Bhinneka
Tunggal Ika
The national emblem of the Republic of Indonesia, GARUDA PANCASILA, is
emblazoned with the words BHINNEKA TUNGGAL IKA. Translated, they mean 'Unity in
Diversity' or, 'We are of many kinds, but we are one'. This motto is a founding
principle of the modern Indonesian nation, which declares the essential unity
of its members despite ethnic, regional, social or religious differences.
The concept of BHINNEKA TUNGGAL IKA is not new to
Indonesian history. It can be traced back to the time of the construction of Borobudur,
when the Sailendra dynasty ruled on the plains of Central Java in the eighth
and ninth centuries. Two hundred years later, in the Brantas Valley in East
Java, King Airlangga built a united kingdom based on this same principle.
It was, however, the 14th century poet sage of
Majapahit, Mpu Tantular, who is said to have committed the phrase to writing
for the first time. In his religious poem Sutasoma, composed during the reign
of King Rajasanagara (Hayam Wuruk), Mpu Tantular expounded a doctrine of reconciliation
between the Hindu and Buddhist faiths. Such a spirit of religious tolerance was
an essential element in the foundation and security of the newly emerging State
of Majapahit, which reached the height of its power and influence under the
guiding hand of the prime minister Gajah Mada.
In more recent years, the words of Mpu Tantular were
an inspiration to the founders of the first Independent Government of the
Republic of Indonesia, and today they are found immortalized on the national
emblem.
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