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Buddhists emphasize religious tolerance
The Waisak celebration at the Tri Ratna temple in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and national identity at a time when political controversy dominates public discourse following last month’s presidential election
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span>The Waisak celebration at the Tri Ratna temple in Tanjung Balai, North Sumatra, emphasized the importance of religious tolerance and national identity at a time when political controversy dominates public discourse following last month’s presidential election.
The head supervisor of the temple, Tony Aci, called on the public to remain respectful of others despite political differences. The temple was one of several set alight by mobs in 2016.
“We want the country to be eternally peaceful,” Tony told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
The temple’s Waisak celebration included a candle carnival and a vegetarian feast and was attended by thousands of Buddhists on Saturday evening.
Tony said this year’s Waisak procession took place within the temple’s compound to avoid public disturbances in light of the Meiliana blasphemy case of 2016.
Meiliana, a Buddhist from Tanjung Balai, was convicted of blasphemy after complaining about the volume of the adzan (Islamic call to prayer), which she had deemed too loud. Her complaint triggered anti-Chinese riots, with Muslims burning down several Buddhist temples in Tanjung Balai, including Tri Ratna.
Buddhists gathered in temples and other holy sites across the archipelago to solemnly observe Waisak, or Gautama Buddha’s Day of Enlightenment, conveying messages of peace and tolerance in a politically tumultuous period.
Thousands flocked to the Borobudur temple in Magelang, Central Java, to observe the birth, transcendence and death of Gautama Buddha on Saturday evening.
Indonesia was home to 1.7 million Buddhists in 2010, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, who was present at Borobudur, called on all Buddhists to be more introspective on this year’s Waisak. “Happy Waisak to every Buddhist in Indonesia. I sincerely hope Waisak will bring joy and peace to all of mankind,” Lukman said.
He went on to encourage the general public to maintain religious tolerance, saying diversity served as the glue that held the nation together.
“Diversity is [our] strength, bolstered by democracy,” he said, adding that the core of all religious teaching was love, not hatred.
The celebration culminated in the release of sky lanterns over the Borobudur temple, symbolizing a prayer for peace.
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle secretary-general Hasto Kristyanto said he expected the Waisak celebration to remind people of their fraternity with each other despite differences.
“We are one nation striving for common goals,” Hasto said, as quoted by news agency Antara.
In an expression of respect for Muslims observing Ramadan, which began earlier this month, the Dharmadippa Arama temple in Batu, East Java, postponed several Waisak processions that might draw large crowds and make excessive noise.
Temple head Bhante Khantidharo said the rest of the Waisak observance would be held in the temple to prevent disturbances.
“We have postponed the usual Waisak festivities and performances until June 16,” he told the Post.
Despite creeping fears of religious unrest, the Waisak celebrations passed peacefully across the country.
At Benoa Port in Denpasar, Bali, Buddhists released thousands of fish into the sea, marking the beginning of the “Fang Shen” ceremony to respect all living creatures in honor of Waisak.
Buddhists in North Jakarta congregated at the Mahavira Graha temple to observe Waisak, as well as to pray for members of the country’s legislative. (rfa)
