Latest / Majapahit: The Empire That Once Ruled Indonesia — Fexingo History / Majapahit's Bhinneka Tunggal Ika: Unity in Diversity
Transcript
- Lucas: Luna, we've talked a lot about Majapahit's military campaigns, its economy, its art — but there's one thing we haven't really touched on, and it's something that still echoes today. The empire's motto, which became Indonesia's national motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. 'Unity in Diversity.' Luna: Oh, I've seen that on the national emblem — the Garuda Pancasila. But it comes from Majapahit? Lucas: It does. The phrase is from a 14th-century poem called the Kakawin Sutasoma, written by the court poet Mpu Tantular. He lived during the reign of Hayam Wuruk, around the 1360s to 1380s. And it's a fascinating piece of literature because it's essentially arguing for religious tolerance. Lucas: You know, before we dive deeper — if this show brings you even a fraction of the curiosity it brings us, and you'd like to help us keep it ad-free and independent, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Just a small gesture if today's topic felt worth it. Luna: Yeah, it's a nice way to say 'hey, I appreciate this.' And it really does help. Lucas: So, the Kakawin Sutasoma is a long narrative poem about the Buddha in a previous life, Prince Sutasoma. But woven into it are teachings about how the Hindu god Shiva and the Buddha are ultimately the same truth expressed differently. The exact verse goes: 'Rvāneka dhātu winuwus Buddha wiswa, Bhinnêki rakwa ring apan kena parwanosen, Mangka ng Jinatwa kalawan Siwatatwa tunggal, Bhinnêka tunggal ika tan hana dharma mangrwa.' Luna: So it literally says 'they are different yet one'? Lucas: Exactly. 'Bhinnêka tunggal ika' — different yet one. And then 'tan hana dharma mangrwa' — there is no duality in truth. This was written in a period when Hinduism and Buddhism coexisted in Java, often in the same temple complexes. At Candi Sukuh, for example, you have both Hindu and Buddhist iconography side by side. Luna: Was that unusual? I mean, elsewhere in the world, different religions often fought. Lucas: It was quite remarkable. In many parts of medieval Asia, you did see syncretism — in China, for instance, Buddhism mixed with Taoism and Confucianism. But what Mpu Tantular did was give it a philosophical foundation. He wasn't just saying 'let's get along'; he was arguing that the ultimate reality is one, and the different paths are just different expressions of that. Lucas: The poem itself is long — over 1,000 stanzas — and it's written in Old Javanese, using Sanskrit-derived meters. It's considered a masterpiece of kakawin poetry. Mpu Tantular was a contemporary of Mpu Prapanca, who wrote the Negarakertagama. So we have two great poets from the same court. Luna: Did the motto survive after Majapahit fell? Lucas: Not immediately. After the empire collapsed in the early 16th century, the phrase faded from public memory. The texts were preserved in the courts of Java — in Surakarta and Yogyakarta — but they were studied by a small elite. It wasn't until the early 20th century, during the Indonesian nationalist movement, that intellectuals rediscovered the Kakawin Sutasoma and saw its potential. Lucas: In particular, a young nationalist named Mohammad Yamin — later a key figure in the independence movement — championed the phrase. He proposed it as a national motto for a future Indonesia, a country that would unite hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and religions. And in 1945, when the constitution was drafted, it was adopted. Luna: So it went from a 14th-century Javanese poem to the motto of a modern nation-state. That's a long journey. Lucas: It is. And it's a powerful example of how Majapahit's legacy isn't just ruins and relics — it's ideological. The idea that diversity can be a strength, not a weakness, was central to the empire's success. They controlled a vast archipelago with different cultures, and they didn't try to homogenize everyone. Lucas: Of course, it wasn't always harmonious. The empire had its conflicts — the Paregreg civil war, the Bubat incident. But the ideal was there, and it was expressed in art and literature. The Wali Songo, the nine saints who spread Islam in Java a century later, also borrowed from this syncretic tradition, blending Islamic teachings with local customs. Luna: Interesting. So the motto isn't just a slogan; it reflects a real historical approach. Lucas: Exactly. And it's worth noting that the phrase 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika' is often translated as 'Unity in Diversity,' but a more literal translation might be 'They are different, yet one.' That captures the paradox better — difference and unity coexisting. It's not about erasing differences, but about finding common ground. Luna: It's almost like a philosophical principle for governance. Lucas: It is. And it's one reason why Majapahit is still studied today — not just as a historical empire, but as a model for pluralism. The Kakawin Sutasoma itself ends with a vision of a just and peaceful world, where all beings live in harmony. That's a powerful message, and it's as relevant now as it was in the 14th century. Luna: Thanks for bringing this up, Lucas. I never realized the motto had such deep roots. Lucas: It's one of those threads that connects the past to the present. And it shows that history isn't just about battles and kings — it's about ideas that outlast empires.