www.mastoni.com
VESTIGES OF BUDDHIST JAVA
STILL SURVIVE IN TRADITIONAL DANCE
Mastoni
| Buddhism flourished in Central Java during
the 8th and the 9th centuries. It is sometimes
difficult to remember that Moslem Java was
at one time a great centre of Buddhism. Dharma Kirti, located near Borobudur, was a prominent seat of learning that was attended by monks from all over Asia. Its importance and stature were mentioned in the writings of a Buddhist monk of the period, and its continued influence should not be overlooked. Buddhism, as it was practiced at Borobudur, was seminal in the evolution of art, dance and culture in Java. To completely understand the continuity that links medieval Java to the Java of today, one should explore the world of Javanese traditional dance. Bedaya is a refined dance emphasizing emotional control and is executed while the soul is at its highest level of consciousness. It is thought that the emotions and the mind stop entirely during this advanced spiritual state. This is similar to the concept of Satori in Zen Buddhism. This concept is also apparent in the architecture of Borobudur. Satori in Zen Buddhism holds that self-constraint and silent meditation can create a sudden purifying state of enlightenment. By contrast, these elements are not found in Javanese art, which does not acknowledge the concept of sudden enlightenment. Buddhism in the Javanese dance and art is explored through a steady process of embracing a philosophy that teaches a tranquil and eternal life. In traditional Javanese dance, the movements are introverted. Movement is directed towards the interior of the body. The entire body is connected by a steady stream of energy. The great Javanese choreographer, Sardono, wrote: "Every detail of movement is executed with such intensity that it must be separated from any desire to make it ornamental or decorative". These concepts reflect awareness that the body itself is a microcosm. Each atom of the body is given equal life and respect and must not be subordinated to any other part. In this universe that is our body, the eyes are said to be the sun and a star, our breath is the air which fills the skies, our veins and arteries are the rivers, and our hair is the foliage. In the Gamelan musical instruments, the terms gulu (throat), and dhådhå (chest) are the names of the tones. The beating of the kêtêg (heart) is the word used for the basic pulse of the music. Dancing should be a kind of meditation. It must be separated from all emotion so that it may achieve pure awareness. One's countenance should be expressionless so that the peaceful soul in all its various forms of character will manifest itself without the imposition of the self. This will make of the dancer the best possible vehicle for the presentation of the story and performance. Javanese dance eventually became a unique synthesis of various religions and philosophies that are still present in Java today. |
