The Role of Maitreya Buddhism in Fostering Harmony in Multicultural Societies: Doctrinal, Ritual, and Social Contributions
Abstract
This study investigates the role of Maitreya Buddhism in fostering harmony within a multicultural society, focusing on Bandung, West Java. Through qualitative methods—including fieldwork, in-depth interviews with religious leaders and community members, and participant observation—this research explores how Maitreya doctrines, rituals, and social practices promote internal solidarity and address societal challenges. Key findings highlight doctrines like the Senyuman of Love and Ajita Spirit as frameworks for interpersonal harmony and resilience. Rituals such as Bhakti Puja foster collective identity, while social practices, including free medical services, Mandarin language training, and interfaith dialogue initiatives, extend the religion’s societal impact. These results demonstrate Maitreya Buddhism's capacity to integrate spiritual teachings with social outreach, making it a potent tool for social cohesion. The study provides insights for policymakers and religious organizations aiming to promote tolerance in pluralistic societies, offering a novel perspective on religion’s transformative role in managing cultural diversity.
References
Albi, A., & Setiawan, J. (2018). Metodologi penelitian kualitatif (Vol. 245). Sukabumi: CV Jejak.
Buddhagosacariya, S. P. (2004). Samadhi (Pencerahan Agung). Jakarta: Sri Manggala.
Chandra, C., Siu, O. C., Lisniasari, L., & Juli, J. (2023). The Effect of Buddhist Fasting and Vegetarian on The Mental Health of Bodhictta Buddhist High School Students. Jurnal Ners, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.31004/jn.v7i2.31580
Connolly, P. (2002). Aneka Pendekatan Studi Agama. Yogyakarta: Lembaga Kajian Islam dan Sosial.
Dahlia, D., Suherman, S., & Partono, P. (2022). Peran Kalyāṇamitta dalam Menanamkan Disiplin dan Tanggung Jawab pada Remaja SMB Surya Maitreya. Jurnal Agama Buddha Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan, 8(2), 48–58. https://doi.org/10.53565/abip.v8i2.604
Dewi, K. T., Larashanti, I. A. D., & Putra, K. D. S. (2023). Perbandingan Istilah Otonan Yang Terdapat Dalam Agama Hindu Terhadap Agama-Agama Lain Di Indonesia. Guna Widya: Jurnal Pendidikan Hindu, 10(1), 56–65. https://doi.org/10.25078/gw.v10i1.1911
Dewi, L. K. (2016). Ketuhanan Buddhisme Maitreya (Studi Komparatif Tinjauan Ketuhanan Buddhisme Maitreya di Vihara Bodhicitta Maitreya Dengan Aliran Mahayana dan Theravada. Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga.
Fadhilah. (2015). Gender Dalam Agama Buddha (Kajian Terhadap Aliran Buddha Maitreya di Yogyakarta). Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Kalijaga.
Khosasih, R., & Novianty, A. (2022). Motivasi Perilaku Mengatur Makan Pada Remaja Vegetarian. Seri Seminar Nasional Ke IV Universitas Tarumanegara, 111–122. Jakarta: Universitas Taruma Negara.
Kuang, W. C. (2000). Maha Tao Maitreya. Jakarta: DPP Mapanbumi.
Maitreya, M. V. (2023). Maha Vihara Maitreya. Retrieved from mahaviharamaitreya website: https://mahaviharamaitreya.org/home/
Masruroh, Y. (2008). Makna dan Tata Cara Bhakti-Puja Dalam ajaran Buddha Maitreya: studi kasus di Vihara Maitreyawira Angke Jelambar Jakarta Barat. Fakultas Ushuluddin dan Filsafat UIN Syarif Hidayatullah, Jakarta.
Nathania, L., & Hartanto, B. (2021). Konsep Diri: Analisis Kesadaran Lingkungan Kaum Vegan Dan Vegetarian Di Britania Raya. Scriptura, 11(1), 10–17. https://doi.org/10.9744/scriptura.11.1.10-17
Nyoto, N. (2018). Praktik Vegetarian Umat Buddha Theravada (Studi Kasus di Vihara Sasana Subhasita). Jurnal Pelita Dhamma, 5(1), 65–79. https://doi.org/10.69835/jpd.v5i1.233
Pang, R. (2020). Contemporary Tibetan Buddhist Rimé Response to Religious Diversity. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology, 4(1), 21–34. https://doi.org/10.1558/isit.40148
Pranata, J., & Wijoyo, H. (2020). Meditasi Cinta Kasih untuk Mengembangkan Kepedulian dan Percaya Diri. Jurnal Maitreyawira, 1(2), 8–14.
Siyoto, S., & Sodik, A. (2015). Dasar Metodologi Penelitian. Yogyakarta: Literasi Media Publishing.
Stark, R., & Bainbridge, W. S. (1985). The Future of Religion. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Sugiyono. (2018). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif Kualitatif. Bandung: Alfabeta.
Suksawas, W., & Soithong, P. (2024). Empowering Community Development Through the Application of Buddhist Principles: A Case Study of Saiyoi Subdistrict, Nernmaprang District, Phitsanulok Province. Journal of International Buddhist Studies, 15(1), 37–54.
Suwito, S. (2021). Studi Komparatif Konsep Vegetarian Dalam Sudut Pandang Theravāda Dan Mahāyana. Jurnal Agama Buddha Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan, 7(1), 23–36. https://doi.org/10.53565/abip.v4i1.295
Suyaprom, S. (2023). Creating Reconciliation In Dimension Of Multicultural Society: A Case Study Of Wat Laharn Community Of Nonthaburi Province. Journal of Buddhist Anthropology, 8(2), 128–138.
Synuanchanh, T. E., & Papoutsaki, E. (2021). A Buddhist Approach to Participatory Communication and Sustainable Development: A Case Study from Lao PDR. In The Palgrave Handbook of International Communication and Sustainable Development (pp. 101–126). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69770-9_5
Syukur, A. (2018). Rekontruksi identitas agama buddha pasca kemerdekaan sampai reformasi. Bandung: Iris Pres.
Syukur, Abdul. (2009). Studi Agama Buddha. Bandung: Iris Pres.
Tjoa Holyenty. (2023). Pandangan Salah Umat Maitreya Terhadap Pola Hidup Vegetarian. Dhammavicaya : Jurnal Pengkajian Dhamma, 7(1), 01–11. https://doi.org/10.47861/dhammavicaya.v6i1.363
Yusuf, M. (2017). Metode Penelitian Kuantitatif, Kualitatif & Penelitian Gabungan. Jakarta: Kencana.
Copyright (c) 2024 Muhammad Alfi Fauzi

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.