Suchergebnisse

The philosophical basis of the Indonesian state, first framed in 1945, is the Panca Sila or Five Principles. Since 1985 all political and social organizations including religious ones have had to subscribe to the Panca Sila as their sole philosophical principle (Azas Tunggal). The first of the Five Principles is belief in Tuhan Yang Maha Esa, normally, though not entirely satisfactorily, translated as the One Supreme God. The founders of the state had accepted this principle rather than a more specific statement of belief in the God of Islam, the religion of the majority of the people. Its formulation was clearly a compromise, aimed at stressing the importance of religion in the state, but avoiding declaring Islam as the state religion. As it stood, the principle was generally acceptable to followers of Islam, Christianity and Hinduism, and all religions which did acknowledge the existence of God, in one form or another.

The philosophical basis of the Indonesian state is the Panca Sila or Five Principles. Since 1985 all political and social organizations including religious ones have had to subscribe to Panca Sila as their sole philosophical principles. The first of the Five Principles is belief in one Supreme God. This formulation, however, would obviously present problems for religions or belief systems which were non-theistic, which did not clearly or openly acknowledge the existence of God. Buddhism in Indonesia was such a religion. The problem which confronted Buddhists in the early years of Indonesian independence was how to accommodate Panca Sila in their religion. The article examines the ways in which Buddhists have tried to resolve this problem, and evaluates how successful they have been. (DÜI-Sen)