The Amazing Cultural and Spiritual Tourism Potential of the Indonesian Nation
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
The peak of the glory of the Srivijaya kingdom between the 7th century and the 13th century AD marked a high civilizational achievement, because it not only triumphed in a strong and strong state administration, but also became the leading center of Buddhist education in Southeast Asia on a par with Nalanda – a Buddhist college in India – which is world famous. At that time, many students and monks from various countries came to Sriwijaya to study. This means that the teachers and instructors in Srivijaya at that time had received world recognition on a par with the Nalanda educational institution in Bihar, India since the 5th century AD during the time of Emperor Kumaragupta I. And Nalanda was famous as a center for Buddhist education which included philosophy, astronomy, logic and other sciences.
Nalanda College flourished until the end of the 12th century before being conquered by Islamic forces led by Bakhtiyar Khilji, from Helmand, Afghanistan.
Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji was a Military General from the Ghutid dynasty under the leadership of Ghori — who conquered the eastern region of India, including Bihar and Bengal in the late 12th century to the early 13th century. In 1203 AD, Bengal was conquered until the establishment of the Khilji dynasty in the region. All Buddhist educational centers were destroyed, including the Nalanda Vikranashila and Odantapuri Universities which caused a major decline in the Buddhist scientific tradition in North India. Therefore, the Srivijaya kingdom in Sumatra became the only center of higher Buddhist education in the world. So that the center of spirituality in the world was for a long time in danger in Sumatra, the Archipelago which later became part of Greater Indonesia.
The problem now is, why from the unity and unity of the Nusantara ethnic groups that have become Indonesia, is it not more resilient and strong like Majapahit and Srivijaya for example. At least, Sriwijaya, which was once a magnet for Buddhist knowledge and had the magnificent Muara Jambi and Muara Takus temple complexes, was unable to illuminate the world of Nusantara human civilization today which has been united by the Republic of Indonesia.
The arrival of the spiritual figure I-Tsing from China to study in Sriwijaya in the 7th century clearly proves that there was recognition that the civilization of the Nusantara nation was more advanced, at least from the Chinese nation at that time. This means that the existence of educational institutions in Sriwijaya is at least equivalent to Nalanda in India. This real evidence is a reflection of the intellectual and spiritual heritage of the Nusantara nation as a reference for nations in the world.
Even a Buddhist figure from India himself, namely Atisha, is recorded as having studied in Sriwijaya before finally spreading his teachings in Tibet.
The development of Mahayana Buddhism centered in Srivijaya proves that the Srivijaya kingdom was not only strong politically and as a maritime country, but also superior spiritually and intellectually in the world, so that it deserves to be a center of religious pilgrimage for Buddhists throughout the world. Therefore, it can be immediately imagined that if Borobudur Temple, Cindi Kalasan, Prambanan Temple and Cindi Muara Jambi and Muara Takus Temple can be managed well to the maximum — not only as cultural tourism objects, but also as spiritual tourism — then tourist visits, especially Buddhists in various countries, will flock to Indonesia, like the visit of pilgrims from all over the country coming to Mecca, not only during the Hajj season, but also performing Umrah at any free time. And a number of other historical sites in Indonesia are part of the expression of pride of the Indonesian nation.**
Fish Market, Jkt, June 13, 2025
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