Prambanan and Hinduism

Prambanan

Facts about Prambanan
Prambanan was finished around 856 A.D. and it is the biggest Hindu temple compound in the country. It is located in central Java, not far from the city of Yogyakarta. The temple complex consists of 224 temples. The tree main temples are the Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu temples. The compound is arranged as tree squares inside each other with the smaller temples in the outer square and the tree main temples in the inner square. Due to recent damage by the earthquake, it is not allowed to enter the temples, but the area is still in active use for some Hindu ceremonies. The temple compound has been on the UNESCO’S world heritage list since 1991.

Lecture on Hinduism
Before we went to see Prambanan, we were given a lecture on Hinduism by Mr. I Gede Suwinada at Gadjah Mada University. He focused on Hindu impacts on local culture, especially in Java. He also explained thoroughly about the basics of Hinduism.

Hinduism came to Indonesia trough trading routs from India in the 8th century and it is still expanding, especially in Bali where it is the dominating religion in spite of the many other religious groups on the island. Still, Hinduism is popular all over Indonesia and it is the most important element in syncretism.

The Indonesian Hinduism is different from the Indian, especially burial ceremonies, tooth ceremonies and sacrifices. Hinduism in Bali is identical with the dilating Balinese culture. It is characterized by rituals, art, and traditions. Indian Hinduism is more analogical to spiritual state or Jnana / Bhatin (mind). In India they have a stratification system different from the Balinese, because, among others, the globalization is growing and people are more educated. To day the typical Hindu stratification is weaker also in India. This is not something demanded by God, but something the humans have come up with themselves. Therefore it is easier to let it go.

Hindus in Indonesia do not feel dominated by the Muslim majority in the country. They also get support form the government.

‘ People will always feel that they don’t get enough, that’s normal. But all Hindus in Indonesia know that we get a proportionately correct amount.’ (Mr. I Gede Suwinada)

In Bali, with 99% Hindus, the Hindus are working together with Muslim and Christian leaders to make harmony. They manage to live in harmony with the other religions. The Hindus have been working together with the other religions to create security, unity and peace for Indonesia. KKN is a disturbance for Hindus too, and they support the government’s programmes to stop it.

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