Oleh I Putu Tirta Agung

It was such a beautiful day, where the sun shines brightly. The sea looked so calm and it was covered by a gentle breeze of wind. Shortly after breakfast, Merah with an enthusiastic face swiftly took his bag of clothes and said farewell to his mother. Merah was so happy, because that very day he was going to spend a couple of nights at his cousin’s place, named Abang. Differ with Merah who was a fisherman, Abang worked as a farmer and lived near the countryside. Subsequent to a delightful journey, Merah arrived at Abang’s house and greeted his cousin with a smile on his face. As a reply, immediately Abang gave Merah a welcome hug and then escorted him to the guess cabin. Afterwards, Abang offered Merah lunch at the dining room. There, finally both men were immersed into a deep conversation:

Abang: How’s work back home Merah?

Merah: Oh, it is getting better and better every day dear cousin. In fact, at the end of the last season I managed to buy my own boat. Therefore, I didn’t have to worry anymore about the fee I should pay to the shipmasters. Even yesterday, I bought mom a new cooking set. Hence here I am, taking a vacation at your place. How’s yours?

Abang: Similar with you Merah and I have good news for you. Last week I just bought a new rice field. Therefore, now you’re talking to the richest landlord in this region.

Merah: I’m so glad on hearing your fortunate condition. I think you ought to make some offering to Dewa Baruna, for this blessed situation.

Abang: Who the hell is Dewa Baruna? Besides, I have given some offering to Dewi Sri for Her grace to me.

Merah: Don’t you insult Dewa Baruna like that, for He is the protector of the sea. By the way, who is Dewi Sri? What power she has? A female Lord, oh it just doesn’t make sense.

Abang: Watch your mouth Merah. Dewi Sri is the protector of the land. She gives us prosperity. Not like your Dewa Baruna. I bet He is shape like a big ugly fish.

Suddenly the tension arose across the room.

Merah: (banging his hand to the dining table) how rude of you calling my Lord like that!

Abang: I’m free on doing anything in my own house! If it doesn’t suit you well, then please go away and while you’re leaving bring along your Dewa Baruna with you. Since I think He is just full of crap.

Merah: Ok then, send my best regard to that bitch you called Dewi Sri!

After saying that last complement, Merah leave Abang’s house with a furious face. It was just an irony for them, because a pleasing commencement should ends dreadfully. Maybe they were forgetting about the true meaning of the philosophical concept of “Bhineka Tunggal Ika Tan Hana Dharma Mangrwa” .

The infamous phrase of “Bhineka Tunggal Ika Tan Hana Dharma Mangrwa” is actually adapted from the pupuh 139, bait 5 of Kakawin (philosophical writings) Sutasoma, authored by Mpu Tantular at around 14AD. The kakawin was special at that time, primarily on its purpose, because it taught tolerance between the Hindus and the Buddhist in the kingdom of Majapahit, which later was used as a tool for Islam and other religion entering the Indonesian Archipelago. The full bait is as follows:

Rwaneka dhatu winuwus Buddha Wiswa
Bhinnêki rakwa ring apan kena parwanosen
Mangkang Jinatwa kalawan Siwatatwa tunggal
Bhinnêka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrwa

Perhaps Siwa and Buddha are two different substances
They are different, but what can be known
For the truth Jina (Buddha) and Siwa is single in unity
Though it is different but it is still of the same harmony, only the wise people who call it (the divine one) with many names

I Putu Tirta Agung adalah salah seorang staff dari Jangkang Research Institute.