BHAGAVAD GITA MOVEMENT IN INDONESIA AN EFFORT TO REESTABLISH VEDIC CIVILIZATION IN NUSANTARA
BHAGAVAD GITA MOVEMENT IN INDONESIA
AN EFFORT TO REESTABLISH VEDIC
CIVILIZATION IN NUSANTARA
Ni Kadek Surpi[1]
Lecturer at Brahma Widya Faculty-
Hindu Dharma Institute –Indonesia
surpi_radha@yahoo.com
@GerakanBhagavadgitaIndonesia
http://sathyamparamdhimahi.blogspot.co.id/
I BHAGAVAD GITA REVOLUTION IN
INDONESIA
1.1 Celestial Song Resounding from Bali
Nowadays
Bhagavad Gita becomes a very popular scripture and literature. The young
generation who’s before reluctant to learn about religion now shifting towards
learning Bhagavad Gita. It is caused by the Massive effort of Bhagavad Gita
movement targeting the youth in Bali. Moreover in some Public and event Private
School Bhagavad Gita become an extracurricular. This fact also skim the opinion
that reading Veda is difficult and only done in the past or in the undetectable
asceticism caves.
Over an effort more than 10 years, hundreds
youth committed to read Bhagavad Gita every day. Bhagavad Gita is no longer
become a monopoly for the spiritual seekers but a scripture that awaken the
youths, arousing the youth’s spirit to gone after the best thing on their
lives. Bhagavad Gita is no longer a sacred and untouchable for the young
generation but then become The Successful Scripture.
This
powerful hand of Bhagavad Gita Revolution turn out to be a small yet visionary
organization, Vivekananda Spirit Indonesia (VSI) motored by 12 youths. The
program on teaching Bhagavad Gita which have been made routinely since 2012 by
the VSI visit upon some schools, community to teach Bhagavad Gita and
motivating the Balinese youth to read Bhagavad Gita. One year after this
program work, it is still a small activities and plod way. However in a year
the Bhagavad Gita Readers Community already settled in various private and
public schools. VSI activity is based on jñāna-yajña
(Bhagavad Gita IV.33) which is knowledge base yajña. There are 3P pillars work field in VSI which is Penulis (Writer), Peneliti (Researcher), and Pembicara
Publik (Public Speaker). All the members of VSI are directed to be expert
on this 3P pillars, so they can be extraordinary devotee. Most of the activity
done by VSI are jñāna-yajña because
this yajña is very important to build
the civilization but not many people doing it. So many people doing yajña like helping poor people go get a
proper house, medical treatments, foods and that are very useful yet the
knowledge yajña which is the real and
the highest yajña only a few people
pay attention on it.
Bhagavad
Gita is a universal scripture which can break through the disparities walls and
became the source of inspiration since thousands years ago yet the teaching
still relevant until today. Bhagavad Gita which can revolutionize Arjuna’s
mental were also hoped can make a revolution towards the mental of Balinese and
Nusantara youth so they become smart, energetic, brave, have self-confident and
good character. Because only by a good human source the Hindu People of
Nusantara can giving a contribution for their country and do their best for
their nation all at once.
1.2
Reading
Veda Tradition in Nusantara
Reading
Veda and listening to advice for sacred gurus actually is an old tradition in
Nusantara. Those tradition trace is easily to be detected and there are plenty
of them. But when the Hindu civilization changed into Muslim along with the
effort of ‘Arabization’ for hundreds years, finally slowly the Hindu
civilization diminish by times and more tradition were lost. Reading veda
tradition on the history record is already popular since Sri Darmawangsa Teguh
era in Kediri Kingdom 918 Saka (916M). Meanwhile in Bali, reading Veda
tradition predicted to be far older in Watukaru tradition, an ancient Vedic
civilization in Dewata Island which it’s historical note showing that Vedic tradition amend nicely in
the 5th Saka century (641M). Even
in Watukaru tradition it is believed that the Balinese ancestor is really
eloquent in spelling Vedic mantras, have a marvelous tradition in reading Vedas
and also have a mature understanding about it. But unanimous with the
historical journey in Bali, reading Vedas tradition become more isolated inside
the agriculture society. This tradition finally shifted which only done by the
ashram, pasraman or gria, and because
of the common people not always asking about tatwa aspect (knowledge) much more gria only developing the knowledge about upakara (ceremonies) rather than another aspect.
As
consequences the society is not educated on reading the Vedas, even there a
suspicion that Veda can read only by some group, like the Brahmana or Saint.
Veda became isolated from the common people indeed tradition to read Veda
reputed not as Balinese culture but Indian culture. But in Balinese Tradition
still have a tradition to read kidung,
kekawin which is the translation from
Indian belles-lettres through the Nusantara’s ancient poet.
The
Religion politicization in Soeharto era along with the foreign policy that
Indonesia supporting Pakistan rather than India during the India-Pakistan
conflict in 1965 were successfully build the Anti-India feeling, that
identifying Balinese Hindu Culture were
different with the India. Indonesia’s foreign policy that choosing Pakistan is
impacting in the effort to build some anticipation towards India. Beside that
the de-Soekarnoisation also put a
contribution on isolation towards India, where Soekarno was suspected closed
with India, contrary with Soeharto who choose Pakistan.
Therefore
Bhagavad Gita that introduced by Hindu intellectual like Prof. Dr. IB Mantra
still suspected as Indian Culture and suspiciousness will erode the Balinese
custom and tradition. So the impression that Veda can’t reads by common people
and the foreign policy in Soeharto Era were giving a big contribution towards
the tradition on reading Vedas in Indonesia.
In
this era, the Bhagavad Gita Values exactly indispensable rather than any other
centuries before. By means of that since 2012 there is a systematic effort to
reintroduce Bhagavad Gita especially to the young generation. The main goal is
to build character and fervency as the values which gained by the Founding
Father of Indonesia, Dr. Ir. Soekarno from read Bhagavad Gita. But then this
movement is not without any obstacle. Rejection came exactly from various
community that hope supposed to be helps. Yet the Bhagavad Gita Movement
incessantly implemented from Bali island keep moving and get more sympathy from
various parties. Through multiple efforts from Hindu Bali youths, the History
of Bhagavad Gita finally recorded to be a spectacular event with mass reading
Bhagavad Gita in Pura Luhur Tanah Lot, Tabanan-Bali. Almost 9000 people
attending this event. The World Record Museum Indonesia (MURI) recorded this event
implemented by 6336 particpants in Pura Luhur Tanah Lot, Tabanan on 23rd
November 2014.
Those
event is very amazing because it was the first time with a massive people attended
and read the whole 700 slokas of Bhagavad Gita. Since that time Bhagavad Gita
become more popular even though some groups still assail it with various
blasphemy mostly in social media. However almost in Indonesia region inspired
to hold various event about learning Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita Classes,
Festival and special camp finally performed in some regions in Indonesia. This
program also inspired another country to do the same way.
II
REBUILD THE VEDIC CIVILIZATION IN
NUSANTARA
2.1 Song of Bhagavad Gita Sounded
From Bali.
Nowadays
Bhagavad Gita is a popular scripture and literature in Bali. Balinese youth
whose before unwilling to learn religion now shifting into reading Bhagavad.
This is because of the effort of Bhagavad Gita movement in Bali which is one of
their target is the young generation. In some public and private school
learning Bhagavad Gita become an extraculicular activity. This fact also skim the opinion that reading
Veda is difficult and only done in the past or in the undetectable asceticism
caves. Bhagavad Gita is no longer become a monopoly for the spiritual seekers
but a scripture that awaken the youths, arousing the youth’s spirit to gone
after the best thing on their lives. Bhagavad Gita is no longer a sacred and
untouchable for the young generation but then become The Successful Scripture.
The Popularity of Mahabharata TV serial also giving a contribution for the
popularity of BhagavadGita. Beside that Bhagavad Gita Songs which sang by
Balinese Actress and packages in modern way spread very fast. From Bali, the
song of Bhagavad Gita sounded to the whole Nusantara.
Festival
Bhagavad Gita continuing in various regions in Indonesia with a variety of
packaging. Bhagavad Gita learnings being conducted in various places. Since
2014, various competitions about Bhagavad Gita held, started from Bali, the
Festival of the Bhagavad Gita. Subsequent with another big event that brings
successful MURI record for the massive reading Bhagavad Gita on 23rd November
2014 at the Pura Luhur Tanah Lot. This activity became more popular when the
Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia Drs. H. Lukman Hakim
Saifuddin present to opening of the 2nd Bhagavad Gita Festival 2015 held in
Denpasar Bali, 21st to 24th February 2015. in the end of 2015 there was also
Festival Bhagavad Gita in Krishna Arjuna on the field, Peninsula Island, ITDC
complex of Nusa Dua, on Thursday Purnama Kanem 26th November 2015 which
proposes the Gita into the formal school learning and procurement Bhagavad Gita
in every hotel room in Bali.
2.2 Young Generation, The Main
Target on Learning Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad
Gita is a universal Scripture which accepted by all classes and can be read by
everyone. Young generation should read the Bhagavad Gita from early age in
order to explore their talent for their successful life. Bhagavad Gita is very
difficult to accept especially by indigenous peoples because of the Indan's
looks like prejudice. Though Bhagavad Gita rightly belong to the Hindu and it
is not designated customs and culture where Hindu Grow and flourish. Bhagavad
Gita taught that these young children should be a leader, to live with high
values, discipline and learning as Arjuna in the Mahabharata who have received
the word of Bhagavad Gita of Sri Krishna.
Bhagavad
Gita closely related to the great vision of life. Bali has been make too much
workers. Whereas the Genetic of Balinese people are genetically superior.
Moreover, as the part of world Hindu community, Bali is the heir to a complete
knowledge and excel in the world of Veda. The main purpose of learning Bhagavad
Gita drive to erode pessimistic mental of Balinese young people and replace
them with optimism mentality, confidence, passion and has a great vision in
life. Read the Bhagavad Gita will awaken the inner strength, confidence,
intelligence and brilliant light. Bhagavad Gita is a very influential for
reading Dr. Ir. Sukarno and important world figures.
Youngsters
who still have an open minded, flexible and have great expectations in life are
those who should read the Bhagavad Gita. Bhagavad Gita Movement
Indonesia is not much targeting parents as learning targets, but only
straighten the wrong thoughts. However, instead of learning is inhibited by
parents who still adhered to the old dogma is wrong about the existence of the
Vedas and the ignorance of the importance of learning the Vedas.
However,
this movement within a few years has given birth to young children who are
eager and have a strong commitment on his life. In addition, the Bhagavad Gita
be a great solution for the problems that plagued the youth. Bali in recent
years, young people involved in the case of suicide, the consumption of drugs,
free sex up to a life far from the norm. So the Bhagavad Gita into a new stream
for the development of the moral character of young people and build a strong
mental.
2.3 Nation Character Building with
the Teaching of Bhagavad Gita
The Slogan Bhagavad Gita Revolution was born precedes the
Mental Revolution slogan promoted by President Ir. Joko Widodo. Bhagavad Gita
revolution would have a big goal namely to rebuild the nation's character with
the great teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. As a philosophy and divinity
scripture (Brahma Vidya), the Bhagavad Gita is full of moral and character teachings
that needed to confront the war in human lives. War in the sense of upholding
good values in life in order to achieve greatness.
Swami Vivekananda declared character is
a very important thing that must be built into civilization. Vivekananda said
that what you want is character, strengthens the will. Keep on practicing your
order and it will take you higher. This is the will of almighty. Is a character
that can cleave the walls difficulties seem like can’t be changed (Putra,
2016). Vivekananda gives the view that the character is not innate or genetic,
yet it’s the result of learning and practice. Character means the total quality
of a person's behavior. Characters often called integrity that shows the
overall quality of the great man. The tradition of Sanatana Dharma which is the
oldest tree of knowledge, wisdom crystallizes in the teachings of the Bhagavad
Gita is a universal scripture. Indonesia's founding father Dr. Ir. Sukarno who
was also an admirer of Swami Vivekananda realized the virtue of making the
Bhagavad Gita as one of the important book character building. Sukarno who
advised and helped translate the Bhagavad Gita into Indonesian who is a
national project. By him, although considered a Hindu literature, the Bhagavad
Gita become a source of national character building values. Some of the
important values indispensable as courage, honesty, fortitude, spirit,
balance, and humility is needed by a nation when building a prosperous society
upholds moral values, not just a religious society that ignores the good and public
order
Bhagavad Gita should be a major contribution to the
development of the nation's character. The moral values are taught such as
firmness, moral strength, leadership is needed to rebuild Nusantara’s great
civilization. Hindus should actively disseminate the universal values of
Bhagavad Gita in order to build the character of the nation and rebuild
civilization in the archipelago. Hindus who always had a nationalist spirit
must always active in supporting the advancement of the nation and the State
through the development of national character. Because character of the nation will
be a sustainable development in order to maintain good values in society.
2.4
Earthed Values
There are hundreds of virtues that can be studied in
Bhagavad Gita. Those values are crucial to the development of the society. From
hundreds of these values, the values of the great Bhagavad Gita, Upanishad’s
precious gems are trying earthed namely:
1.
Courage
(abhayaṁ)
The Bhagavad Gita teaches clearly about courage. In the
first chapters of Sri Krishna seeks to eliminate doubts Arjuna thus regain
courage that previously covered the confusion and fear. He should be in the
Dharma, but one side is facing his own family, grandfather and highly respected
teacher. Fear is often trumps ability of a person, Gita teaches him the first
spiritual quality that must be owned that is without fear. These spiritual
qualities are often called traits described in XVI.1
śrī-bhagavān
uvāca
abhayaṁ
sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ
dānaṁ damaś ca
yajñāś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam
Bhagavad Gita XVI.1
The Blessed Lord Said : Fearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in
knowledge and yoga of meditation; charity, control of the senses, sacrifices,
reading of the shastras, austerity, uprightness.
Courage will increase a
person's self-confidence, so that, Sri Krishna raised Arjuna’s courage and
confidence with this words, “ ...kaunteya
pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati- O, Son of Kunti, boldly let it be
known that My devote will never perish
(Bhagavad Gita IX.31). This sloka provide a guarantee of victory.
2.
Honesty / Truth (Satyam)
Honesty is a very important value. Putra (2016) states
honesty is the foundation of a good, advanced, prosperous, civilized and
respected society.
ahiṁsā satyam akrodhas tyāgaḥ
śāntir apaiśunam
dayā bhūteṣv aloluptvaṁ mārdavaṁ
hrīr acāpalam
non-violence, truth, absence
of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of columny, compassion, uncovetousness,
gentleness, modesty, absence of fickleness
Honesty
and truth must be hold as a strong value. Without truth all other values can’t
be enforced. Once there’s dishonesty and there is no trust then suspicion will
arise. Bhagavad Gita emphasizes the values of truth and honesty and always
being in the right side. Knowledge and ability must be dedicated for the truth
3.
Heroism
The nature of chivalry, heroism is very important for the
sake of dharma. Arjuna has properties perfect knight in defense of truth. While
Karna, who have similar abilities even surpass Arjuna perish, because knowledge
is not devoted to truth. True warrior will always be in the right. In order varnasrama dharma (social order and
spiritual level), the Knights have a very important task of protecting
civilization and make sure the laws of truth goes well
tejaḥ kṣamā dhṛtiḥ śaucam adrodo
nāti-mānitā
bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīm
abhijātasya bhārata
Bhagavad Gita XVI.3
Sublimity, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of hatred, ansence of
pride; these belong to one born of divine state, O Descendant of Bharata.
mayi sarvāṇi
karmāṇi sannyasyādhyātma-cetasā
nirāśīr nirmamo
bhūtvā yudhyasva vigata-jvaraḥ
Bhagavad Gita 3.30
Surrendering all actions to Me by maintaining your
consciousness in the Self, freed from longing and the sense of ‘mine’ fight,
delivered from the fever (of delusion)
Ksatria’s
nature is also reflected in the behavior in defense Dharma. So for the sake of civilization, the
nature of the Ksatria is very important to have.
4.
Excitement
Life full of spirit is the core teachings of the
Upanishads. Swami Vivekananda said that what is taught each sheet of the
Upanishads is a fiery spirit to do good things. Spiritual teachers like Swami
Vivekananda, Sripad Maharaj, Srimata Amritanandamayi has been a perfect example
of life vigorous. This spirit is what makes life more luminous and success
becomes easier.
Youngsters in high spirits indispensable in the
development of a country. Indonesia is in need of a vibrant generation,
benevolent and provide solutions for the country.
5.
Nonviolence
Later this world was served with violent. The war in
various forms that showing violence and atrocities continue to occur.
Similarly, women and children often become victims of violence. The Bhagavad
Gita teaches that a wise life without violence. Although the war a central
issue in the Mahabharata, but the war is not a war in the name of religion, in
the name of the State let alone a race, but the battle to uphold dharma over adharma. Gandhi became a real example of how to live without
violence.
6.
Generosity
The value of generosity is an important value amid the
individualistic and consumerism culture. Young children should be taught
generosity as a good quality for humans. Mutual aid by righteousness is a very
important thing. These properties are perfectly demonstrated by the Pandavas
and Karna who are very generous.
7.
Intellectuality (vidvān)
United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO 2012) recorded index of reading interest in Indonesia
reached 0,001. That means, in every 1,000 people there is only one person who
has interest in reading. The average of the book that read by Indonesian people
only zero to one book per year. This is not a good condition for Indonesia and
if left unchecked, the quality of Indonesian human resources will be left
behind. This condition also happens to Hindus in Indonesia. The tradition of
reading the Vedas rebuilt quickly it will increase public interest in reading
while building intellectual movement. The role of intellectuals is very
important indeed to transform society.
na buddhi-bhedṁ
janayed ajñānāṁkarma saṅginām
joṣayet
sarva-karmāṇi vidvān yuktaḥ samācaran
Bhagavad Gita III.26
Let not the wise man create a division in the minds
of the ignorant, who are attached to action. Established in Being, he should
direct them to perform all actions, duly engaging in them himself.
dravya-yajñās
tapo-yajñā yoga-yajñās tathāpare
svādhyāya-jñāna-yajñāś
ca yatayaḥ saṁśta-vratāḥ
Bhagavad Gita IV.28
Some likewise perform yajna by means of material
possessions, by austerity and by the practice
of Yoga, while ather aspirants of rigid vows offer as yajna their scriptural learning nad knowledge
Brahma yajna not yet become prominent yajna for the
community. But actually this holy sacrifice worth very noble at the same time and
will affect the quality of human resources.
8.
Brahmacarya
Brahmacarya, live holy and sexual abstinence should be taught to the
young people who live with the guidance of the wrong civilizations. The
civilization is like a beautiful woman with a gold veil, a civilization that
exploits the human desire and pleasure and kill virtues. Abstinence from sexual
intercourse is very important to have Teja
(light) and the spiritual strength in Brahmacari
stages. In accordance with the Vedic literature, this phase lasts up to 25
years and after entering Grhasta then
sexual relations can be justified by certain rules.
Sexual relationship without rules and the birth of
unwanted children has been destructive to the society. Cases of neglects and
violence against women and children occurs because it begins with a free
relationship without rules. Catur Asrama
will be made when young people get the right perspective on life that is true
and exercised discipline brahmacarya.
A number of other values such as poise, balance,
determination also kept grounded for good living and upholding the Vedic
civilization.
2.5
Challenges and Barriers
Not easy to teach Bhagavad Gita amid the wrong
civilization today. In Bali the teaching of Bhagavad Gita the challenge comes
from a Brahmin family clans and associations of people with similar Anti-India
thinking and convey reasons of fear erosion of Balinese culture with the
culture of India. Additionally the society still attached to the concept that
ordinary people and young generation should not studied Veda was another
obstacles. However, because of the many problems facing Bali, This Scripture became
a special requirement.
Teaching Bhagavad Gita also great challenges amid the
wrong civilization, hedonism lifestyle and consumerism. Youngsters who live
free, wild and without regard to the great value were difficult to accept the touch
Bhagavad Gita. Many values in society have been destroyed and replaced with a
variety of instant desires rewinding machine lifestyle.
Anti-India sentiment as the impact of foreign policy of
Indonesia in Suharto era who prefer Pakistan when India-Pakistan conflict and
the motion of de-sukarniosation still can be feels. Bhagavad Gita was connoted
comes from India and is a product of India. The presumption looks like too
India still feels as the impact of religious politics ever run by the
government.
III CLOSING
Bhagavad Gita Revolution in Indonesia has been running
back in an effort to rebuild the Vedic civilization in Nusantara. The Chanting
of Bhagavad Gita has been echoed from Bali, the island of Gods, Brahma Island
which is a jewel of the world. The main purpose of reteach Bhagavad Gita is to
inculcate character of excellence in order to build the nation's character. The
tradition of reading the Vedas that have long disappeared resurrected. However,
the movement got challenged and tremendous challenge. The scripture became a
necessity amid the waning of values in society and the need to build national
character. The Bhagavad Gita teaches values of courage, truth, honesty,
heroism, fortitude, spirit, without violence and hundreds of other gems is the
answer to the declining value of truth in society amid incorrect civilization guidance.
Bhagavad Gita for now felt even more important to learn and hold on to other
than age.
References
The
Song of God : Bhagavad-gita, translated by Swami Prabhavananda and Christopher
Isherwood, New American Library, New York, 1972.
The
Bhagavad Gita, translated by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, Mata Amritanandamayi
Mission Trust, Kerala Amritapuri, 2012.
The
Life Of Swami Vivekananda, by His Eastern and Western Disciples, Advaita
Ashrama, Kolkata, 2012.
Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu
(nectar of devotion), translated by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Bhaktivedanta
Book Trust, New York, 1970.
Membangun
Karakter dengan keutamaan Bhagawad Gita, by Ngakan Putu Putra, Media Hindu,
2016.
[1]
Ni Kadek Surpi Aryadharma, M.Fil.H, Journalist, Lecturer, Researcher, Bhagavad
Gita Preacher, Head of Bhagavad Gita Movement in Indonesia (https://www.facebook.com/GerakanBhagavadGitaIndonesi/)
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