Memayu Hayuning Bawana: A Javanese Philosophy of Living with Implications for Music Education

Abstract

Music educators often require their students to be disciplined, but harmful discipline may lead to behavioral problems, educational weariness, rebellious attitude, and traumatic experiences. This chapter aims to explore the Javanese philosophy of life—memayu hayuning bawana—which aspires to safety, happiness, and world peace by preserving and maintaining harmony. This philosophy can be expressed in four living principles: steadfastness (prihatin), full acceptance of circumstance (nrimo), tolerance (tepa slira), and sel essness (tresno). It is applied not only in the tolerant culture, with hopes that it may help avoid con ict and encourage peace, but also in traditional gamelan teaching. Further study and embodiment of this philosophy may be necessary for contemporary music education worldwide, especially in Asia. By applying this Javanese philosophy (memayu hayuning bawana), music educators may develop broader and more positive teaching skills. As educators interact closely with students, music educators’ in uence on students is unequivocal.