When A Javanese Lost His Javanism - A Problem

in Cross Culture2 years ago

I write this post because I am from Java. I would like to share how Javanese people have lost the value of the Javanese principle of life. I say Javanism to simplify.
There are many principles of life in Javanese culture. Those principles are universally accepted when they are applied to all ethnic groups and nations. In the value of the principles, there are peace and wisdom that bring harmony in social life.
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Image source langgar.co wong jowo ilang jowone

Unfortunately, the principles of Javanese life are not taught in schools and universities. They are generated from mouth to mouth of the ancestors. Finally, the principles of Javanese life are degenerated.
What happened when Javanese people lost their Javanism? In Javanese terms, it is said " Wong Jowo ilang jowone". Our ancestors have warned us of the degeneration of the principles of Javanese life. There will be disharmony in social life.

What are the principles of life in Javanese culture?

  • Nerimo ing pandum
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Source https://travel.kompas.com/read/2014/08/28/142400927
/Sultan.Abdi.Dalem.Wajib.Lestarikan.Budaya.Yogyakarta
This is an attitude of accepting what is obtained in life.This attitude of acceptance sometimes contradicts the mindset of most people. The Javanese will accept their destiny. When he was born into a poor family, then received treatment as a poor person by others , he should accept it. Motivators are often faced with this Javanese philosophy. The attitude of accepting what they earn in their lives sometimes makes Javanese people seem slow and anti-progress.

This attitude is very difficult to understand. However, this attitude brought the Javanese to a high position in society and even in their careers. Maybe you need to know that, all Indonesian presidents are Javanese. Many of the military leaders are Javanese.
A Javanese man will accept what he is. When he becomes a cleaning service man, he will do the job with high responsibility. Greediness is the opposite of this principle. When Javanese people leave this principle, there will be a big problem. When they reach high positions in their careers, too many Javanese leaders in Indonesia abandon this principle.They commit corruption. They have lost the principle of Javanese life after they reach the highest position. This is an irony. " Wong Jowo ilang jowone".

  • Sabar

Sabar means patient. The principle of life for Javanese that is difficult to practice is being patient. Javanese people should be patient in all things. They should be patient in times of hardship in life. They are not in a hurry to respond to information. By being patient, the mind will feel calm. In the state of calmness, people are able to take a right decision in facing problems.

  • Sugih tanpa bandha

Wealth is not about the possession of properties. Richness is from the heart. Javanese people should stand by themselves. When they do not depend on others to fulfill their basic life needs, they will feel enough. True wealth is not made up of properties, money, life stocks, and other physical wealth. Wealth comes from the heart. The abundance of properties will not satisfy people's hearts because the people's hearts are covered with greediness. That is why wealth is a true property in the heart.

  • Urip mung mampir ngombe (Life is just a time to drink)

Life is short. It is just a time to drink. Everyone will die. How long will people live? 100 years? It is a short time in Javanese philosophy. Javanese people view life simply. Riches and high achievements are useless when they die.

So they don't make life their goal. Javanese religiosity teaches that life after death is eternal life. The good that is done while living will give the goodness of life after death.

  • Mikul dhuwur mendhem jero

It means lifting it high and burying it deeply. This is a philosophy that appreciates our ancestors. Javanese people should talk about things positively in front of public about their ancestors, ethnicity, and groups. It is not a show off, but it is a kind of appreciation. Bury deeply means that Javanese people should cover the bad things about their ancestors, ethnicity, groups, and nation. Humiliating the ancestors in public is prohibited. It is different from discussion for academic purposes when people talk about the bad deeds of their ancestors. Digging for information in the realm of research and science is allowed. What is prohibited is exposing bad deeds in front of the public. This attitude will create harmony in society.

Javanese people who live in other countries should also respect the ancestors, traditions, leaders and culture of the country. It is the application of "mikul dhuwur mendhen jero". If there is a Javanese who leave the value, he has left the Javanese philosophy. For an example, a Javanese who live in USA, he should respect the cultures, customs and leaders in the land where they live.

  • Ngluruk tanpo bolo menang tanpo ngasorake

It means the Javanese people will attack without troops and win without humiliation. In diplomatic terms this is called a win-win solution.
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https://www.hipwee.com/travel/orang-jawa-memang-terkenal-percaya-dengan-8-mitos-unik-ini-ada-yang-masih-kamu-percaya/

These days, they are abandoned by young people in Java. Many old Javanese worry about this situation. Education models that do not absord Javanese philosophy have contributed to the degeneration of Javanese philosophy.

Badly, some young people who graduate from high school bring more conflict to Javanese society by bringing values that do not match with Javanese culture. Some Javanese students from Western countries bring liberalism to their society, while others from the Middle East and Arabic countries bring conservatism to their practice of the Islamic religion.

The two educated people were not wise in applying their knowledge to the Javanese. Educated people who are supposed to bring good things often create cultural conflicts which eventually lead to physical conflicts. This is when the Javanese lost their Javanism.

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