Sunda Wiwitan, A Religious Belief System of Traditional Sundanese

Sunda Wiwitan

Sunda Wiwitan is a religious belief system of traditional Sundanese. It venerates the power of nature and the spirit of ancestors (animism and dynamism).
The followers of this belief system can be found in some villages in western Java, such as Kanekes, Lebak, Banten; Ciptagelar Kasepuhan Banten Kidul, Cisolok, Sukabumi; Kampung Naga; and Cigugur, Kuningan Regency. In Carita Parahyangan this faith is called Jatisunda. Its practitioners assert that Sunda Wiwitan has been part of their way of life since ancient times, before the arrival of Hinduism and Islam.
The sacred book of Sunda Wiwitan is called Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian, it is a didactic text of religious and moral guidance, rules and lessons. The text is identified as Kropak 630 by National Library of Indonesia. According to a kokolot of Cikeusik village, the people of Kanekes aren't adherents of Hindu or Buddhist faiths; they follow an animistic system of belief that venerates and worships the spirits of ancestors. However, over the course of time Sunda Wiwitan was influenced by and incorporated Hindu, and to some extent, Islamic elements.
The highest spiritual power in Sunda Wiwitan is Sang Hyang Kersa or Nu Ngersakeun ("He Who has the Will"). This supreme being is also referred to with several names or divine titles, such as Batara Tunggal ("The One"), Batara Jagat ("Ruler of Universe"), and Batara Seda Niskala ("The Unseen"). Sang Hyang Kersa resides in the highest and the most sacred realm called Buana Nyungcung (Sundanese, lit: "Pointy Realm"). The Hindu gods (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Indra, Yama, an so on) are considered subordinates of Sang Hyang Kersa.
Between Buana Nyungcung and Buana Panca Tengah (earth) there are 18 layers of realms arranged in decreasing order of sacredness from top to down. The uppermost of these heavenly realms is called Bumi Suci Alam Padang or according to Kropak 630 (Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian) called Alam Kahyangan or Mandala Hyang. This 2nd highest realm is the abode of Nyi Pohaci Sanghyang Asri and Sunan Ambu.
Sang Hyang Kersa created seven bataras in Sasaka Pusaka Buana. The oldest of these bataras is called Batara Cikal and is considered the ancestor of the Kanekes people. Other bataras ruled various locations in Sunda lands.
The value system of Sunda Wiwitan is based on written and unwritten norms. The written norms are rules and taboos that govern the way of life of adherents, while the unwritten norms are internal and individual understandings of the faith.
Sunda Wiwitan basic and principle concepts based on two things; Cara Ciri Manusia and Cara Ciri Bangsa. These two pinciples are mentioned by Sunda Wiwitan elders, yet aren't explicitly mentioned in the Siksa Kanda-ng Karesian, the sacred text of Sunda Wiwitan.
The philosophy and value system emphasizes the internal or spiritual elements of human life, indicating that humans need spiritual guidance and wisdom in their life.
However, to honor sacred places and follow certain traditions in rice farming, Sunda Wiwitan elaborated many restrictions and taboos. The most numerous taboos (called Buyut by Kanekes people) are applied to those living within the most sacred place on earthâ€"the people of Baduy Dalam that inhabit Sasaka Pusaka Buana (Sacred Place on Earth).
In Sunda Wiwitan tradition, prayer and ritual is performed through songs and chant of pantun Sunda and kidung dances. These ritual practices can be observed during the rice harvest ceremony and the annual new year festival called Seren Taun. These customary ceremonies are still performed annually by the more traditional Sundanese communities in Kanekes, Lebak, Banten; Ciptagelar Kasepuhan Banten Kidul, Cisolok, Sukabumi; Kampung Naga; and Cigugur, Kuningan.
Although modern Sundanese people may practice Islam or adhere to other faiths, influences and value systems, certain elements of traditional customs, beliefs, and culture of Sunda Wiwitan still survive into contemporary times. In terms of influence on their social values and cultural mores, Sundanese people have never abandoned traditional Sundanese beliefs.

Related Sites for Sunda Wiwitan

• sunda wiwitan | wiwitan.org read Sunda Wiwitan
• Sunda Wiwitan - Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, ensiklopedia bebas read Sunda Wiwitan
• Sunda Wiwitan | Facebook read Sunda Wiwitan
• sunda wiwitan read Sunda Wiwitan