Page 57 - EH 71

NEWS | EASTERN HORIZON 55

reforms between Jewish and non-Jewish communities:
“Jesus Christ taught that a religious relationship with
God does not require us to cut ties with our fellow
human beings. Those who are Unitarian Christians have
the view that God is truly one. If there is only one God
who is worshiped by all humans, of course, salvation is
not owned by one particular religious institution. . . . As
such, we and other people may wear different clothes,
but the point is we all worship the one God.”

Meanwhile, Hindu leader K. A. Widiantara, chair of
Acarya Media Nusantara, stated that while the teachings
of monks and priests of various religious differed in
form, they were, in fact, very similar in substance.

He examined religious moderation from the Hindu
perspective, referring to the traditional concept of “Tri
Hita Karana,” which emphasizes harmony with God,
harmony among people, and harmony with nature,
which demonstrates how people can live side by side,
full of tolerance and full of peace: “Tri Hita Karana
is what causes us to live in this world in harmony,
regardless of background. In our teachings, we teach
that all living things are brothers and sisters; the point
here is tolerance,” he said. Image courtesy of the YBA

The chairman of the Young Buddhist Association of for a combined 10.7 per cent, Hinduism 1.7 per cent,
Indonesia, Limanyono Tanto, expressed gratitude to the and Confucianism, folk, and other traditions account for
participants for the event, noting that the YBA was itself a combined 0.08 per cent.
open and inclusive organization, supporting all activities
for religious moderation: “And with this religious Buddhism, practiced by 0.8 per cent of the population—
moderation we are able to spread the teachings of roughly two million people—is the second oldest
Buddhism and strengthen friendships with our brothers spiritual tradition in Indonesia after Hinduism.
and sisters among the religious people of Indonesia.” According to historical accounts, Buddhism first
flourished on the archipelago around the sixth century,
Buddhist leader Bhikkhu Dhammasubho Mahathera which was followed by ascent and decline of a number
noted that in the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha are of powerful Buddhist empires, including the Shailendra
based on the Middle Way (Pali: Majjhimapatipada), dynasty (c. 8th–9th centuries), the Srivijaya empire
which avoids extremes. (c. 7th–12th centuries), and the Mataram empire (c.
8th–11th centuries). Today, the majority of Indonesian
Although officially a secular state, Indonesia is home to Buddhists are affiliated with Mahayana schools of
a diversity of communities and religious and spiritual Buddhism, although communities of Theravada and
traditions. Islam is the most widespread religion, Vajrayana practitioners also exist.
observed by 86.7 per cent of the population, according
to national data for 2018. Christian traditions account Source: Buddhist Door Global, www.buddhistdoor.net
EH