Shedding New Lights on Javanese Mysticism: Pegon Manuscripts in the Javanese World

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the Javanese mystical teachings from the Islamic point of views. By examining the development of Javanese mysticism in the suluk literatures, especially those written in Pegon manuscripts, this paper tries to trace back the position of Islam in the mystical dimension of the Javanese people, especially in the idea of waḥdah al-wujūd. This concept teaches the Oneness of God, who is the ultimate source of all existence. Nothing possesses an existence except it is derived from Him. It makes an analogy of creatures and the Creator as the rays of sunshine. Taking all the general Javanese esoteric ideas in the manuscripts studied, the vital point this paper made is that the concept of the unity between the servant and the Lord, which is the deep-rooted doctrine in Java, is genuinely rooted in Islamic teachings. Another finding of this study is concerned with the critical role of pesantren tradition in the dissemination of waḥdah al-wujūd as clearly shown in many Pegon manuscripts. Therefore, the accusation that the “pantheistic” feature in Javanese mysticism is solely attributed to poets, not Islamic scholars, is rejected.

Kitab Rukun Istinjak: Integration of Fiqh and Sufism in the Early 19th Century of West Borneo Hinterland

“…The research of pegon manuscripts on Javanese mysticism established the crucial point that the deep-seated philosophy in Java-the union between the servant and the Lord-is actually rooted in Islamic teachings, taking into account all the basic Javanese esoteric concepts in manuscripts examined. 37 Thus, it is clear that the purpose of the Rukun Istinjak manuscripts examined in this study is as a unique reference book used to learn Sufism by H. Abang Achmad Tahir. As a prominent preacher of Islam, the manuscript could also be used by H. Abang Achmad Tahir to teach Islamic religious knowledge to a limited group of indigenous people of Kapuas Hulu who lived in the village of Prajurit, South Putussibau Sub-district, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan Province.…”

Visual Language of Javanese Script on Shoe Design as Cultural Identity

“…Historical evidence used to compile the Javanese script can be found in the inscriptions, including (1) The Yupa inscription in East Kalimantan and the royal inscription Tarumanegara in West Java depict the early Pallava aksara, (2) The final Pallava script is in the Srivijaya royal inscriptions and the Canggal inscriptions in Central Java, (3) Early Kawi script is in the inscriptions of Dinoyo, Plumpunga, inscriptions of King Rakai Kayuwangi and Rakai Belitung, (4) The final Kawi script in the inscriptions of King Airlangga and Kediri, (5) Javanese Majapahit script as contained in the inscription Orchard, Kabantenan, and Batutulis, (6) Javanese characters from the 15th century are found in Suradakan inscriptions, (7) The use of new Javanese characters in the 16th century is found in the Suluk Seh Bari (Ahmad 2019). These are examples of general development in Java, each region in Java has its own civilisation.…”