Walubi rejects rival organization<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A representative of the Indonesian Buddhist
\nCommunity (Walubi) has renounced the formation of a rival
\norganization, The Grand Conference of Indonesian Sangha (KASI),
\nsaying that the newly formed association had little backing from
\nBuddhists here.<\/p>\n
Oka Diputra, who chairs Walubi, told journalists on Saturday
\nthat the new Buddhist organization had no authority to make
\ndharmas (codes) nor could it issue rulings.<\/p>\n
He claimed that KASI, established by the Budhayana Assembly on
\nNov. 14, only represented a tiny portion of the five million
\nBuddhists in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"Of course, Buddhists here are free to associate, but such an
\norganization should not be created just because of an internal
\nconflict within Walubi," he said.<\/p>\n
Walubi executives were divisively torn following the election
\nof their representative to the interest group faction in the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
Many groups in Walubi nominated Hartati Murdaya, a Buddhist
\nbusinesswoman, while the Budhayana Assembly nominated its
\nchairman Pramono.<\/p>\n
The National Election Commission, which was in charge of
\nselecting the 65-member interest group faction, in the end
\nappointed Hartati, also a former deputy chairwoman of the Supreme
\nAdvisory Council, to represent Walubi in the Assembly.<\/p>\n
Oka said Walubi was open to peaceful dialog and reconciliation
\nprovided the rival organization was dissolved.<\/p>\n
He said the presence of two organizations in the Buddhist
\ncommunity would raise confusion among the people. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/walubi-rejects-rival-organization-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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