Bhinneka Tunggal Ika
Encyclopedia
Bhinneka Tunggal Ika is the official national motto
of Indonesia
. The phrase is Old Javanese translated as "Unity in Diversity,". It is inscribed in the Indonesian national symbol, Garuda Pancasila (written on the scroll gripped by the Garuda's claws), and is mentioned specifically in article 36A of the Constitution of Indonesia
.
It is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem Kakawin Sutasoma
, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit empire sometime in the 14th century. Kakawin
contains epic poems written in metres.
This poem is notable as it promotes tolerance between Hindu
s (Shivaites) and Buddhists.
This translation is based, with minor adaptations, on the critical text edition by Dr. Soewito Santoso.
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. The phrase is Old Javanese translated as "Unity in Diversity,". It is inscribed in the Indonesian national symbol, Garuda Pancasila (written on the scroll gripped by the Garuda's claws), and is mentioned specifically in article 36A of the Constitution of Indonesia
Constitution of Indonesia
The Constitution of Indonesia is the basis for the government of the Indonesia.The constitution was written in June, July and August 1945, when Indonesia was emerging from Japanese control at the end of World War II...
.
It is a quotation from an Old Javanese poem Kakawin Sutasoma
Kakawin Sutasoma
Kakawin Sutasoma is an Old Javanese poem in poetic metres . It is the source of the motto of Indonesia, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which is usually translated as Unity in Diversity, although literally it means ' in pieces, yet One'...
, written by Mpu Tantular during the reign of the Majapahit empire sometime in the 14th century. Kakawin
Kakawin
Kakawin are long narrative poems composed in Old Javanese, also called "Kawi", written in verse form with rhythms and metres derived from Sanskrit literature. Poets used a formalized literary language, rather than the vernacular...
contains epic poems written in metres.
This poem is notable as it promotes tolerance between Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s (Shivaites) and Buddhists.
Original
This quotation comes from canto 139, stanza 5. The full stanza reads as follows:- Rwâneka dhâtu winuwus Buddha Wiswa,
- Bhinnêki rakwa ring apan kena parwanosen,
- Mangka ng Jinatwa kalawan Siwatatwa tunggal,
- Bhinnêka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrwa.
Translation
- It is said that the well-known Buddha and Shiva are two different substances.
- They are indeed different, yet how is it possible to recognise their difference in a glance,
- since the truth of Jina (BuddhaGautama BuddhaSiddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
) and the truth of ShivaShivaShiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
is one. - They are indeed different, but they are of the same kind, as there is no duality in Truth.
This translation is based, with minor adaptations, on the critical text edition by Dr. Soewito Santoso.
See also
- E pluribus unumE pluribus unumE pluribus unum , Latin for "Out of many, one", is a phrase on the Seal of the United States, along with Annuit cœptis and Novus ordo seclorum, and adopted by an Act of Congress in 1782...
- United in diversityMotto of the European UnionUnited in diversity is the official motto of the European Union . Its translations in the other 22 languages of the EU have equal standing. The Latin version, In varietate concordia is also used as a compromise...
- KakawinKakawinKakawin are long narrative poems composed in Old Javanese, also called "Kawi", written in verse form with rhythms and metres derived from Sanskrit literature. Poets used a formalized literary language, rather than the vernacular...