Indonesia is a unique cauldron of cultures. The country with the highest population of Muslims in the world, has Hinduism so deeply embedded in its culture, it's hard to believe.
My Indonesian friend in office is Muslim and his name is Eka - Sanskrit for "one".
A colleague in Jakarta who I contact very often - Sudama
Another is Visnu, and one Indra. These are all Muslims.
Almost everyone in Indonesia has a Sanskrit name.
This one day, I discovered that Eka actually knows more about the Mahabharata and Ramayana, than me.
I used to think I know quite a lot.
In Indonesia, on the night before Eid, families sit together and read through short stories from these epics.
I was truly amazed. Do we EVER do that?
In fact, Indonesians use the Hindu gods and their symbols in every sphere of their life. Be it at the entrance of their houses or to mark the beginning of something auspicious.
Don't believe me? Here is the logo of Indonesia's most elite engineering college(where Eka studied.)
(That is the Hindu god Ganesha marking the most sought after educational institution in a country with Muslim majority.)
The badge for Mechanical Engineeing students - which is on their school jackets.
For electrical guys,
Winners of competitions/tournaments usually receive a statue of Ganesha as prize.
EDIT:
First hand account of Brinda Sarkar in the comments:
Another post in the comments.
Qonita Gws went to this high school in Indonesia.
And she also shared a picture of Indonesia's currency note which boasts of Ganesha along with their father of education - Devantara.
Sai Nellore's post in the comments. He witnessed the below in 1995.
http://faculty.ece.illino
Courtesy: Quora
My Indonesian friend in office is Muslim and his name is Eka - Sanskrit for "one".
A colleague in Jakarta who I contact very often - Sudama
Another is Visnu, and one Indra. These are all Muslims.
Almost everyone in Indonesia has a Sanskrit name.
This one day, I discovered that Eka actually knows more about the Mahabharata and Ramayana, than me.
I used to think I know quite a lot.
In Indonesia, on the night before Eid, families sit together and read through short stories from these epics.
I was truly amazed. Do we EVER do that?
In fact, Indonesians use the Hindu gods and their symbols in every sphere of their life. Be it at the entrance of their houses or to mark the beginning of something auspicious.
Don't believe me? Here is the logo of Indonesia's most elite engineering college(where Eka studied.)
(That is the Hindu god Ganesha marking the most sought after educational institution in a country with Muslim majority.)
The badge for Mechanical Engineeing students - which is on their school jackets.
Winners of competitions/tournaments usually receive a statue of Ganesha as prize.
EDIT:
First hand account of Brinda Sarkar in the comments:
Hinduism is part in their culture and Sanskrit in the language. Their philosophy of their constitution is called Pancha Sila, meaning Five Principles in Sanskrit.
When we lived in Jakarta, our domestic help’s name was Sita and our doctor was Mohammed Vishnu. Their national airline is called Garuda, the mythical bird from the Ramayana
Another post in the comments.
Qonita Gws went to this high school in Indonesia.
And she also shared a picture of Indonesia's currency note which boasts of Ganesha along with their father of education - Devantara.
Sai Nellore's post in the comments. He witnessed the below in 1995.
http://faculty.ece.illino
Courtesy: Quora
