“This fund will be used to help people in need, including disaster victims in Sumatra and other regions,” Umar said during the launch at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Jakarta on Sunday.
The fund was introduced during an award ceremony for teachers of Buddhist religious education organized by the ministry’s Directorate General of Buddhist Guidance.
In his remarks, Umar praised the directorate general for initiating Dana Paramita, describing it as a platform for Buddhist civil servants to set aside a portion of their income for socio-religious purposes aimed at assisting vulnerable communities.
The minister emphasized that every contribution, regardless of its amount, would deliver meaningful benefits to communities affected by disasters.
“The language of religion plays a crucial role in mobilizing social assistance for the public,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director General of Buddhist Guidance Supriyadi said the management of Dana Paramita is regulated under Minister of Religious Affairs Regulation No. 18 of 2025, noting that financially capable employees are required to contribute as part of practicing Buddhist teachings.
He stressed that the ministry is committed to ensuring transparent, accountable, and sustainable management in the planning, collection, distribution, and utilization of the charitable fund.
“The implementation of Dana Paramita for Buddhist civil servants is carried out by the Directorate General of Buddhist Guidance in cooperation with the Dana Paramita Buddha Maitreya Indonesia Foundation,” Supriyadi said.
He added that the fund serves as the ministry’s mechanism to organize donations from Buddhist employees and channel them to support religious, educational, capacity-building, health, empowerment, cultural, and environmental programs.
Supriyadi also noted that Buddhist civil servants can contribute through non-cash payment methods, supporting financial digitalization and integration with national payment systems.
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Translator: Asep F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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