The Development of Buddhism through Chinese Cultural Traditions in Sentani, Papua, Indonesia

Abstract

This paper examines the development of Buddhism in Indonesia through the mediation of Chinese culture, situating the discussion within international discourses on transnational Buddhism, diaspora religion, and cultural contextualization. Historically, Buddhism spread across Asia through migration, maritime trade, and intercultural encounters, producing diverse local expressions while maintaining core doctrinal foundations. In Indonesia, Chinese diaspora communities have played a crucial role in sustaining and reshaping Buddhist life through institutions such as klenteng, ritual practices, and organized religious networks. Employing a qualitative historical approach and library-based research, this study analyzes historical sources, selected discourses from the Sutta Piṭaka, and contemporary scholarship to demonstrate that Chinese cultural traditions function as active religious media rather than merely ethnic or cultural backgrounds. The findings indicate that klenteng and vihāra have served as key sites of religious transmission, ethical education, and community formation, particularly during periods of political restriction and minority marginalization. Textual analysis of the Kālāma Sutta, Mahāparinibbāna Sutta, and Sigālovāda Sutta reveals that Buddhist perspectives on tradition emphasize critical and ethical evaluation oriented toward cultivating wisdom (paññā), moral discipline (sīla), and social harmony rather than unquestioning adherence to inherited customs. The paper further explores contemporary developments through a case study of Vihara Cycloop Dhammajaya Sentani in Papua, illustrating the contextual expansion of Buddhism into non-traditional regions within Indonesia’s pluralistic socio-political landscape. Overall, this study contributes to international scholarship by reconceptualizing Chinese culture as a dynamic religious agent in Indonesian Buddhism and enriching discussions on religion–culture interaction and lived Buddhism in multicultural societies.