Balinese Hindus urge religious tolerance

Bali, NU Online
A commemoration of the Hindu New Year here on Saturday evening turned into a celebration of cultural and religious tolerance, as speaker after speaker touched on the importance of trust and respect among the country's different religions.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, First Lady Kristiani Herawati and scores of Cabinet ministers attended the Dharma Santi celebration at Denpasar's Arddha Chandra outdoor stage.<>

More than 8,000 people attended the event, including 1,430 bendesa, or leaders of Bali's powerful customary villages, as well as representatives of the country's major religious organizations.

"The nation's Hindu followers have committed themselves to maintaining their religion as one that respects cultural diversity and religious differences," Bali Governor Dewa Made Berata said in a speech.

Berata said Hindus should foster an open attitude of tolerance for all cultural and religious groups. He said Hindus should serve as a model of religious inclusivity.

"Be inclusive, in the meaning that we must not view ourselves, our religion or our cultural heritage as the best or superior to others. We must nurture and safeguard our religious and cultural values, and at the same time we must strive to understand the values of other cultures and religious groups," the governor said.

Berata reminded those present of the Hindu principle of Tat Twam Asi, which translates as "You are I, I am You", as the foundation for tolerance and inclusiveness.

"Tat Twam Asi should remind us that we are all brothers and sisters. The religious paths may be different, but the divine objective is the same," he said.

Chairman of the Parisadha Hindu Indonesia executive board, I Made Gde Erata, Dharma Santi organizing committee head Alit Antara and Hindu priest Pinandita Sutarto all offered similar sentiments.

"Our nation is suffering due to a series of natural and man-made disasters. We won't be able to survive this difficult time unless we stand united as one nation, one people," Hindu leader Tjokorda Artha Ardhana said.

The need for religious tolerance also was touched on by President Yudhoyono in a speech. He said Hindu teachings shared a similar tolerance with the state ideology Pancasila and the national slogan Bhineka Tunggal Ika, or unity in diversity.

"We must implement the values of Pancasila consistently so as to create a nation in which multiculturalism and pluralism live harmoniously," he said.

The President urged Hindus to spread the call for tolerance to every corner of the nation.

"We will not be able to be a great nation unless we can nurture a sense of mutual trust, mutual care and mutual support among each and every society in this country."

Students from the Indonesian Arts Institute in Denpasar closed the celebration with a dance titled Nusantara, or archipelago. The contemporary piece brought together different dance traditions from around the country. (tjp/dar)