The Existence of Confucianism in Religious Plurality in Indonesia
1. Foreword
For Confucians it does not matter that the government or other people do not recognize Confucianism as a religion. Because religion is a matter of faith, the believers. The matter is that, in Indonesia, the recognition of existence is essential because of the public intervention towards citizens on religion. In the circular of Home Affair Minister No. 477/74054/BA.01.2/4683/95, dated 18 November 1978, the government did not recognize the existence of Confucianism as an official religion. The letter stated that the government- recognized religions are Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hinduism, and Buddhism and at the time the civil rights of Confucians began shackled. The implication is very wide, i.e., the civil rights of Confucians have been taken away by the government for the last 20 years; for example, taking the Confucianism away from the population statistics in view of religion; Confucianism is not taught in schools, but Gadjah Mada University has been consistent in offering Confucianism as an optional subject since 1967; Confucianism is taken away from religious column in ID card (in practice the Confucian is invisibly forced to include one of the five official religions); most civil registration offices refuse to register the intra-confucian marriage.
Until now, we still undergo the impact of the Home Affair Minister’s circular, which is in fact illegal and now has been revoked by the circular of Home Affair Minister No. 477/805/SJ, dated 31 March 2000. The government apparatus in field do not care if the circular has been revoked, before the implementation guidance is issued they remain not to give spaces to the Confucianism in either ID card or marriage registration at civil registration offices. It is very apprehensive when the government proclaims the enforcement of law supremacy; it is still merely a slogan, anyway. It was a fact that the Supreme Court made decision on public administration jurisdiction case between Budi Wijaya versus Kakan. The civil Registration of the Municipality of Surabaya granted Budi Wijaya’s lawsuit and instructed Kakan. The municipality of Surabaya registered the marriage held on 23 July 1995 in the Confucianism way at ‘Boen Bio’, which meant that it had permanent legal forces, but it was deemed by the civil registration office of Surabaya and other provinces. Although the Supreme Court’s decision is pointed towards them, they keep on refusing to register the marriage of the Confucian couples. Indeed, the laymen can draw conclude with a common sense that the circular is obviously against the Pancasila based state and the 1945 Constitution, Article 29.1 in which the state guarantees the freedom of religion. So, there is no religion which is recognized or not, and so is the official religion. If the existence of religion in Indonesia needs recognition from the government, as its logical consequence in Indonesia there was no religion before 1945, only did ideology exist. Do we like to take this consequence? In addition to Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution, article 29.2., there is another lawful product namely Act No.1/PNPS/1965 which is still valid until now. In its explanation of article 1 it is mentioned “The religions adhered by Indonesians are Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This is proved in the development of religious history in Indonesia”. According to Monk Eka Darmaputera, as quoted by Lasiyo in his dissertation, “the election of the above six religions is based on the definition of religion as proposed by the Minister of Religion at the time. Stated in the definition, there must be four minimum requirements: 1) having a holy scripture, 2) having a prophet, 3) believing in one God, and 4) having a religious ritual for its followers. For the adherent of Confucianism, it is important to restore their civil rights as Indonesian citizens because their duties are unavoidable and equal to other citizens, but why their civil rights are ‘shackled’ merely because of being Confucians?
It is not right on the mark to understand and judge the Confucianism nowadays without understanding past events, because understanding something apart from its background and historical relationship will give us peripheral insights and will not give us the truth either. Trying to catch the historical relationship will get far richer and complete insights in order to get true meaning.
Pre-colonial historical records proved that Chinese ethnic partly the adherent of Confucianism could coexist with the local people, socialize and be untied without differentiating others, live in harmony, without discrimination, without measures to differentiating the indigenes from the non-indigenes.
Say for example, there was a China town in Gunung Jati, Cirebon in 1415. It was described that Admiral Haj Kung Wu Ping, a descendant of Confucianism, built a lighthouse tower on the hill of Gunung Jati. Not far was also built the Hanafi Moslem Chinese Community, namely in Sembung, Sarindil was assigned to provide teaks for ship repairs. Talang Compound was assigned to maintain the port. Sembung was to maintain the lighthouses. Three Hanafi Moslem Chinese compounds all together were also to supply the foodstuffs for the ships of Ming Dynasty.”
At the Dutch Colonialism, Chinese ethnic were restricted through divide et impera policies, like the ordinance of special settlements, permit and examination laws by police and other regulations as well. In Indische Staatsregeling, the Dutch divided Indonesian populations into three groups namely Europe, Indonesia and East Foreigner. According to Article 163 was focused the Dutch’s measures: on the one hand, they strengthened the western solidarity, and on the other hand, they deteriorated Asian and color-skinned solidarity. The purpose of colonial was achieved and the solidarity between the indigenes and Chinese was shattered. The divide et impera policies, then, was continued by the New Order government who tried to put the Chinese culture out in order to inhibit the assimilation. The measures of New Order government, then, had an impact on some parts of Indonesian society, including the press; it thereby appeared the stereotype that most Chinese were traders, mostly unfair, and had bad habits. These needed more attention. Moreover, the mass media reported about the fault of Confucian descendants as the fault of the whole group. When there was a report of a Chinese breaking the laws, for example, smuggling, his Chinese name was written. On the other hand, the achieved Chinese, like a badminton player, was never tinkered his/her Chinese name. This may form the opinion in people that it is common that Chinese is a smuggler.
There is an indication that Chinese people are closely bound to their forefathers, it is, according to the writer’s opinion, the issues which are deliberately blown off, without any concrete evidences about the truth of the above indication. Since RRC and the government of the Republic of Indonesia on 22 April 1955 signed the agreement of two citizenship, it was a historical turning point since which most Indonesians of Chinese ethnic changed their status of ‘Hoa Kiauw’ to Indonesian citizens. Being Indonesians of Chinese ethnic, which was formerly considered overseas Chinese, has now become Indonesians integral and united to the whole Indonesians. With the equal status and rights as Indonesian in thoughts, understanding, and aspiration, everything is actually clear and they understand to whom they have to devote their loyalty and dedication. For Chinese, whatever their religions are, patriotism has long grown. They do something, struggle with all their heart and soul to materialize the prosperous nation. On the contrary, a fair treatment is expected from the government by giving protection as it is to other citizens.
II. CONFUCIANISM AT GLANCE
Confucianism is not only given to the Chinese, let alone when the Prophet of Khongcu was still alive, there was no concept of Chinese at all. There was no Chinese word either Hua Ren or Han Ren found in the Holy Scripture of Confucianism. Khongcu only talked about virtues and encouraged people to understand the civilization.
The prophets who developed the teachings, which is now called Confucianism came from various regions. The original name of Confucianism is Ru Jiao or Ji Kau, which means the religion for the gentle, obedient, and learned. Matteo Ricci, the Society of Jesus missionary, who came to China in the fifteenth century, called the teaching of Khongcu the prophet, the biggest of other figures, Ru Jiao Confucianism.
The Holy Scripture of Confucianism underwent a very long period of development. The oldest scripture originated from the Holy King of Giau (2357 – 2255 BC) and the newest was written by Bingcu (died in 289 BC) and lasted about 2000 years.
Khongco the prophet was born in 551 BC. The story of Khongcu is at glance as follows. The forefather of Khongcu was the Majesty Oey Tee (2698 – 2598 BC). He was crown prince, a civilized leader, a pioneer of human civilization, and a wise-ass that was capable of leading the people to a worldly and spiritually harmonious life. The father of Khongcu was Khong Hut alias Siok Liang who had Tien Cay as his wife of Gan clan.
Khong Siok Liang Hut was an old officer, yet he was always depressed because he had 9 daughters and a disabled son.
2.1. Born as a Prophet
Being apprehensive, Gan Tien Cay often followed her husband to go to the hill of Ni, worshiped and prayed before the Almighty Thian in order to be granted a holy and noble son to generate descendents. Thian, the Lord, accepted the holy prayer of a devout and faithful mother. One night Mother Gan Tien Cay got a vision; came the North Star Angle and said to her, “Accept the gift from the Lord a Holy and Glorious Son, a Prophet. You have to bear him in Khongsong Valley.”
It was true, since then she was pregnant and whenever her pregnancy was getting older, she got another vision: “There came five elder people who called themselves Five Important Stars while leading an animal like a scaly deer, single-horned like a dragon. The animal knees before Mother Gan Tien Cay and from its mouth outpoured a stony scripture of Kumala, which wrote, “The Holy Water Son will replace the Ciu Dynasty and will become the King without Crown”. Mother Gan Tien Cay tied a red rope on the animal horn and the vision disappeared.
When Khong Siok Hut was informed about that, He responded, “It’s Ki Lien,’ who only appeared if the crown prince commanded.
When the time of birth was approaching, Mother Gan asked her husband where the Khong Song was located. In fact, Khong Song was the name of cave in Lam San. She went to the place in accordance with the guidance and she prepared everything to welcome the birth of the baby.
At the night of birth, two dragons went down to watch over on the right and left. The strains of music were heard beautifully from the sky. Two fairies appeared themselves and poured the fragrant smells as if to bathe the mother. When the baby was born, the well of warm water emerged from the floor of Khong Song and dried after the baby was bathed. At the night, the North Pole Star radiated to the surface of the dark earth. The Yellow River, which always churningly flew muddy and yellow water, was indeed remarkable, clear, and calm. From the sky heard the voice, “Thian, the Great Unity God, is pleased to beget a son, the Prophet.” Stars were scattered across the shining sky and peace was on earth. Wind blew breezily bringing coolness and the next morning the sun shone brightly and warmly. On the baby’s body appeared the extraordinary signs, on the chest was written, “The Prophet is sent to help the world sinking and breaking the Holy Way.” There was born a son, the Prophet, who is later in fact the bearer of Lord’s Word to help human beings live on the right way; he is Khongcu, the Lord’s Voice for all of us, who make us live peacefully and orderly in His will from His coming up to returning. Thus, Khongcu the Prophet was born in 551 Before Christ, when calculated backward on October 3 or according to the calendar of Khongcu Lik on 27 month 8. Khongcu’s father died when the Prophet was three years old, and in 525 BC, His mother, Gan Tien Cay died when He was 26 years old.
2.2. The Beginning of Revelation
Khongcu began spreading the revelation he received from the Lord when He was thirty. At the time the Prophet said, “I want to dedicate myself for all, because all human-beings indeed are one family, and Thian, the Great Unity Lord has assigned me to guide him. I am 30 years old, have firm will, and am healthy: I am really aware of what I will do.” Since then He began receiving his disciples and others in 518 before Khongcu the Prophet made a trip to the city of Loo-iep, the capital of East Ciu Dynasty. Khongcu and his disciples went around from a country to another, to Wee, Tien, Chai, Khong, Cho, Siap and even crossed the Yellow River to Cien; they suffered, were in danger, and were often about to be killed. On the trip to Tien and pass Khong, because of misunderstanding, the people thought Khongcu was Yang Ho, a rebel from the state of Lo; Khongcu together with his disciples were besieged and detained. On the frightening situation, the Prophet said and persuaded his disciples, “After King Bun’s death (Prophet King Chiang), isn’t it his teachings/scriptures I inherit? If the Great Unity Lord wishes to destroy the teachings/scriptures, I, who came later, will not get them. If Lord expects the perpetuity of the teachings/scriptures, what the people of Khong will do upon me?” The same happened when they passed the state of Song. A bad, cruel, and corrupt authority named Hwan Twee, who considered the presence of the Prophet dangerous for his position, hampered and blocked the Prophet in preaching God’s Word. They even tried to bring misfortune on the Prophet and his disciples. Facing the dangerous situation, the Prophet affirmed the disciples’ faith and said, “Thian has incited the virtues (Holy Way) in myself, what Hwan Twee can do on me?” The faithful Prophet, on carrying out his holy task, the Great Unity Lord is the firmest protector. The Prophet said, “I do not grumble about the Great Unity Lord, nor blame human-beings. I only learn from this low place and keep on going toward the highest. Thian, the Great Unity Lord, understand myself.”(Holy Word XIV: 35). The above-mentioned examples show the prophecy of Khongcu always fresh in the challenge of spreading the religious teachings.
According to historical records, the disciples of Khongcu were more or less 3,000 persons, and 72 of 3,000 persons were categorized progressive. Until the advanced age, the Prophet continuously worked to carry out his holy duties, in leading his disciples and in completing the compilation of Holy Scriptures as well.
2.3. The End of Revelation
In 481 Before Christ, one day the crown prince of Ai together with his ministers and followers went hunting. In the hunting, a miraculous animal, with a single-horned head, deer-like body, scaly and bluish feather, was killed. Neither the crown prince of Ai nor his disciples knew about the animal. Finally, the crown prince was reminded of Khongcu, a messenger was commanded to pick up Khongcu. On receiving the news, he hurriedly went with the messenger. As soon as he saw the animal, the Prophet of Khongcu shouted out with emotional voice and creeping, “ …… it is Kilien …… why do you show yourself? Why do you make yourself visible? My trip is finished now ……” In one of the scriptures it is written, “After Kilien is killed, Thian has sent the bloody rain down which forms the alphabet outside Lo Twan Gate, sounding, “Immediately create the Holy Laws, the time of Khongcu has come. The Dynasty of Ciu disappears, wiper star will appear, the kingdom of Chien will rise, and chaos will happen. The scriptures will be destroyed, but your word will always be perpetual.” After seeing the case, he made an altar for the ritual ceremony and he put the Holy Scriptures on the praying table. He assembled the disciples and led the prayer, struck the bell in front of the North Star and bent over three times. The prophet, then, held up the pen and dipped it into the red ink to the North Star, and said, “Now it is enough, Khiu (the prophet’s nickname), to implement the Word of Thian for human-beings. Khiu has finished compiling and put the Holy Scriptures into book form. When time has come, Khiu is ready to return to the Great Unity Lord.” After the Prophet finished speaking, the dark cloud came in the north, and later changed into the white fog. After the white fog disappeared, there appeared rainbow with five beautiful colors.
At the end of his life, the Prophet one night dreamt of sitting on a building between two red pillars. The dream convinced the Prophet that he was about to leave this world. The prophet since then did not go out of the house. Seven days later he died and returned to the Great Unity Lord. The tasks as the spiritual voice of the Great Unity Lord had been completed. Through his teachings, the words of Lord were radiated to the human beings at the time and then from time to time gave awareness and guidance to every human being to open their heart, see, hear, and follow him. Prophet Khongcu died at the age of 72, on month 18 two Khongculik (lunar) 479 Before Christ, and was buried modestly in the city of Kiok Hu, near Su Swi River. The disciples who respected and loved him mourned for 3 years and made huts around the grave. Cu Khong continued mourning until six years. The prophet of Khongcu has passed away, but his holy teachings continuously develop through his disciples and believers in various parts of the world until now.
