...that I find interesting is "Memayu hayuning bawana".
"Serve the harmony of the world."
Harmony is crucial in traditional Indonesian thought. The importance of maintaining a balance internally and externally, and between the two underlies their culture. Its quite a contrast from the Abrahamic idea of a world provided for mankind, which stands in dominance over it. Interestingly enough, the all-pervasive concept of ma'at in ancient Egypt was also one of equilibrium and balance. I think we would have a very different world if we valued harmony more.
(Originally posted on my Syntropy and Synergy blog on 18 March, 2009)
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