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essages on the importance of inclusiveness and tolerance in this increasingly connected-yet-divisive world were amplified in scores of discussions and art performances at the 13th Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) here.

Early in the morning on Friday, a prominent Balinese spiritualist, Prabhu Darmayasa, who had just launched his interpretation of the Indian classic Bhagavad Gita (Song of God), pointed out that one way to tackle religious-related problems, including radicalism, hate and violence, is by realizing the essence of religion.

“The essence is spiritual liberation and happiness. By treating religion as a box that confines us, we would not achieve that essence,” he said.

Prabhu, whose disciples hail from places as far away as Russia and other parts of Europe, spoke on a panel called Mystical Bali alongside scholar and lontar expert Sugi Lanus and Donny Harimurti of babadbali.com fame.

“We will experience that liberation when we are able to accept every phenomenon with an equal equanimity: If you are happy, no problem. If you are not happy, no problem,” Prabhu said.

This perspective of not treating religion as a box, of trying to experience its essence and not its outer form and structure, and of treating all phenomenon with an accepting equanimity, he said afterward, would foster tolerance and mutual admiration as members of different faiths view each other as kindred spirits on the same journey toward spiritual liberation.

“And we do truly need tolerance and mutual acceptance in this period when we have so many intelligent people, but a decreasing number of wise men,” he said.

Tolerance, inclusiveness, compassion and solidarity are identified as the core values of Tat Tvam Asi (I am you; you are me), the main theme of the annual gathering currently acknowledged as the largest literary festival in Southeast Asia.

Deliberation over those values was taken to the next level in Mother Nature, the afternoon panel that brought together noted authors and prominent environmentalists.

The panelists were of the same opinion that humanity should extend the practices of those values to also cover its relation with the environment.

“They are not only important in an ecological sense, that our survival is heavily depended on their survival, but also in the philosophical sense, that they too are the creations of the Divine and deserve the innate right to be treated as respectfully as human beings,” said Bayu Wirayudha, the founder of the Friends of the National Parks Foundation and one of the leading initiators of the Bali starling conservation program.

The most entertaining way to spread the importance of those values, however, was displayed on Thursday night by Kalawai Rap Crew, a hip-hop group from Tobelo in North Halmahera regency, North Maluku. Its members — Deny, Melky, Sony and Victor — met as children while living in a refugee camp in Manado, following a riot in their hometown.

To a great extent, Kalawai is a phoenix that rose from the ashes of the bloody sectarian conflict that paralyzed Maluku for more than a decade at the turn of the century. Kalawai means “spear”, a tool traditionally used by the Halmahera people. It represents their desire to eliminate hostility, differences and social inequality through music.

Their hard-hitting lyrics and intoxicating melodies sent the crowds singing and dancing together, celebrating rather than arguing about their different creeds, skin colors and ethnic identities.

On Saturday, the festival will feature notable author Lionel Shriver discussing her 12th novel, The Mandibles, as well as panels on identity, prisoners and Indonesian cinema.