The Buddhist kingdom in Indonesia has become one of the most important parts of Indonesian history. Just like the Hinduism kingdom in Indonesia, Buddhism in Indonesia also has its kingdom that brings a different culture.
The history record about the Buddhist kingdom in Indonesia that exist between the fourth century AD up until about 16th century AD. Even though the Hinduism kingdom existed before, but both Hinduism and Buddhist can live together at that time.
That makes some kingdoms in Indonesia has two religion of the Hindus and Buddhist but commonly lead by a different king. This time, we will bring you into the most popular Buddhist kingdom in Indonesia from their glory to the fallen time. Check them out below!
- The Sriwijaya Kingdom
Sriwijaya Kingdom becomes the most popular Buddhist kingdom that existed between 600 up to 1183 centuries AD. The kingdom was capable to conquer so many areas whether in Indonesia and outside of the country.
Sriwijaya kingdom spreads its conquering areas from Palembang and most of Sumatra areas, then spreads to Central Java and West Java. Not only conquering Indonesian, but also up to Malay, Cambodia, and the south of Thailand.
Sriwijaya becomes the most successful trader in Indonesian history using their marine armies. There is so much proof about the kingdom such temples and inscriptions spreads on those conquering areas.
- The Kalingga Kingdom
Kalingga Kingdom becomes the oldest Buddhist kingdom in Indonesia which exist since around the fourth century AD. The kingdom was centering their kingdom in the north of Java island with the Pekalongan and Jepara as the center of government kingdom.
As time goes by, the Kalingga kingdom was parted into two kingdoms as Hinduism reach around the kingdom. The Kalingga kingdom was persistent with their Buddhist religion in Indonesia, but the other one chooses to be the Hindus and built the Medang kingdom under king Rakai Mataram.
- The Mataram Buddhist Kingdom
After Mataram Kuno fell apart and twisted become two kingdoms, the Mataram Buddhist kingdom keep the kingdom in Buddhist religion under the Syailendra dynasty. They exist around the seventh century AD with the center of governance in Central Java.
Along with the governance of Mataram Buddhists, they built so many proves as their existences of Buddhism kingdom. You can find some of them such as the Sewu temple, Kalasan temple, and Borobudur temple as the most popular Buddhist temple in Indonesia.
- The Dharmasraya Kingdom
Dharmasraya kingdom becomes one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia that exist between 1183 up to 1347 centuries AD. The kingdom was lead by king Srimat Trailokyaraja Maulibushana Warmadewa and his descendants.
The Dharmasraya kingdom was built after the Sriwijaya starts fallen apart around Sumatra. They made the center of their kingdom in Malayu kingdom with the city that calls as Dharmasraya.
The Dharmasraya kingdom also spread their conquering areas up to Grahi that located in the south of Thailand. The kingdom has as great as the Sriwijaya kingdom in doing trader using the marine armies.
The proof of the Dharmasraya kingdom’s existence is proven by some inscriptions. You can see one of them such as in the Grahi inscriptions in Thailand, Padang Roco inscription, Amoghapasha sculpture, and Suruaso inscription in West Sumatra.
- The Sri Bangun Kingdom
Sri Bangun kingdom becomes one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia that exist around 1800 centuries AD. It is located in Bangun city, around the Mahakam river as part of the Kutai Kartanegara region.
Sri Bangun kingdom was lead by king Qeva that some people believe him as the descendant of the king of the Martadipura kingdom. There are so many sculptures as proof of the Sri Bangun kingdom such as the Buddhist Pengembara, Lembu Nandi, Singa Noleh, and Sri Bangun site.
- The Majapahit Kingdom
Majapahit kingdom becomes one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia in around 1292 up to 1478 centuries AD. Even though on the first governance the kingdom using the Hinduism religion but the kingdom has shown some Buddhist style of some kingdom funerals.
The Buddhist history of the Majapahit kingdom was written on some old books of the Sanghyang Kamahayanan Mantrayana. Some of the proof shows that the first king and their descendant were buried in a Buddhist way. You can see the proof of it at the Sumberjati temple as one of the proofs of a brief history of the Majapahit kingdom.
- The Singhasari Kingdom
Singhasari kingdom that now popular with the Singasari kingdom was built by Ken Arok in 1222. The kingdom becomes one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia with so many proofs of sculptures. You can see some of them such as the popular Prajnaparamita sculpture as the representative of Ken Dedes as Ken Arok’s wife.
People believe that the Singhasari Kingdom is part of the Kediri Kingdom after the kingdom fell apart. As the Buddhist kingdom, the kingdom make their way of the kingdom under king Ken Arok that praises the Great Shiva so much.
- The Bali Dwipa Kingdom
Bali Dwipa kingdom becomes one of the Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia that exist around the 8th century AD. The kingdom was located around the Gianyar regency that shows some of the Syailendra styles as the representative of Buddhists in the kingdom.
Bali Dwipa kingdom becomes the first kingdom in Bali before Hinduism come to reach the area. They built so many proofs as their existence of sculptures, popular temples in Bali, and inscriptions. You can find some of them in Bali such as the Loka-Lava, Nazar Buddhist inscription, and Stupika.
So, there are some of the most popular Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia that exist from their glory to their fallen time. Have ever visit one of their proofs existence?
