Last updated on March 31, 2022
The Garuda clutches in its talons a scroll bearing the National Motto of Indonesia, “Bhinneka Tunggal lka” . It means Unity in Diversity.
Sutasoma
Bhineka Tunggal Ika, is an Old Javanese stanza of the epic poem “Sutasoma” attributed to the 14th century poet sage of the Javanese Majapahit Empire, Empu Tantular. The text was redesicovered by the Dutch scholar Brandes from among the many Lontar manuscripts among the Dutch booty called the Lombok treasure — looted from the destroyed Lombok palace in 1894, who is said to have committed the phrase to writing for the first time.
The poem expounded a doctrine of reconciliation between the Hindu and Buddhist faiths: meaning literally literally meaning “Although diverse, both truthful to Dharma- thus there exists no duality in Truth”. This spirit of religious tolerance was an essential element in the foundation and security of the newly emerging State of Majapahit and the thusly fledgling Republic of Indonesia. It is roughly rendered, Diverse, yet united or perhaps more poetically in English: Unity in Diversity.
The concept of Bhineka Tunggal Ika was started during the 8th-9th centuries in Central Java to create an understanding between Hinduism and Buddhism. Classic example is Candi Shiwa – Buddha temple.
Afterwards King Airlangga made use of it in the 11th century. However it was Mpu Tantular the court poet of the Majapahit kingdom who propagated: Bhineka Tunggal Ika during the reign of King Hayam Wuruk through his poem Sutasoma. Thus a solid foundation was laid for the Majapahit kingdom. A kingdom that united most of present day Indonesia for the first time.
Unity in Diversity
When the wave of nationalism swept over Asia in 20th century once again the Indonesia leaders found the need to unite. In the struggle for independence in 20th once again the leaders promoted unification by using the ancient motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. In modern times the Republic of Indonesia has made Bhineka Tunggal Ika – Unity in Diversity as a national emblem. It declares the essential unity of its members despite ethnic, regional, social or religious differences.