"Tolerance and inter-religious harmony, as well as social and cultural resilience should continue to be maintained, strengthened, and nurtured," the vice president said at a function to open the 10th Indonesian Mahasabha Parisada Hindu Dharma meeting in Bali on Sunday.
According to the vice president, religious tolerance was an important pillar to sustain the existence of the Indonesian state and nation.
Boediono said that as a pluralist country the Indonesian state and nation were formed on the basis of an agreement among all elements in Indonesia`S society of various religious and ethnic backgrounds.
"Without such an agreement, there would not be an Indonesian state and nation," the vice president said.
He said the variety of religions had the same function, namely to lead mankind to achieve peach and harmony in the world.
Therefore, he added, all religions taught the importance of mutual understanding, respect, and love; and that the founders of the Indonesian nation were well aware of that.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
