A Modern Hindu Monotheism: Indonesian Hindus as 'People of the Book'

This article studies the remaking of Indonesian Hinduism into a monotheism with a sacred text, a prophet, and universal ethical system. These are the requirements for all nationally accepted religions in Indonesia. This adaptation of Hinduism has resulted in the only situation in the modern world in which there is a single, universal exposition of Hinduism for a national community. This article will postulate three types or strands of Indonesian Hinduism, and examine the ways that the most modern strand has been organised and implemented. We shall also describe the school curriculum through which Hinduism is taught in standardised religion classes throughout Indonesia, a curriculum which has been accepted and funded by a Muslim majority national government, and which encourages culture and cohesion in the Hindu community. It demonstrates a unique ability to compromise and adapt on the part of both Hindus and Muslims, a compromise based on progressive theology and new interpretation of doctrines.