Religious organizations today have become more creative in performing their social role to spread the essence of religions’ universal teaching — love and compassion to all mankind.
Jing-si book and cafe, located on the second floor of Mal Kelapa Gading 1, North Jakarta, is among the best examples of how a religious organization attempts to accommodate the spiritual needs of the larger communities. The store is the epicenter of activities of the Buddha Tzu Chi foundation, founded by Nobel winner Taiwanese female monk Master Cheng Yen.
“This book store and cafe is open to people from any religion,” said foundation activist, Effendi, on Sunday. “We provide a comfortable place for everyone who needs a quiet place to relax while fulfilling their spiritual need.”
Beside selling books, the establishment provides a cozy cafe with soft yellow light and a library where Master Cheng Yen’s books are available to customers who want to spend their day reading spiritual books and enjoying non-alcoholic drinks.
“We aim to spread the Master’s teaching to love every human.”
The store, in cooperation with foundation activists, regularly hold activities such as a free Mandarin course and a sign language course.
“We aim to spread the Master’s teaching to love every human,” said another Buddha Tzu Chi activist, Sudarno.
The historical mosque of Sunda Kelapa, Menteng, Central Jakarta, has also voiced the same mission to create a better life for all through its hospital for lower-income people.
The hospital, called Rumah Sehat (Healthy House), provides free of charge medical facilities such as an emergency unit, a midwifery division and a dental clinic. On March 24, it plans to launch its new cataract surgery facility.
The hospital on average receives daily between 40 and 60 poor patients with relief letters from their subdistrict head. In city public hospitals, patients with the letters are charged 50 percent of the total treatment cost.
“We treat anyone living in poverty,” a mosque manager, Heri Salima, 42, said.
GKI Pondok Indah church in South Jakarta also has social programs such as a sewing course, scholarship scheme and a polyclinic for the needy who live around the church.
“We also provide some financial support for the poor who wants to open new businesses,” she said,
She said that church also has a scholarship program for the poor students with high academic achievement. The other social program held by the church is a low-cost health service at its general and dental clinic. (rdf)
