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Strong imprints of Indian culture in various forms or modes of expressions are significantly found in Java. Sanskrit-Old Javanese texts, amongst those texts and traditions, were produced in the island in the periods between 9th to 15th cen. A.D. It covers various genres and subjects enriching indigenous culture in the archipelago. Tutur or tattva texts were one genre of them recorded the dynamic of Javanese intellectuals or poet-sages in pursuing the truth; they reveal metaphysical or theological aspects of Brahmanism, Saivism, Buddhism, Tantrism, Samkhya, Yoga, etc. This paper attempts to study ideas behind the Hindi transliteration and translation of those texts. This is a library reserach, the data were collected from Hindi translation of those texts. This attempt is of high scientific and cultural values as Indian scholars paid attention to Indian culture spreading in foreign lands. With this attempt Indian intellectuals/scholars/students got acquainted with their own culture flourished outside India in different forms, since the works were written and produced in Devanagari script and Hindi language. It creates nuances of being Indian. It can widen their understanding on philosophical point of view, religious elements, and culture of Java, that unity in diversity does not only exist in native land but also abroad.
Advancement in science and technology that has been achieved by human beings does not necessarily imply they are freed from environmental problems. Buddhism since the very be-ginning has been in harmony with nature; the Buddha was fond of nature; however, it is very little its sources speak about the interconnection between human and environment. The ques-tion of the significance of cultural ecology comes into prominent in these days as there has been increasing environmental problems happen. Borobudur Buddhist temple in Central Java contains some ideas or elements that can be used to cope with the problems mentioned. Inter-estingly, the whole body of the monument was inspired by the teachings of the Buddha and Buddhism in which the Causal Law having impetus in the theory dependent-origination (Pratyasamutpada) is reflected clearly in the reliefs of Mahakarmavibangga in Kamadhatu base level. For a better understanding of this law, the connection with cosmology in Maha-yana Buddhism is discussed in brief. It is found that there are various natural elements were depicted and crafted by the artists in a high standard of art as the manifestations of the Bud-dha’s teachings. Amongst the natural elements depicted here, tree, plant, or forest are domi-nant elements, which appear almost in all reliefs either in the main walls or balustrade. The relatedness amongst the elements is shown beautifully in complex relationship amongst them, and this has moral, aesthetical, spiritual, and ecological messages that need to be known for spiritual ascendance. When the interaction amongst them should be accomplished it is re-quired an ethical principle as how to maintain harmony with those natural elements, animals and human beings for a better world order and happy life.
Dang Hyang Astapaka and his cultural geography in spreading Vajrayana Buddhism in medieval Bali
(2016)
The sway of Hinduism and Buddhism in Indonesia archipelago had imprinted deep cultural heritages in various modes. The role of holy persons and kings were obvious in the spread of these religious and philosophical traditions. Dang Hyang Asatapaka, a Buddhist priest from East Java had travelled to Bali in spreading Vajrayana sect of Mahayana Buddhist in 1430. He came to Bali as the ruler of Bali invited him to officiate Homa Yajna together with his uncle Dang Hyang Nirartha, who had stayed earlier in Bali. Impressed with deep knowledge and spiritual acumen of him, the ruler Waturenggong King appointed him as a purohito (palace priest), whose jobs were to give spiritual consultation and political advisor in ruling the country. During his life times in Bali, he travelled from one place to another spreading Vajrayana sect of Buddhism. Lastly he settled in Budakeling village in East Bali where he built gerya (house) and temples for worship and meditation. From here he, his descents, and followers spread the Vajrayana to all over Bali and Lombok. He left us with Vajrayana sect of Buddhism, which was assimilated with Saivism. Dang Hyang Astapaka and his uncle Dang Hyang Nirartha were the advocators of Saiva-Buddha cult in Bali backed up by the rulers.
