Unity in Diversity

One of the most popular destination in Semarang, the capital of Central Java, Indonesia is the temple of Sam Po Kong. It is built to worship Admiral Cheng Ho, the great sailor from Middle Kingdom who travelled to many places for commercial and diplomatic missions. I feel that this temple is the most unique in the country, a temple shared by many beliefs.

There are many halls in the temple complex. The main hall housed the altar of deity Cheng Ho. On the rear chamber, which is dwarfed by the sheer size of main hall, lies a huge black wooden coffin, which is belief to be the final resting place of the chief sailor of the Cheng Ho's Treasure fleet. On the next hall, there are many pictures of Chinese deities including those of Confucious.

The unique thing is that Cheng Ho and his chief sailor, whose name I have forgotten, were Muslim Chinese. The Chinese community worship him the way they worship Guan Gong because of his deeds. In Taoism, the dead is beleive to keep on living amongst us. Those with huge achievement and special attributes could be "upgraded" to become deity who would then protect the living ones. Cheng Ho was seen to be one of the outstanding heroes among the Chinese community, be it in mainland China or among the overseas Chinese. He is seen to be the protector of the society.

The interesting fact is that the Muslim, also pay tribute to those figures at the same temple. The Chinese worship with incense on the main hall, the Muslim went to the real hall and pray in the Javanese - Muslim manner as they seek blessing from the deities. The are some Kyai, or the Muslim religious leaders, who would assist them on the praying. The Kyai would pray in Javanese, before handing over a jimat to them. Jimat supposed to bring blessings and protection. I was futher amazed when I saw an old Muslim fellow prayed, in the normal Muslim way, before the altar of Confucious.

Is it not amazing to see the harmony in the midst of differences ? Islam, Javanese Mysticism, Buddhism and Taoism are co-existing i na peaceful manner. I still remembered clearly how the people of different belief prayed to their own comfort, undisturbed nor irritated by the presence of others who prayed in different manner. Post Septermber 11 world is dominated by religious conflicts. The words 'Jihad', 'extremism', 'infidels' and 'crusade' filled the newspapers articles. But when I saw the Kyai chatted heartily with some Buddhist followers, the feeling of a world filled with hostility, resentment and antagonism seemed to ceased to exist. This is the society that Indonesia desire to create. This is the attitude that most Indonesian cultivate. Toleransi.

I am not a strong believer in any religions, but I saw such tolerance as a superior form of adherence. The scripture of many religions taught their people to "Love thy neighbours" but at the end of the day, radicalism conquer the sense. I strongly despise and disapprove of religious leaders who called their people to strike, inflict harm or see the people of other beliefs. When I was in a church in Singapore, the preacher humiliated, humbled and condemn other beliefs. But at that very moment, I also hear him himiliate himself, humbling his own God and religion. After all, the Supreme being created us as one people, teach us to love each other, teach us patience teach us to control ourself.

I am gald to be part on Indonesian society where harmony and tolerance is the most upheld virtue. Most of the Indonesian still live in peace with each others, like those in Semarang, ignoring the call from any of the irresponsible religious leaders to condemn the others. I am proud of it. We should be proud of it. It is our duty to keep it that way.