Buddhist Women and Polygamy Issue in Indonesia

Buddhism is not a new religion in Indonesia because it has existed in the country since 4th century A.C.. After that, due to the Islam domination in the country, Buddhism becomes minor religion and must seek its creative ways to maintain its existence in Indonesia. Buddhist women must be creative too when they face some Islamic concepts regarding women. It is because, many Islamic concepts have different point of view from Buddhism regarding women.Speaking about family and social life, women have pivotal role. Polygamy as the one of many issues that places women in difficult situation sounds very familiar for Indonesian people including Buddhists. This practice has happened in Indonesia in ancient time especially in the royal families. Now, the practice of polygamy flourished everywhere because it is justified and legal in Islam as majority belief in Indonesia, under certain circumstances. Actually, polygamy has also happened in the Buddhist society even during the Buddha’s time. It was shown in the story mentioned in the Dhammapada Aṭṭhakathā (Dh.A. I. 43.ff) about two wives who had endless hatred towards each other in many rebirths due to polygamy. Nevertheless, not like in Islam, it is not getting justification as practicable or recommendable even under certain circumstances. Speaking about family life, having one wife is more conducive for the betterment of spiritual and social life than having many wives. Even when having one wife, the training to not having sexual intercourse is recommendable in Buddhism four times a month during the uposatha day. “What is the impact of polygamy towards the life of Buddhist women in Indonesia?” and “how Buddhist women should lead the family life in the midst of polygamy practice for the betterment of society?” are the main issues of this article.