Kejawèn

Kejawèn or Kebatinan is an Javanese spiritual tradition primarily in Indonesia, encompassing a diverse range of beliefs and practices. It is rooted in the historical syncretic fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, and traditional Javanese animism.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Kejawèn is often associated with the mystical, and some followers consider it to be part of a broader Indonesian mysticism tradition. The term "kebatinan" is being used interchangeably with kejawèn, although they are not exactly the same: Kebatinan is the inner-directed, introvertive tendency of Javanese spiritual culture, while Kejawèn is the outer-directed, extrovertive tendency.

Beliefs and Practices[edit | edit source]

Kejawèn encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices, which may include the belief in the supreme being, Ratu Adil and Satrio Piningit, the spiritual unity of the universe, the interplay between the physical and spiritual world, and the belief in the power of healing and divination.

Historical Development[edit | edit source]

The historical development of Kejawèn is closely related to the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism in the Indonesian archipelago, the subsequent introduction of Islam, and the reaction of the Javanese culture to these influences.

Modern Kejawèn[edit | edit source]

In modern times, Kejawèn has been influenced by various factors, including the Indonesian National Awakening, the Indonesian mass killings of 1965–66, and the subsequent New Order regime.