Inter-religious Communication Between Hindu and Muslim Communities: Reinterpreting Sādhāraṇikaraṇa Through Perennial Philosophy in Plural Societies

Abstract

This article explores interreligious communication between Hindu and Muslim communities through a reinterpretation of the classical Hindu communication theory of Sādhāraṇikaraṇa, framed within the lens of Perennial Philosophy. The study investigates how communication strategies rooted in religious traditions contribute to promoting religious moderation in plural societies such as Indonesia. Sādhāraṇikaraṇa, which emphasizes the simplification and universalization of religious messages, is analyzed as a communicative bridge capable of transcending doctrinal boundaries. The research adopts a qualitative approach, combining literature review and in-depth interviews with religious leaders and interfaith communication practitioners. Findings indicate that both Hindu and Islamic communication models emphasize shared spiritual values such as compassion, justice, and peace — values aligned with the universal truths proposed by Perennial Philosophy. These shared foundations support a moderate communication paradigm, fostering dialogue and mutual understanding across religious divides. This study contributes to the global discourse on interfaith communication by offering a cross-cultural theoretical synthesis that integrates Eastern and universalist perspectives.