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Jaya Suprana: Searching for Indonesia's philosophy
(JP/Emanuel Dapa Loka)Asked about his greatest concern for the nation today, Jaya Suprana replied: âWe only lack an appreciation of what we own
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(JP/Emanuel Dapa Loka) (JP/Emanuel Dapa Loka)
(JP/Emanuel Dapa Loka)
Asked about his greatest concern for the nation today, Jaya Suprana replied: 'We only lack an appreciation of what we own. This attitude makes me feel anxious.'
He observed that the nation at all levels appreciated something from the outside far more than being proud of local values.
'It seems as if all things of external origin, especially the West, are superior to our own, but we've got great endowments and we can be even greater,' said the founder and proprietor of the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) in Jakarta recently.
Citing philosophy as an example, he described the cultures of Sumba in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and other ethnic groups in Indonesia as being steeped in high philosophical values as yet unrecognized as science by western academic norms. Referring to jamu (herbal medicine), he said: 'Jamu has its science, but why should that have to be proven by western science?'
He also mentioned the tradition of democracy as originating in America rather than Indonesia. 'We imitate it because we think it's remarkable, but we should find an Indonesian political formulation. Why should we follow that of America? We can mull over Indonesia's own concept,' said Jaya.
When he opened a compendium of philosophies, he failed to find Indonesia while many other nations were included. According to him this was because Indonesians ignored their own philosophies. 'Have you learned the works of Javanese poet Ronggowarsito? Have you been taught Sumba's philosophy? They envisage the nation's identity and we should discover it,' he pointed out.
Three years ago he met Franz Magnis-Suseno SJ ' an Indonesian citizen of German descent seen by Jaya as being deeply imbued with Indonesian character for having a very good command of Indonesian culture. 'Romo [Father] Magnis turned out to share my concerns, but his anxiety is in terms of science. I'm just a layman absorbed in thought,' revealed Jaya.
His meetings with Magnis and other philosophers from STF Driyarkara (philosophical college) in Jakarta led to the idea to organize a symposium on Indonesian philosophies in September 2013 in the city. This program is meant to ascertain Indonesia's philosophical profile.
The organizing committee will invite representatives from all over Indonesia as well as experts on Indonesia from Paris, Leiden, Amsterdam, Sydney and other countries.
The plan to hold the philosophical symposium has prompted Jaya to be introspective, questioning his past decision to study music in Germany. 'I was then still trapped in the belief that high culture was of foreign origin,' he admitted.
Jaya is a 1970 pianoforte graduate of Musik Hochschule (School of Music), Muenster, Germany, and the first Asian in Germany to have been named music school principal. His musical work has been performed in Germany and in 15 other countries besides being aired on radio and TV. His compilation was released by the Jakarta Musical Education Foundation on the album, The Complete Works of Jaya Suprana.
The reason for his persistent attempt to present Indonesia's philosophical configuration is the necessity to determine and develop the nation's identity in order to have a strong footing.
'In this globalized era, we'll be finished unless we maintain nationalism. We may become Japanese, Koreans, Germans, Americans. How can this be? We can only be Indonesians with our Indonesian character,' he remarked.
With Indonesia's diverse ethnic groups and cultures, the philosophical basis of Indonesia is Bhineka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), as the strength of the nation.
'We need to come up with an identity and proclaim it. Sukarno [Indonesia's first president] proclaimed Indonesia's sovereignty, why shouldn't Romo Magnis and I proclaim Indonesia's philosophy?' he went on.
Differences, widely seen as a cause of conflict and a weak point, constitute strength for Jaya. His most important key word in managing differences is understanding, apart from compassion. People will reach mutual understanding when they are enlightened, which is the domain of philosophy.
The symposium's Steering Committee will be under STF Driyarkara with Romo Setyo Wibowo SJ as the coordinator. Several entrepreneurs have expressed their interest in supporting it. The Education and Culture Ministry will also be a major participant in the program.
'Each of the ethnic groups in Indonesia has literary work. Behind this work are great philosophies. If these high values are combined, they form a crown on top, which is Indonesia,' said Jaya, who was born in Denpasar, Bali on Jan. 27, 1949. Jaya is also known as a composer, writer, public speaker, TV presenter, cartoonist and philanthropist.
Despite being occasionally subjected to ridicule, Jaya keeps hoping that the nation will be capable of conducting inner exploration, making proper discoveries, developing its own identity and taking pride in it. For Jaya though, the question remains: how long will we just be followers of other nations?
