Buddhism and Confucianism in Indonesia

Of Indonesia's six officially recognised religions, Buddhism and Confucianism are the two smallest by population. Buddhism has about 1% of national adherents (~3 million people), Confucianism only about 0.05% (~150,000 people). Both are heavily concentrated among Chinese-Indonesians, though Indonesian Buddhism has also some non-Chinese practitioners and the country contains some of the world's most important Buddhist archaeological sites — most notably Borobudur, the largest Buddhist monument in the world.

Buddhism in Indonesia

Buddhism has deep historical roots in Indonesia. The Srivijaya empire (7th-13th century) was a major Buddhist polity, with Palembang as a centre of Buddhist learning attracting scholars from across Asia. The Sailendra dynasty in central Java built Borobudur around 800 CE — the largest Buddhist monument in the world, with nine stacked platforms covered in elaborate reliefs. Other significant Buddhist temples (Mendut, Pawon, Plaosan) date to the same period.

By the 13th-14th centuries Buddhism merged with Hinduism in the Majapahit court and gradually faded as Islam spread across the archipelago. The current Indonesian Buddhist community is largely a 20th-century revival, dominated by:

• Chinese-Indonesian Mahayana Buddhists: the largest group, concentrated in urban Chinatowns
• Theravada Buddhists: smaller but growing, especially among ethnically Chinese-Indonesians influenced by Burmese, Thai, and Sri Lankan teachers
• Indigenous Buddhist revivals: small communities in some areas

The Walubi (Perwakilan Umat Buddha Indonesia) is the national Buddhist representative body recognised by the government.

Major Buddhist sites

• Borobudur (Central Java): UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest Buddhist monument in the world. Built ~800 CE during the Sailendra dynasty
• Brahma Vihara Arama (Bali): the largest Buddhist monastery in Bali, modelled on Burmese temple architecture
• Vihara Mahacetya Dhanagun (Bogor): major Mahayana temple
• Maha Vihara Mojopahit (East Java): with Indonesia's largest reclining Buddha statue
• Vihara Avalokitesvara (Banten): historic Chinese-Buddhist temple

Vesak (Waisak)

Vesak — the full moon of May — commemorates the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. It is an Indonesian public holiday. The major Indonesian celebration is at Borobudur, where thousands of monks and pilgrims gather. The evening lantern release at Borobudur during Vesak is one of Asia's most photographed Buddhist events.

Confucianism in Indonesia

Confucianism (Khonghucu) has the smallest official religion population — only about 150,000 people, almost entirely Chinese-Indonesians who chose Khonghucu over Buddhism or Christianity in the post-1998 era.

Confucianism's official status in Indonesia is unusual. Recognised by Sukarno in the 1960s, deregistered by Suharto in 1979 (forcing Chinese-Indonesians to choose another religion on their ID cards), then re-recognised by Abdurrahman Wahid in 2000 and given full holiday status in 2003.

Today's Indonesian Confucian community is small but active, with several major Khonghucu temples (klenteng) operating, especially in cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, Semarang, and Singkawang.

Imlek (Chinese New Year)

Imlek is the major holiday for the Chinese-Indonesian community, regardless of whether they identify as Buddhist, Confucian, Christian, or Muslim. Officially recognised as a public holiday since 2003. Major celebrations:

• Jakarta: extensive in Chinatown (Glodok) and major shopping districts
• Singkawang (West Kalimantan): the most spectacular Imlek celebration in Indonesia, including the famous Cap Go Meh procession with tatung (mediums in trance walking on swords and skewers)
• Medan, Surabaya, Pontianak, Semarang: substantial celebrations

Chinese-Indonesian religion in practice

Chinese-Indonesian religious practice is often syncretic, combining:

• Mahayana Buddhism
• Taoist elements
• Confucian ancestor veneration
• Local Chinese folk religion
• Sometimes Catholic or Protestant Christianity

Many Chinese-Indonesian families practise more than one tradition simultaneously, with the boundaries between them blurred. Temple visits, ancestor veneration, festival observances are all common across denominations.

For visitors

• Borobudur is essential viewing on any Indonesia trip
• Vesak at Borobudur is spectacular if dates align
• Imlek in Singkawang is one of Indonesia's most distinctive events
• Klenteng (Chinese temples) in Jakarta, Surabaya, Singkawang, Medan are welcoming to visitors
• The Chinese-Indonesian food, festival, and cultural traditions add a substantial layer to Indonesian society