The Revival of Theravada Buddhism in Indonesia by Transnational Mobilities
Keywords:
Buddhism, Indonesia, mobilities, pilgrimageAbstract
This paper investigates the revival of Buddhism in Indonesia in early nineteenth century. Historical evidences reveal that the transnational travels in terms of religious pilgrimage and secular journeys facilitated the emergence of the new religious movement, Theravada Buddhism in this case. The establishment of Theosophical Society in Java by the colonizer, the travel to India of Ong Soe Aan for studying the methods of controlling opium addiction, the travel to Burma of Jinarakkhita for ordination under Mahasi Sayadaw, and the invitation of the Thai Buddhist missionaries to Indonesia are elaborate examples. Theoretically, the transnational flows of people, ideas, and materials are central indicators of modernity. Religion and mobilities, I argue, cannot be separated in some cases. Due to the travels across the state’s boundary, religious organization is revived and religious people are also shaped by multiple identity.
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