The Theravada Buddhism Spread (Buddhism 1)

In common society, information about Buddhism outside the beliefs are merely about the how this religion started in Nepal by Siddharta Gautama (556 BC - 486 BC ), the existence of Borobudur Temple, and Siwa Buddha empire such as Majapahit. The Buddhism growth in Indonesia was not started in the 9th century as the temple had been buried under the ground more than 1000 years or from the era of Majapahit Empire that had ended in the 15th century. That is how Buddhism “slept” for about 500 years.

If it is observed deeply, Buddhism in Indonesia grew and started to develop in the 1950s. Buddhism in Indonesia is divided into three mashab (ideologies), which are Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Those teachings are believed by approximately 1.4% out of 240 millions of Indonesia people including those who hold culture beliefs in Tionghoa (Chinese) tradition.

The spread of Hinayana Buddhism that is also known as Theravada Buddhism or Thailand Buddhism was through the south route. We can find this belief that consists of some sects with Canonical Tipitaka (authentic bible) in Pali language more in Srilanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos.

Some sects of Theravada Buddhism are Syama Nikaya, Amarapura Nikaya, Ramanna Nikaya (those are from Srilanka); Thudamma, Shnegyin, Dvara (from Myanmar); Maha Nikaya, Dhammayutika Nikaya(from Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos).

It can not be denied that the growth of Theravada Buddhism in Indonesia is due to ideas of Tridharma Kwee Tek Hoey who invited Bhikku (Buddhist monk) Narada from Srilanka to Borobudur Temple to plant bodhi tree in 1934. It was the starting point of the Buddhism spread. In the 50s decade, the development of Buddhism in Java had started by the consecration of the first Indonesian people, The Boan An, to be a Theravada Bhikku who is known as Ashin Jinarakkhita (1953), Ong Tiang Biauw who is known as Jinaputta (1959), and I Ketut Tangkas who is known as Jinapiya (1959). In the 1970s, Indonesia was visited by Bhikku Win Vijano (Dhammaduta Buddha from Thailand), who was meritorious for the spread and the development of Theravada Buddha which was very close to Thailand sect for about 38 years.

Later, the teaching of Ekayana (Buddhayana) developed in Indonesia with Bhikku Ashin Jinarakkhita as the founder, and the development itself is based on the doctrine of Theravada Buddhism combined with other Buddhism teachings and local tradition culture.

The ancient Theravada Temple in Indonesia is the site of Batujaya Temple which is located in Karawang (West Java) and built in the 4th century.

This short note may not be perfect. Feel free to add information and correction if needed. Thanks.

Enjoy, peace, and love from Sukra. (087 260408)

Picture: Bhikku Narada