The Buddhist Community's Efforts to Maintain Interfaith Harmony in Bandar Bireuen Village

Abstract

Religious life is a form of belief in supernatural powers believed to influence the lives of individuals and communities. Bandar Bireuen Village is a village in Bireuen Regency where the majority of the population is Muslim, but it also contains a minority community of Buddhists. The existence of the Buddhist community in the village reflects a harmonious, mutually supportive society despite differences in beliefs. The Buddhist community does not isolate itself and builds social relations in forums with the surrounding community, regardless of religious differences. This study aims to determine how the Buddhist community strives to maintain interfaith harmony in a Muslim-majority society. In analyzing the data, the researcher used Robert David Putnam's Social Capital theory, which emphasizes the importance of trust, norms, and social networks in creating societal harmony. This study used a qualitative, descriptive method. Data collection techniques included observation, interviews, and documentation. The results show that the Buddhist community actively maintains harmony through social adaptation, interfaith communication, and involvement in various social activities. This community upholds prevailing cultural and religious norms and maintains close social relations with the Muslim community. Despite facing obstacles such as stereotypes, limited worship spaces, and challenges in passing on religious values ​​to the younger generation, the Buddhist community remains consistent in maintaining peace. It is an important part of strengthening social harmony in Bandar Bireuen Village.