The Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs warmly welcomed a delegation from University of Patanjali, led by its Vice-Chancellor, Acharya Balkrishna, during an official meeting held at the Directorate General’s Conference Room on the 14th Floor in Jakarta on Monday (8 June 2026).
The delegation was received by Prof. I Nengah Duija, Director General of Hindu Community Guidance; Dr. Ida Made Pidada Manuaba, Secretary of the Directorate General; heads of Hindu higher and basic education; and representatives from University of Patanjali.
The meeting focused on exploring strategic collaboration opportunities between University of Patanjali, the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance, and Hindu higher education institutions across Indonesia. The proposed partnership extends beyond academic development and aims to strengthen Hindu identity, knowledge, and community service through research, education, cultural preservation, and the advancement of knowledge rooted in Hindu traditions.
During the meeting, Acharya Balkrishna expressed his appreciation for Indonesia’s success in preserving its cultural heritage and Hindu values across generations.
“India and Indonesia share common civilizational roots in the Hindu tradition. Although our traditions have evolved in different forms and expressions, these ties will become even stronger if we continue to preserve our shared cultural and spiritual heritage together,” he said.
Acharya Balkrishna introduced several potential areas of cooperation, including student and faculty exchange programs, scholarships, short courses, and the development of studies in Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, the Vedas, Hindu philosophy, and naturopathy.
One of the key proposals emerging from the meeting was the development of an Indonesian Hindu Encyclopedia, grounded in academic research and historical evidence. The encyclopedia is envisioned as a comprehensive reference covering the history of Hinduism in Indonesia, Hindu traditions and culture throughout the archipelago, Sanskrit, religious rituals, customary practices, and the diverse local wisdom traditions found across the country.
Acharya Balkrishna explained that scholarly documentation is essential for strengthening young people’s understanding of and pride in their Hindu religious and cultural heritage.
“When people understand their history, cultural roots, and ancestral values, they develop both pride and a sense of responsibility to preserve and pass them on,” he remarked.
Responding to the proposals, Prof. I Nengah Duija welcomed the initiative and expressed appreciation for University of Patanjali’s commitment to strengthening cooperation. He emphasized that the partnership would not only reinforce institutional ties between Indonesia and India but also create valuable opportunities to enhance the capacity of Hindu human resources through sustainable education and training programs.
Prof. Duija particularly welcomed the short-course programs offered by University of Patanjali for lecturers, students, and educational staff from Indonesia’s Hindu higher education institutions. He described the initiative as a strategic opportunity to deepen knowledge of Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Vedic studies, Indian culture, and traditional health systems that have been systematically developed in India.
“These short-course programs are highly relevant to the current needs of Hindu human resource development. Through them, our lecturers and students will gain international academic experience, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen their competencies in Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, and other areas of Hindu studies that can later be further developed in Indonesia,” Prof. Duija stated.
He further expressed hope that the program would serve as a gateway to broader academic collaboration, joint research initiatives, and capacity-building programs that deliver tangible benefits to both the Hindu community and Hindu religious education in Indonesia.
“We have Hindu higher education institutions that can serve as strategic partners in research and educational development. We will encourage inter-campus collaboration so that this partnership produces meaningful benefits for the Hindu community and society at large,” he added.
Regarding the proposed Indonesian Hindu Encyclopedia, Prof. Duija explained that Indonesia’s Hindu higher education institutions would play a leading role in conducting research and preparing the academic framework for the project.
He also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in the development of herbal medicine and Ayurveda studies through universities offering programs in Yoga and Health Sciences. Institutions such as I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa State Hindu University Denpasar and Tampung Penyang State Hindu Institute were identified as having strong potential to establish herbal gardens and centers for traditional health studies.
In addition, both parties discussed cooperation in organizing the Prambanan Yoga Festival and an International Conference on Yoga and Ayurveda, planned for 2027. These initiatives are expected to provide a platform for Indonesia’s Hindu higher education institutions to engage with experts from India and help shape the future development of Ayurveda-related academic programs.
The meeting marked an important first step in strengthening relations between Indonesia and India, particularly in the fields of education, research, culture, traditional health, and Hindu human resource development.
Through this growing collaboration, both sides hope to create programs that not only benefit the academic community but also deepen religious understanding, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance services for Hindu communities throughout Indonesia.
Contributor : I Made Juni Saputra
Photographer : I Gede Dipayana
Contributed and Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
