IJoReSH: Indonesian Journal of Religion, Spirituality, and Humanity

A spirituality of compassion as a common good in times of God’s absence?

Maike Maria Domsel — 2024-06-28

Since Christian values have lost their monopoly position in postmodern European societies, a diversity of world views has developed. This has led to an understanding of a common set of values becoming a challenge, including in the school sector. Religious education, in particular, has the important task of supporting pupils in dealing with the diversity mentioned above responsibly. In the face of crises, the challenge of maintaining a constructive and respectful social dialogue becomes particularly relevant. Thus, the question emerges concerning whether and how a common spirituality can be built regarding leadership in secondary education. This study investigates whether the guiding principles of compassion and comparative theology suit the challenges of the aforementioned spiritual heterogeneity. Its focus lies in the common goal of overcoming global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and warlike violence, to achieve a shared responsibility for the planet. This is exemplified through the practical implementation of the Erasmus+ project “yEUr Water – Row on it! Care for it!”, which aims to raise awareness of water preservation within schools across several European countries. It is found that the guiding principle of compassion, along with comparative theology, proves crucial in navigating spiritual heterogeneity, recognizing diverse beliefs, fostering unity, and acknowledging differences within worldviews.

Tibetan Buddhism: artistic, literary, and social legacy

Mohamad Zreik — 2024-06-29

Since the 7th century, Tibetan culture and society have been profoundly influenced by Buddhism. This paper aims to explore how Buddhism has shaped Tibetan aesthetics, music, literature, and social structures and to understand its enduring role in Tibetan identity and history. Employing a qualitative research methodology that includes historical analysis, textual interpretation, and ethnographic studies, the paper investigates the development of a unique Tibetan aesthetic tradition, the establishment of monasteries and the monastic system, and the translation and creation of Buddhist texts. Findings reveal that Buddhism has significantly impacted Tibetan art by fostering the creation of intricate religious art forms like thangkas and mandalas, which are central to Tibetan Buddhist practice and reflect a profound spiritual connection between art and religion. The influence of Buddhism on Tibetan literature is evident in the rich body of original, translated, and adapted texts that have shaped Tibetan literary culture and transmitted Buddhist values and philosophies. Furthermore, Buddhism's centrality in Tibetan society is underscored by the establishment of monasteries and the monastic system, which have been pivotal in preserving Tibetan heritage and culture, providing essential services, and acting as beacons of learning and compassion within the community. The paper recommends further research into the specific ways Buddhist philosophy has influenced Tibetan art and music, the impact of various Buddhist canonical texts on Tibetan literature, and the continuing influence of Buddhism on modern Tibetan society.

Happiness, virtue and wisdom: elements of ancient Greek philosophy in Islamic advice literature

Abdessamad Belhaj — 2024-06-29

This essay examines the profound influence of ancient Greek philosophy on Islamic advice literature, particularly in political ethics and governance. It aims to trace the integration of Greek philosophical ideas into Islamic advice literature, focusing on four key areas: Plato's theory of happiness, Aristotle's virtue ethics, the concept of "the three governances," and the ideal ruler-advisor relationship. Employing a meticulous analysis of a dozen Islamic sources from the tenth to the fifteenth centuries, it uncovers the extent of Greek thought's impact. Findings reveal that Islamic political elites, including philosophers, secretaries, religious scholars, and historians, adopted and adapted Greek philosophical theories to align with Islamic political goals and strategies. Plato's notions of happiness through just rule and the pursuit of knowledge and justice are echoed in the works of Islamic luminaries. Aristotle's virtue ethics, emphasizing prudence, temperance, courage, and justice, are seamlessly woven into Islamic governance literature. The concept of "the three governances" reflects Aristotelian governance principles, while Greek gnomology is used to validate political concepts especially the ideal ruler’s wisdom, showcasing the rhetorical power of invoking Greek authorities. The study concludes that Greek elements were frequently combined with Arabic, Persian, and other influences in Islamic advice literature, suggesting caution in interpreting Islamic political ethics through an exclusive lens. The research underscores the convergence of cross-cultural ideas and the Islamization of Greek philosophy to support political demands within a religious framework.

Socialisation and character education in the Muslim world: exploring the role, impact, and necessity of indoctrination

Safwaan Zamakda Allison — 2024-06-28

This investigation seeks to understand the importance of imparting character education to students across the educational spectrum. It examines the intricate nexus lying between shared boundaries that form the provision of education, socialisation, and indoctrination. It delves into the multifaceted elements of character education, emphasising the transmission of moral, social, religious, and ethical values. By analysing the role of educators as key influencers, the research underscores the challenges in fostering positive characteristics amidst the modern digital landscape and diverse cultural contexts, particularly in the Muslim world. The study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, utilising a narrative literature review to understand the subjective aspects of morality and social values and appreciate the importance of character education within religious and secular frameworks. There is no doubt that education has a profound impact on students, especially in their formative years, shaping them into moral, well-behaved, and intelligent members of society. It should equip students with the knowledge and character to thrive as contributing citizens, both locally and globally, in the digital age. This study found that teachers are somewhat reluctant to be accused of ‘indoctrination’, but this is inherently an integral element of education, and should therefore be embraced, acknowledged, and used for good: instilling critical thinking, along with a moral compass and the values needed to be upstanding and successful members of society.

The construction of ethnoreligious identity among Muslims and Christians in Rote Ndao Regency, Indonesia

Daud Pandie — 2024-06-28

There has been much research on the violent conflict in interactions between ethnic and religious communities in Indonesia. However, there is a noticeable gap in research focusing on how people can live harmoniously across these divides. This paper aims to explore the construction of ethnoreligious identity in Christian-Islamic encounters in Rote Ndao Regency, Indonesia. The fundamental question underlying this research is how the socio-historical and cultural backdrop contributes to forming 'Rote Islam' as an ethnoreligious identity and how processes of interaction, negotiation, and integration shape social interactions between Christians and Muslims. The research employs an ethnographic and phenomenological approach incorporating observations, interviews, participation, and literature studies to achieve this. The findings indicate that as an ethnoreligious identity, ‘Rote Islam’ is constructed from a process of interaction and social practice (collaborative) that has gone beyond religious and cultural boundaries. Examples of these practices include the gifting of land, the transformation of kinship through marriage, the transfer of technology, the tradition of kissing noses, the Kebalai dance, the celebration of religious holidays, and the identification of Leo, all of which illustrate the processes described in this study.