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42 EASTERN HORIZON | FACE TO FACE

Is Buddhism in Indonesia practiced mainly by the core principles of the official ideology of Indonesia
elders or youths? known as panca-sila.

In Indonesia, we are fortunate that Buddhism is How rigorus is the training of Buddhist teachers
practiced by both the young and the old. The young in Indonesia? Is the monastic Sangha involved in
Buddhists are active in youth societies affiliated with teaching or mentoring the lay teachers?
different Buddhist traditions. They also attend classes
in Buddhist schools where the teachings have been There are 15 higher education institutions across
able to guide them to live peacefully and harmoniously Indonesia that offer teachers’ training for pre-service
with followers of other religions in the country. Being Buddhist teachers called Dharmacarya. These colleges
a minority religion in a predominantly Muslim country, are managed by either the state or private bodies. For
our young Buddhists have been taught to be adaptable private Buddhist colleges, they have the full support
to a multi-religious and multi-cultural Indonesian of the monastic Sangha that’s affiliated to them.
society. Interestingly, many young Buddhists also The monastic Sangha will provide the leadership in
spend their school breaks in meditation retreats, self- organizing programs such as novice ordination (pabbaja
development camps, and participation in social services. samanera), female ordination (silacarini), retreats for
At most Buddhist temples, there will be different Dharma study and meditation, and leadership camps.
religious services (puja) and activities to cater to the For the state-based Buddhist colleges, they have similar
needs and interests of the younger Buddhists. However, programs as well.
the elders at the temples are also not neglected as well.
Thus, most temples will organize different activities that So there’s degree level Buddhist education too?
are appropriate for the younger and older members.
Buddhist higher educational institutions do offer
Do Buddhist schools and temples have a common degree programs with academic requirements based
syllabus and curriculum? on national education standards. However, Buddhist

education at temples (vihara) does not lead to a degree
For schools at the primary and secondary level, they as the focus is primarily informal and not academic
follow the national curriculum which has standard in nature. Students who wish to pursue a degree in
modules where students learn about all religions Buddhist studies can therefore study at one of the
practiced in Indonesia, including Buddhism. Students higher Buddhist institutions of learning in the country.
are therefore taught three core aspects of each religion:
its history, devotional aspects such as rituals and How do traditional Buddhist teachings such as the
ceremonies, and its doctrine and ethical dimensions. law of karma, heavens and hells, renunciation and
At the tertiary level, there is more flexibility for the non-attachment relate to modern day education
institutions to determine their own syllabus and which is based on science and teachnology and
curriculum as long as what is taught is not against the empirical knowledge and reasoning?