Four Sri Lankan monks undertook a visit to Jakarta, Indonesia on September 25 as part of the Temple-to-Temple Diplomacy Programme launched by the Foreign Affairs State Ministry.
This initiative was set in motion by Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, with the guidance of the President and Foreign Affairs Minister. Under the supervision of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jakarta coordinated with the temples in Indonesia to arrange the visit.
The visiting monks have been welcomed by the two Indonesian temples: Vihara Jakarta Dhammacakka Jaya and Vihara Siddharta. During their stay, the Sri Lankan monks will explore temples in Jakarta, Semarang and Bandung, including a visit to the Borobudur temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, which is also a UNESCO heritage site.
The temple-to-temple diplomacy programme stands as a unique approach to international relations, highlighting the profound cultural and religious ties between nations. This programme serves as a bridge toward greater understanding, cooperation, and cultural exchange, fostering regional peace and stability. It is poised to pave the way for enhanced economic collaboration, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
Although the majority of Indonesians practice Islam, the Buddhist population (approximately two million) is also quite significant as they play an active role in Indonesia’s business community. Ven. Narada Maha Thera, a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, is considered as the first Theravada Bhikkhu to have set foot in Indonesia, to revive Buddhism in the country.
The Sri Lankan Embassy is actively collaborating with temples across various Indonesian provinces to expand this diplomatic outreach.
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