extant esoteric Buddhist Mantranaya (largely a synonym of Mantrayana, Vajrayana and Buddhist Tantra) literature in Old Javanese, a language significantly influenced by Sanskrit, is enshrined in the Sang Kyang Kamahayanan Mantranaya.[14]
The Lalitavistara Sutra was known to the Mantranaya stonemasons of Borobudur, refer: The birth of Buddha (Lalitavistara). 'Mantranaya' is not a corruption or misspelling of 'mantrayana' even though it is largely synonymous. Mantranaya is the term for the esoteric tradition on mantra, a particular lineage of Vajrayana and Tantra, in Indonesia. The clearly Sanskrit sounding 'Mantranaya' is evident in Old Javanese tantric literature, particularly as documented in the oldest esoteric Buddhist tantric text in Old Javanese, the Sang Kyang Kamahayanan Mantranaya refer Kazuko Ishii (1992).[15]
Current practice
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In Indonesia, Buddhism is mainly followed by the Chinese community and some small indigenous groups of Indonesia, with 0.8% (including Taoism and Confucianism) of Indonesia's population being Buddhists.[16][4][17] Most Chinese Indonesians reside in urban areas, thus Indonesian Buddhist also mostly living in urban areas. Top ten Indonesian provinces with significant Buddhist populations are; Jakarta, North Sumatra, West Kalimantan, Banten, Riau, Riau Islands, West Java, East Java, South Sumatra, and Central Java.[3]
A small minority of Sasaks called the "Bodha" are mainly found in the village of Bentek and on the slopes of Gunung Rinjani, Lombok. They had managed to avoid any Islamic influence and worship deities like Dewi Sri with Esoteric Buddhist and Hindu influences in their rituals due to their secluded geographical location. This group of Sasak, due in part to the name of their tribe, are recognized as Buddhists by the Indonesian government. At present, there are more than 10,000 Buddhists in their community and belonging to the Theravadin tradition.[18]
Pockets of Javanese Buddhists also exist and are to be found mainly in villages and cities in Central and East Java. The regencies of Temanggung, Blitar and Jepara count about 30,000 Buddhists, mostly of Javanese ethnicity. For example, native Javanese Buddhists population formed as the majority in mountainous villages of Kaloran subdistrict in Temanggung Regency, Central Java.[19]
Civil registration (2018)
According to the 2018 civil registration, there were 2,062,150 Buddhists in Indonesia.[20] The percentages of Buddhism in Indonesia increased from 0.7% in 2010 to 0.77% in 2018.
Province (2018 Census.) | Total population | Buddhist population | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
Indonesia | 266,534,836 | 2,062,150 | |
Jakarta | 11,011,862 | 399,005 | |
North Sumatra | 14,908,036 | 361,402 | |
West Kalimantan | 5,427,418 | 330,638 | |
Riau Islands | 1,961,388 | 143,755 | |
Banten | 10,868,810 | 136,183 | |
Riau | 6,149,692 | 133,744 | |
West Java | 45,632,714 | 98,780 | |
East Java | 40,706,075 | 74,186 | |
South Sumatra | 8,267,779 | 67,504 | |
Bangka Belitung Islands | 1,394,483 | 66,705 | |
Central Java | 36,614,603 | 53,578 | |
Jambi | 3,491,764 | 34,376 | |
Bali | 4,236,983 | 28,635 | |
Lampung | 9,044,962 | 27,397 | |
South Sulawesi | 9,117,380 | 21,661 | |
West Nusa Tenggara | 3,805,537 | 16,654 | |
East Kalimantan | 3,155,252 | 15,535 | |
South Kalimantan | 2,956,784 | 12,412 | |
Aceh | 5,253,512 | 7,444 | |
Central Sulawesi | 2,969,475 | 4,339 | |
North Kalimantan | 654,994 | 4,216 | |
North Sulawesi | 2,645,118 | 3,957 | |
West Sumatra | 5,542,994 | 3,638 | |
Special Region of Yogyakarta | 3,645,487 | 3,155 | |
Central Kalimantan | 2,577,215 | 2,763 | |
Papua | 4,346,593 | 2,355 | |
Bengkulu | 2,001,578 | 2,180 | |
Southeast Sulawesi | 1,755,193 | 2,118 | |
Gorontalo | 1,181,531 | 977 | |
West Papua | 1,148,154 | 957 | |
West Sulawesi | 1,563,896 | 478 | |
East Nusa Tenggara | 5,426,418 | 448 | |
Maluku | 1,864,229 | 395 | |
North Maluku | 1,314,849 | 150 |
Schools
There are numerous Buddhist schools established in Indonesia. The earliest school that was established in Indonesia was Vajrayana Buddhism, which developed from Mahayana Buddhism, and which had some similarities with later Tibetan Buddhism. Various temples of ancient Java and Sumatra are Vajrayana. Chinese Buddhism (the main branch of Mahayana Buddhism) has gained followers from Chinese Indonesian populations that began to migrate into the archipelago during the 17th to 18th century. Other notable schools are Theravada Buddhism from Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Indonesia's most notable Buddhist organization is Perwakilan Umat Buddha Indonesia (Walubi) which serves as the vehicle of all Buddhist schools in Indonesia. Other Buddhist organizations include Majelis Buddhayana Indonesia, Sangha Agung Indonesia (SAGIN), Sangha Theravada Indonesia (STI), Sangha Mahayana Indonesia, and the Taiwan-originated Tzu-Chi.
Religious events
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The most important Buddhist religious event in Indonesia is Vesak (Indonesian: Waisak). Once a year, during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak day commemorating the birth, death, and the time when Siddhārtha Gautama attained the highest wisdom to become the Buddha Shakyamuni. Vesak is an official national holiday in Indonesia[21] and the ceremony is centered at the three Buddhist temples by walking from Mendut to Pawon and ending at Borobudur.[22] Vesak also is often celebrated in Sewu temple and numerous Buddhist temples in Indonesia.
Discrimination and protests
The Chinese Indonesian community in Tanjung Balai municipality in North Sumatra has protested against the administration's plan to dismantle a statue of Buddha on top of the Tri Ratna Temple.[23][24]
On July 29, 2016, several Buddhist vihāras were plundered and burnt down in Tanjung Balai of North Sumatra.[25] On 26 November 2016, a homemade bomb was discovered in front of Vihara Buddha Tirta, a Buddhist temple in Lhok Seumawe of Aceh.[26]
See also
- Waisak Day
- Ashin Jinarakkhita
- Narada Maha Thera
- Parwati Soepangat
- Metta Sutta
- Mangala Sutta
- Lumbini Natural Park
- Vihara Buddhagaya Watugong
- Borobodur
- Dharmakīrtiśrī
- Lalitavistara Sūtra
- Candi of Indonesia
- Sanghyang Adi Buddha
- Indonesian Esoteric Buddhism
- A Record of Buddhist Practices Sent Home from the Southern Sea
- Buddhism in Southeast Asia
Notes
References
- ^ "Religion in Indonesia".
- ^ Muslim 244 Million (87.1), Christianity 29.4 Million (10.5), Hindu 4.73 million (1.7), Buddhist 2 million (0.7), Confucianism 76.019 (0.03), Folk and others 99.045 (0.04), Total 280.725.428 Million
- ^ a b Garnesia, Irma (29 May 2018). "Manakah Wilayah dengan Umat Buddha Terbanyak?". tirto.id (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2022-07-03. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ a b c d "Buddhism in Indonesia". Buddha Dharma Education Association. 2008. Archived from the original on 2002-02-14. Retrieved 2022-01-11.
- ^ Acri, Andrea (20 December 2018). "Maritime Buddhism". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Religion. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780199340378.013.638. ISBN 9780199340378. Archived from the original on 19 February 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
- ^ Flanagan, Anthony (2006). "Buddhist Art: Indonesia". About. Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
- ^ P. 487 Buddhism: art, architecture, literature & philosophy, Volume 1
- ^ ACRI, ANDREA. ESOTERIC BUDDHISM IN MEDIAEVAL MARITIME ASIA.
This includes a charter from mid 9th-cen- tury Nālandā, where a monastery for Sumatran monks was endowed by a Pāla king
- ^ Depkumham.go.id Archived 2010-02-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ cf. Bunge (1983), chapter Buddhism Archived 2009-10-15 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Fatayillah Mursyidi, Ach.; Lina Sutrisno, Evi (8 April 2019). "The struggle for state recognition of Confucian believers in Indonesia". Buddhazine.com.
- ^ Bliss, Michael (22 June 2015). "First Theravada Ordination of Bhikkhunis in Indonesia After a Thousand Years" (PDF). Buddhazine.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-09-14.
- ^ "Vesak Festival: A Truly Sacred Experience". Wonderful Indonesia. Archived from the original on 4 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ SHIVA BUDDHA INDONESIA. "SHIVA BUDDHA INDONESIA". Archived from the original on 2020-04-05. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
- ^ Ishii, Kazuko (1992). "The Correlation of Verses of the 'Sang Kyang Kamahayanan Mantranaya' with Vajrabodhi's 'Japa-sutra'". Area and Culture Studies Vol. 44. Source: [1] Archived 2020-04-06 at the Wayback Machine (accessed: Monday February 1, 2010)
- ^ "Peringatan". Archived from the original on 2018-12-26. Retrieved 2011-11-23.
- ^ "Religious Freedom Page". Archived from the original on August 29, 2006.
Summary of Religious Bodies in Indonesia*
...
Buddhist 0.9%
...
*Source: World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001, Oxford University Press. Vol 1: p 371 - ^ "Rediscovering an Ancient Heritage in Indonesia". Buddhistdoor Global. Archived from the original on 2022-06-25. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "Sepenggal Asa dari Kampung Buddha". Tempo (in Indonesian). 2009-05-10. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2020-11-12.
- ^ "Statistik Umat Menurut Agama di Indonesia" (in Indonesian). Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
Muslim 231.069.932 (86.7), Christian 20.246.267 (7.6), Catholic 8.325.339 (3.12), Hindu 4.646.357 (1.74), Buddhist 2.062.150 (0.77), Confucianism 117091 (0.03), Other 299617 (0.13), Not Stated 139582 (0.06), Not Asked 757118 (0.32), Total 237641326
- ^ "Keputusan Bersama tentang Hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama tahun 2006" (Press release) (in Indonesian). Coordinating Ministry for Public Welfare. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2008.
- ^ "The Meaning of Procession". Waisak. Walubi (Buddhist Council of Indonesia). Archived from the original on 11 February 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ Apriadi Gunawan (2010-10-20). "Indonesian-Chinese protest removal of Buddha statue". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 2022-04-25. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ "Patung Buddha di Vihara Tanjung Balai Pecinan Digusur; Alasannya Karena Dianggap Menghina Agama Mayoritas | Tionghoa.INFO". 17 April 2021. Archived from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
- ^ "Vihara, pagodas burned down, plundered in N. Sumatra". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
- ^ "Bomb placed near Buddhist temple door in Aceh". The Jakarta Post. Archived from the original on 2022-08-04. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
Bibliography
- Kimura B. (2003).Present Situation of Indonesian Buddhism: In Memory of Bhikkhu Ashin Jinarakkhita Mahasthavira, Nagoya Studies in Indian Culture and Buddhism: Sambhasa 23, 53–72
External links
Media related to Buddhism in Indonesia at Wikimedia Commons