Research on Ekayāna Buddhism：A Case Study of the Indonesian Buddhayāna Congregation

• Main Authors: Dedy Irawan, 釋賢聰
• Other Authors: Yung Dong Shih
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/b68933

碩士 === 佛光大學 === 佛教學系 === 103 === This thesis provides a case study for understanding Ekayāna Buddhism based on research on the oldest Buddhist organization in the revival period of Buddhism in Indonesia, the Indonesian “Buddhayāna”. Buddhism gained a foothold in the archipelago during the early centuries CE and it prevailed for more than 1,000 years, until the early of the sixteenth century CE. Then it entered a latent period, when only a few Buddhists and Hindus remained, mainly on the island of Bali. In the middle of the twentieth century CE, Ashin Jinarakkhita, the first modern Indonesian monk, started the revival period of Indonesian Buddhism. Ashin Jinarakkhita (1923-2002) was ordained as a novice by Master Benqing本清 and he received his full ordination by Mahāsi Sayādaw. In 1955, he formed the first Indonesian Buddhist lay organisation, Persaudaraan Upasaka Upasika Indonesia (PUUI). Today, the PUUI is called Indonesian Buddhayāna Council (MBI). In 1960, he established the Sangha Suci Indonesia, as a monastic organization. Today, it is known as Mahā Saṅgha Indonesia (SAGIN), a community of monastics from the Theravāda, Dharmaguptaka, and Mūlasarvāstivāda ordination lineages. These two organizations, together with Buddhayāna foundations, are the Indonesian Buddhayāna Congregation (KBI). The Indonesian Buddhayāna promotes the “One Vehicle” (Ekayāna), the teaching that the three vehicles are truly one path to enlightenment. They attempt to call on the wisdom from all traditions by promoting the values of nonsectarianism, inclusivism, pluralism, universalism, and the belief in Sanghyang Ādibuddha. This thesis delineates some justifications for the establishment of KBI as a “nonsectarian” and inclusivist Buddhist organization in contemporary Indonesian Buddhism. It provides historical background of the founder and the KBI, and its structures and practices. Finally, it elaborates the five values of the KBI and addresses the nonsectarianism and inclusiveness, the first two values of the organization, which are complex issues.