WHAT IS PANCASILA?
Pancasila, is derived from two Sanskrit words which literally mean the "five principles." Pancasila is what is called in Bahasa Indonesia "pandangan hidup" and are five mutually reinforcing core principles that define the nation and people of Indonesia.
The garuda (eagle) shown below is the national symbol of Indonesia. The 17 feathers on each wing represent the day of the month, the 8 feathers on the tail represent the month, and the 45 feathers on the neck represent the year. Indonesia's independence was declared on 17 August 1945. The garuda bears a banner with the words, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" which mean "unity in diversity." The shield's background is red and white to represent the colors of the Indonesian flag. The symbols on the shield the garuda bears represent the five principles of Pancasila as described below.
KETUHANAN YANG MAHA ESA
The first principle of Pancasila is represented by the star in the center of the shield. This principle translates roughly as "belief in the one and only God." Even though Indonesia is a country comprised of many peoples and religions, the principle suggests the unity in the belief of the one true God.
KEMANUSIAAN YANG ADIL DAN BERADAB
The second principle of Pancasila is represented by the chain in the lower right corner of the shield. This principle is translated as a "just and civilized humanity."
PERSATUAN INDONESIA
The third principle of Pancasila is represented by the beringin (banyan tree) in the upper right corner of the shield. This principle refers to the "unity of Indonesia."
KERAKYATAN YANG DIPIMPIN OLEH HIKMAT KEBIJAKSANAAN
The fourth principle is represented by the bull's head in the upper left corner of the shield. This principle refers to a "democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity out of deliberations amongst representatives."
KEADILAN SOSIAL
The fifth principle of Pancasila is represented by the sheaves of rice and cotton in the lower left corner of the shield. This principle refers to the "social justice for the whole of the people of Indonesia."
As Pancasila, all five of the principles are viewed and applied together as a whole entity. Ideologies or philosophies of other nations or societies may appear similar at first glance, but they are not Pancasila. If one of the principles subsumes another, or if one of the principles are missing, this is not Pancasila. Pancasila means that all five principles are equally important and are viewed equally.
Pancasila can be described as the basic outlook, common philosophy or world view, which are abstracted from the core values uniformly found across Indonesia. Some of these principles may be manifested or phrased somewhat differently in the various subcultures or social groups across the archipelago, yet the core principles remain the same. Pancasila can be applied by an Indonesian as a basic reference in his life as a member of the society, as an Indonesian national, as well as a citizen of the Republic of Indonesia.