Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity)
Ditulis pada: August 13, 2021
Have you ever thought about where the word Bhineka comes from? Bhineka Tunggal Ika, the sacred motto of our country, Indonesia. Bhineka Tunggal Ika seems to emerge and live in the midst of the life of the Indonesian people. A nation whose diversity is the soul of the life of the nation and state.
Past Stories About Unity in Diversity
The word Bhineka was actually born long before this nation became independent. Judging from his words, Bhineka Tunggal Ika, of course, does not come from Indonesian or even Malay which became the forerunner of the Indonesian language.
The word Bhineka Tunggal Ika was inspired by a stanza composed by Mpu Tantular, a clever or poet who lived during the Majapahit Kingdom.
The term Bhineka Tunggal Ika can be found in his famous poem, "Kakawin Sutasoma". When interpreted, the term Bhineka Tunggal Ika means "Different but one". The term Bhineka Tunggal Ika itself is an excerpt from the story of Sutasoma which according to the history and beliefs of Buddhist followers is Buddha himself.
In the story of Sutasuma who gave birth to the term Bhineka Tunggal Ika, it is told that Sutasoma was faced with a situation that made him think clearly. Sutasoma has to deal with a giant who likes to eat human flesh. Once upon a time, Sutasoma was willing to sacrifice himself to free 100 captive kings to become the giant.
This story is beautifully written through a poem that contains the word “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” in it. A story that tells of the sacrifice and love of one king to save another king. A story that oozes lessons and wisdom in it.
On one occasion, Bung Karno (Proclaimer of Indonesian Independence) was so stunned by the story that told the sacrifice of the King Sutasoma. Sacrifice and pluralism are the characteristics of the Indonesian nation that cannot be negotiated.
Therefore, the spirit of sacrifice for something greater must always be nurtured and sown throughout the archipelago. Bhinneka Tunggal Ika was born.
Different souls as in the word Bhineka Tunggal Ika must be the core of the struggle of every national and state activity. Isn't a good nation a nation that is willing to take lessons and appreciate the history of its own nation?
And of course, the history of Bhineka Tunggal Ika is in the history of the Indonesian nation. Because in truth, the history of Majapahit is also the history of the Indonesian nation.
Symbol and Motto of Indonesia
For the Indonesian people, the Garuda bird is not just an imaginary bird in the air. Garuda bird is considered as a symbol of the state.
As a symbol of the state, the logical consequence is the obligation for every institution in the State of Indonesia to use the symbol of the state, Garuda Pancasila. In the symbol of the country, we can clearly see the writing of Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
However, have you ever thought about what and how is the process of creating a national symbol in which there is our national motto, Bhineka Tunggal Ika? As a big nation, Indonesia must have its own identity.
Indonesia is a strong and big country. Garuda Pancasila is considered to represent and become a complete picture of Indonesian society. When viewed in detail, there are three important parts of the symbol of our country, namely an image of an eagle, a Pancasila shield, and a ribbon that reads Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
Various races, ethnicities, ethnicities, and religions grow and live on Indonesian soil. To bind it all, of course, a binder is needed, namely the basis of the state and the philosophy or motto of the state. In Garuda Pancasila, the five precepts that are the basis of the state are "guarded" in a shield. Garuda's feet gripped the ribbon that read Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
The ribbon is white which can describe the sanctity and cleanliness of the Indonesian people to live in diversity as stated in the sentence Bhineka Tunggal Ika. In addition, the grip of the ribbon by Garuda's feet illustrates a strong determination to always uphold the nation's motto and live in diversity, the Indonesian people.
The Diversity of the Meanings of Bhineka Tunggal Ika
The plurality of meanings contained in the term Bhineka Tunggal Ika is very deep. The predecessors and founders of this country certainly knew very well every potential and characteristic of the Indonesian nation.
With the diversity of nations living in the archipelago, it is not easy, of course, to unite and ensure that they live under the auspices of the same flag, Indonesia.
Stretching wide from Sabang to Merauke and Mianggas to the island of Rote, Indonesia with all its potential can become a big and strong country like the expectations of our country's founding fathers as reflected in the state symbol, Garuda Pancasila. Different but one, Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
Diversity is a necessity. An inevitability that is not negotiable. Bhineka or being different does not matter, especially if each component of the nation realizes that they are indeed different.
Not only in the scope of the state, within the scope of the family, differences are often not a rare item. A necessity when differences produce a mutually reinforcing alloy. Becoming a Single Ika, and finally Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
Consider a man-made building or bridge or fort. Do they come from the same building material? Of course not! They are different, united, mixed, mutually reinforcing so as to create a complete building and beautify the eye.
The moral message contained in the word Bhineka Tunggal Ika is much more perfect if each of us wants to dive in and live up to the fact that humans also accept differences.
Imagine, what would happen if in a country, each human who lived in synergy with each other, there was no longer the word Sunda, Java, Sumatra, or Papua. A symphony of life will be created and sounds sweet to the ear. That is the meaning of Bhineka Tunggal Ika which is the easiest to understand.
When every human being in Indonesia begins to realize that they are different, then a community is created that is aware and voluntarily says that they are different, and says that they need and need other people to work.
Starting from oneself, transforming into a family and finally joining a larger community up to the state level. Bhineka Tunggal Ika will also be achieved.
The word unity is no longer a rare item if the word Bhineka Tunggal Ika is held and controlled perfectly. A union that is non-negotiable especially in the position of the nations living in a very diverse country, the event of national disintegration will not surface.
In fact, if this nation wants and believes that they are united with each other and has the belief that they live in the midst of diversity.
The meaning of plurality (Bhineka Tunggal Ika) actually comes from the story of the sanctity and sacrifice of the King Sutasoma in front of a giant who wants to eat another king.
Indonesian Unity
As discussed earlier, the forerunner of true unity is the awareness that a nation lives in the midst of diversity. Unity of diversity. That's a phrase that might be used as a beautiful excerpt of a union.
The term "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" actually expresses unity itself. Different but still one, a beautifully composed phrase that must be preserved forever.
In other countries, the essence of Indonesia's Bhineka Tunggal Ika is actually also there. Pay attention to the 3rd principle of Pancasila, "Indonesian Unity".
Realizing that Indonesia is made up of diverse nations, of course, the founding fathers of the Indonesian state wanted that diversity not to be used as an excuse to unite. In fact, this diversity can be used as potential for the progress of the nation and state.
