Dhammayuttika Nikaya in Indonesia

Saṅgha Theravāda Dhammayut Indonesia (abbreviated as STDI; Thai: คณะสงฆ์ธรรมยุตในประเทศอินโดนีเซีย, romanized: Khana Song Thammayut nai Prathet Indonesia) is a Theravada Buddhist sangha (monastic community) organization in Indonesia which serves as the official branch of the Dhammayuttika Nikāya,[1][2] a Theravada order from Thailand. STDI functions as the official representative and successor of the Dhammayuttika Nikāya ordination lineage in Indonesia, as well as an institutional umbrella for monks ordained in this tradition. STDI oversees more than 40 viharas and cetiyas across various regions in Indonesia.

History

Background

The presence of the Dhammayuttika Nikāya in Indonesia is inseparable from the Dhammadūta (Dhamma envoy) mission sent from Thailand. Since 1969, Thai envoy monks were officially sent to various countries, including Indonesia, to propagate Theravada Buddhism. These envoys originated from the Dhammayuttika Nikāya lineage and were tasked with guiding the laity and training Indonesian monastic candidates.

In 1970, Ven. Somdet Phra Ñāṇasaṁvara directly conferred ordination to Indonesian nationals at Borobudur, which became one of the starting points for the formation of the Theravada community in Indonesia.[3] However, at that time, the monks ordained in the Dhammayuttika lineage did not yet have their own sangha organization, and some joined existing organizations, such as the Sangha Agung Indonesia (Sagin).

On October 23, 1976, Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia (STI) was formed by five Indonesian monks originating from the Dhammayuttika Nikāya ordination lineage: Bhikkhu Aggabalo, Bhikkhu Khemasaraṇo, Bhikkhu Sudhammo, Bhikkhu Khemiyo, and Bhikkhu Ñāṇavutto. STI was established as an independent sangha organization, separate from Sagin.[4]

In subsequent developments, STDI (Saṅgha Theravāda Dhammayut Indonesia) was established as a sangha organization to specifically accommodate and act as the official representative of the Dhammayuttika Nikāya order in Indonesia, with the support of Dhammadūta from Thailand.[1] Unlike STI, which had been previously established as an independent institutional umbrella for monks who are Indonesian citizens,[note 1][5] STDI is structurally connected to and under the guidance and supervision of the Dhammayuttika Nikāya authority in Thailand.[1]

Recent developments

The existence of STDI as an official sangha organization is recognized by the Government of Indonesia through the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Walubi, which lists STDI as one of the Buddhist institutional organizations in Indonesia alongside other sangha organizations.[6]

STDI actively participates in various national and international religious activities. In 2024 and 2025, STDI was recorded as the organizer of major observances such as Kaṭhina and Māgha Pūjā in Jakarta, attended by thousands of devotees and participated in by dozens of monks from within the country and abroad.[7][8]

Organization and leadership

STDI comprises monks and samaneras (novice monks) who have been ordained in the Dhammayuttika Nikāya lineage. The organization is also known as Perkumpulan Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia.[9][8]

The leadership structure of STDI is headed by a chairman. Based on reports from official Ministry of Religious Affairs sources, the position of Chairman of Perkumpulan Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia is held by Ven. Bhikkhu Dhammavuddho Thera. STDI is under the guidance of Dhammadūta (Dhamma envoys) from Thailand and maintains a close relationship with the Dhammayuttika Nikāya.[9] One of the key figures who plays a major role in guiding STDI is Ven. Bhikkhu Wongsin Labhiko Mahathera, acting as the Head of Thai Dhammaduta for the Indonesian region.[7]

Activities

STDI actively organizes various religious and social activities, both on a national and international scale.

Religious observances

STDI routinely organizes major Buddhist observances, including:

  • Kaṭhina Bersama: The annual observance of presenting kaṭhina robes to the Sangha. In 2025, STDI held a Joint Kathina at JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, attended by thousands of devotees and over 50 monks.[7]
  • Māgha Pūjā: STDI also organizes the Māgha Pūjā Harmony and Blessing celebration, attended by over 700 Buddhists and led by more than 50 Sangha monks, including senior monks (lungpho) from Thailand.[8]

Social activities

STDI demonstrates social concern through various humanitarian actions. In April 2025, STDI distributed humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in Myanmar in the form of 65 boxes weighing a total of 767.1 kilograms, containing blankets, tarpaulins, first aid kits, medicines, clothing, and various other urgent necessities. This aid was dispatched in collaboration with the TNI using a C-130 Hercules aircraft.[10][11]

Spiritual development

STDI is also active in guiding monastic candidates through training programs for samaneras (novice monks) and aṭṭhasīlanīs (women observing the eight precepts).[12] Additionally, STDI monks engage in various spiritual activities such as the thudong tradition (spiritual wandering of monks) traversing various regions in Indonesia.[13]

List of viharas

The following is a list of viharas and cetiyas under STDI's umbrella in Indonesia, as recorded in the official Dhammayuttika Nikāya directory.[2]

List of Dhammayuttika Temples in Indonesia
NoName (Thai)Name (Indonesian/Latin)Location (City/Regency)Province
DKI Jakarta
1วัดพุทธเมตตาVihara Buddha Metta AramaCentral JakartaDKI Jakarta
2วัดพุทธธรรมVihara Buddha Dhamma CitaviriyoNorth JakartaDKI Jakarta
3วัดเฮมาทิโร เมตตาวตีVihara Hemadhiro MettavatiWest JakartaDKI Jakarta
4วัดสามัคคีธรรมVihara SamakkhidhamWest JakartaDKI Jakarta
5วัดปัญญาสิกขาVihara PannasikkhaWest JakartaDKI Jakarta
6สำนักสงฆ์ รูมาฮ์ เกอซาดารันCetiya Rumah KesadaranWest JakartaDKI Jakarta
7สำนักสงฆ์ติรตนะ ปารมีCetiya Tiratana ParamiNorth JakartaDKI Jakarta
8สำนักสงฆ์สารีปุตตา มหากิตติคุณารามCetiya Sariputta Maha KittikunaramEast JakartaDKI Jakarta
9สำนักสงฆ์อนาถะ ปิณฑิกะCetiya AnathapindikaWest JakartaDKI Jakarta
Banten
10วัดสิทธัตถะVihara SiddhartaSouth TangerangBanten
11วัดเนกขัมมารามVihara Nekkhamma Forest Meditation CentreTangerangBanten
12สำนักสงฆ์ธรรมทายาทCetiya DhammadayadaTangerangBanten
13สำนักสงฆ์มหากุสลา โปริสCetiya Maha Kusala PorisTangerangBanten
14สำนักสงฆ์พุทธชัยมงคลCetiya Buddha Jaya ManggalaTangerangBanten
West Java
15วัดวิปัสสนาคราหะVihara Vipassana GrahaWest BandungWest Java
16วัดปอนด่อก เมดิตาซี อัสรี จากาสัมปูรนาVihara Pondok Meditasi Asri JakasampurnaWest BekasiWest Java
17วัดเวสสันดรVihara VessantaraBekasiWest Java
18วัดพุทธชยันตีVihara Buddha JayantiBekasiWest Java
19วัดมหาวิริยะอารามะVihara Maha Viriya AramaBogorWest Java
20วัดสันติสุขอารามะVihara Santi Sukha AramaBogorWest Java
21สำนักสงฆ์สวนมิตรภาพKebun PersahabatanPurwakartaWest Java
22สำนักสงฆ์สังฆเมตตา อารามะCetiya Sangha Metta AramaBogorWest Java
Central Java
23วัดวิสมาภิกขุ จายาวิชยะVihara Wisma Bhikkhu JayawijayaTemanggungCentral Java
24วัดเอกะธรรมโลกาVihara Eka DhammalokaJeparaCentral Java
25วัดปอนด่อกภันเตวิญญ์Vihara Pondok Bhante WinMagelangCentral Java
26วัดธรรมกุสุมาVihara DhammakusumaCilacapCentral Java
East Java
27วัดพุทธวิริโยVihara BuddhaviriyoSurabayaEast Java
Bali
28วัดวิสมาสมณะVihara Wisma Samana(not specified)Bali
North Sumatra
29วัดลาภิโก บุดดิส เซ็นเตอร์Labhiko Buddhist CentreMedanNorth Sumatra
30วัดโบโรบุดูร์Vihara BorobudurMedanNorth Sumatra
31วัดศากยมุนีVihara Sakyamuni ITBCDeli SerdangNorth Sumatra
32วัดพุทธสุชาตาVihara Buddha SujataMedanNorth Sumatra
33วัดรักขิตะวนา บุดดิส เซ็นเตอร์Rakkhitavana Buddhist CentreDeli SerdangNorth Sumatra
34วัดอโศการาม บุดดิส เซ็นเตอร์Asokarama Buddhist CentreLangkatNorth Sumatra
35วัดชาติศากยะ เมติตาซี เซ็นเตอร์Jatisakya Meditation CentreDeli SerdangNorth Sumatra
36วัดสวาร์นา ดุวิปะVihara Swarna DwipaAsahanNorth Sumatra
37สำนักสงฆ์บุดดิส เมดิเตชั่นเซ็นเตอร์ (บีเอ็มซี)Buddhist Mediation Center (BMC)MedanNorth Sumatra
Riau
38วัดธรรมเมตตาVihara Dhamma Metta AramaPekanbaruRiau
Jambi
39วัดวิมุตตระVihara VimuttaraJambiJambi
Bangka Belitung Islands
40วัดบังก้าธรรมารามVihara Bangka DhammaramBangkaBangka Belitung Islands
41สำนักสงฆ์ปุสดิกัส พุทธเบอลิตุงPusdiklat Buddha BelitungBelitungBangka Belitung Islands
North Sulawesi
42วัดธรรมทีปะ มานาโดVihara Dhammadipa ManadoManadoNorth Sulawesi
Gorontalo
43วัดพุทธธรรม โกรอนตาโลVihara Buddha DharmaGorontaloGorontalo
Papua
44วัดธรรมชัย ปาปัวVihara Cycloop Dhammajaya SentaniJayapuraPapua

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Based on the Preamble as well as Article I and Article III of the Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia Charter according to Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia 2022, STI was established as an independent institutional umbrella for Theravada monks who are Indonesian citizens. The supreme sovereignty of the organization lies entirely in the hands of the Grand Assembly (Mahāsaṅghasabhā) of STI's internal monks (Article III paragraph 2), without any administrative subordination or direct hierarchical chain of command from any foreign sangha. This distinction in entity is also explicitly recorded in the Mahāthera Samāgama Resolution No. 173/2010 released by Sekretariat Mahāthera Samāgama 2010. The document distinguishes two separate agendas: the annual internal meeting of the Dhammayut Sangha Committee at Vipassana Graha Vihara (Bandung), and a "joint meeting" (joint meeting / การประชุมร่วม) between the Dhammayut Sangha (Thai: คณะสงฆ์ธรรมยุตในประเทศอินโดนีเซีย) and Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia (Thai: คณะสงฆ์เถรวาทของประเทศอินโดนีเซีย) which was held separately at Mendut Vihara (Yogyakarta).

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sekretariat Mahāthera Samāgama (2010-04-09). "มติมหาเถรสมาคม ครั้งที่ ๘/๒๕๕๓ มติที่ ๑๗๓/๒๕๕๓ เรื่อง ขออนุมัติเดินทางไปร่วมประชุมคณะสงฆ์ธรรมยุตในประเทศอินโดนีเซีย" [Mahāthera Samāgama Resolution 8/2553 Decision No. 173/2010 Regarding: Request for Approval to Attend the Dhammayut Sangha Committee Meeting in Indonesia] (PDF) (in Thai). สำนักงานเลขาธิการมหาเถรสมาคม (Secretariat of the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand). Retrieved 2026-08-15. การประชุมสามัญประจำปี... ของคณะสงฆ์ธรรมยุตในประเทศอินโดนีเซีย โดยสำนักงานกำกับดูแลพระธรรมทูตไปต่างประเทศ (ธรรมยุต) (Annual general meeting... of the Dhammayut Sangha Committee in Indonesia under the Office of the Overseas Dhammaduta Mission of the Dhammayut Tradition)
  2. 1 2 "ทำเนียบวัดคณะสงฆ์ธรรมยุตในต่างประเทศ ปี 2569" [Directory of Overseas Dhammayuttika Sangha Temples Year 2569 (2026 CE)]. Wat Dhammayut (in Thai). Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  3. ↑ Sombat Pavitto (March 2019). Kebangkitan Agama Buddha di Indonesia dan Sejarah Pembangunan Vihāra Jakarta Dhammacakka Jaya. Vihāra Jakarta Dhammacakka Jaya. p. 4.
  4. ↑ "Sejarah STI". Sangha Theravada Indonesia. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  5. ↑ Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia (2022). "Piagam Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia". Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia. Retrieved 2026-08-15. Maka, untuk memberikan wadah kelembagaan bagi ajaran suci Buddha Gotama serta para bhikkhu Theravāda warga negara Indonesia dalam melaksanakan cita-cita tersebut di atas, dibentuklah Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia... (Therefore, to provide an institutional umbrella for the holy teachings of Buddha Gotama and Theravāda bhikkhus who are Indonesian citizens in carrying out the aforementioned ideals, the Saṅgha Theravāda Indonesia was established...)
  6. ↑ "Ketua Umum Walubi Sambut Presiden RI dan Presiden Prancis di Puncak Candi Borobudur". Ditjen Bimas Buddha Kemenag RI. 2025-05-29. Retrieved 2026-08-14. Di dalam Walubi berhimpun organisasi - organisasi kelembagaan Buddha antara lain: 1. Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia (STDI) (Within Walubi, Buddhist institutional organizations are gathered, among others: 1. Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia [STDI])
  7. 1 2 3 "Kathina Bersama 2025 STDI, Wujud Bakti Umat untuk Buddha Sasana". Ditjen Bimas Buddha Kemenag RI. 2025-11-09. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  8. 1 2 3 "Ratusan Umat Buddha Ikuti Magha Puja Harmony dan Blessing di Tahun Naga Kayu". Ditjen Bimas Buddha Kemenag RI. 2024-03-17. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  9. 1 2 "Pertemuan Bersejarah Sangharaja Thailand dan Hartati Murdaya Pererat Persahabatan Dharma". Ditjen Bimas Buddha Kemenag RI. 2025-09-24. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  10. ↑ "Dharma dalam Aksi: Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia Bantu Korban Gempa Myanmar". Ditjen Bimas Buddha Kemenag RI. 2025-04-03. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  11. ↑ "Sangha Theravada Dhammayut Indonesia Kirim Bantuan Kemanusiaan untuk Korban Gempa 7,7 Myanmar". Tribun Kaltara. 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  12. ↑ "Program Latihan Samanera dan Atthasilani Ke-II". Buddha-Gotama.com. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
  13. ↑ "44 Biksu Menjalani Prosesi Thudong Menyusuri 2 Candi Besar di Indonesia". Magelang Ekspres. Retrieved 2026-08-14.
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