The Young Buddhist Association Indonesia (YBAI), in collaboration with members of the Buddhist Spiritual Student Units of Ciputra University, Airlangga University, and Surabaya University, held a takjil distribution event on 7 March, providing 1,000 food packages to Muslim commuters outside the YBAI headquarters in the city of Surabaya in East Java.
The holy month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, requires a full fast from food and drink between dawn and sunset. Takjil—light snacks traditionally consumed at iftar, the meal eaten after sunset, to break their fast—carry particular significance for those traveling as the sun goes down, for whom a timely meal can be both a practical relief and a moment of spiritual comfort.
Held from 5:15–5:45 p.m., as iftar approached, the event saw volunteers hand out packages containing bottled water, dates, bread, and bananas to commuters making their way home. The recipients expressed gratitude for the provisions as they prepared to break their fast.
YBAI chairperson Limanyono Tanto described the event as an expression of mudita (Skt.), the Buddhist quality of taking sympathetic joy in the happiness of others.
“We feel deeply joyful seeing our Muslim friends sincerely observing Ramadan by strengthening their morality through fasting, restraining thirst and hunger, avoiding unwholesome actions, and consistently cultivating goodness,” Tanto explained. “These practices resonate beautifully with the values of the Buddhadharma, making it entirely appropriate for us, Buddhist youth, to contribute by sharing takjil to assist those commuting amid traffic as they approach breaking their fast.”
Representing Buddhist students from Surabaya University, Eric Ricardo, echoed the sentiment: “We are delighted to take part in this takjil-sharing event. It is a living expression of our Buddhist practice—ensuring happiness for all beings through genuine and compassionate action.”
The Young Buddhist Association is the leading Buddhist youth organization in Indonesia. Through a deeply held conviction in the Buddha’s message of compassion, growth, and liberation, the association promotes a positive lifestyle among the young in order to cultivate a society founded on wisdom, compassion, and gratitude. The association is involved in establishing Buddhist organizations nationwide, propagating the study of the Dharma among young people, and providing leadership training.
The YBAI expressed heartfelt gratitude to all parties who had supported and facilitated the event, expressing hope that this small gesture of generosity would nurture unity, harmony, and interfaith solidarity—and serve as a field of merit for all involved.
Although officially a secular nation, Indonesia is home to a diversity of communities and religious and spiritual traditions. Islam is the most widespread religion, observed by 87.1 per cent of the population, according to national data for 2024. Christian traditions account for a combined 10.5 per cent, Hinduism 1.7 per cent, and Confucianism, folk, and other traditions account for a combined 0.07 per cent.
Buddhism, practiced by 0.7 per cent of the population—roughly two million people—is the second-oldest spiritual tradition in Indonesia after Hinduism. According to historical accounts, Buddhism first flourished on the archipelago around the sixth century, which was followed by ascent and decline of a number of powerful Buddhist empires, including the Shailendra dynasty (c. 8th–9th centuries), the Srivijaya empire (c. 7th–12th centuries), and the Mataram empire (c. 8th–11th centuries). Today, the majority of Indonesian Buddhists are affiliated with Mahayana schools of Buddhism, although communities of Theravada and Vajrayana practitioners also exist.
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