tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047080913606410024.post2381484046400888100..comments2023-08-25T03:21:18.533+08:00Comments on Silat Melayu The Blog: Spiritual Authenticity: An introductionMohd Nadzrin Wahabhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01688305454146125158noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047080913606410024.post-73275162734963453532008-09-19T10:17:00.000+08:002008-09-19T10:17:00.000+08:00Salam hormat,You hit the nail right on its head. G...Salam hormat,<BR/><BR/>You hit the nail right on its head. Gibberish, it's not. What's really bothering me is the extinction (inevitable) of Silat Melayu, as different aspects of its tradition begin to fade away, and instead of being replaced with something just as good or better, is not being replaced at all.<BR/><BR/>Just sad.<BR/><BR/>Salam persilatan,Mohd Nadzrin Wahabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688305454146125158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047080913606410024.post-7059118813529875422008-09-17T22:49:00.000+08:002008-09-17T22:49:00.000+08:00Salam again my bro. (The honour and the 'missing t...Salam again my bro. (The honour and the 'missing this blog feeling' is totally mine)<BR/><BR/>Even my close silat friends found me difficult and tightlipped - to talk about 'verification' (tashih) or 'permission' for a practitioner <BR/>to (become the new Guru/Master to) carry on his work especially when the issue is interlinked to lineage and spiritual <BR/>matters. <BR/><BR/>To talk about lineage alone will definitely conquer so much space in here. Spiritual? Even 'longer'<BR/><BR/>So, may I avoid the spiritual and validated lineage subjects for now? Please...<BR/><BR/>But I think I'm quite clear about the possibility of introducing a different version after becoming the new master. It's his prerogative to introduce or improvise the technique during his<BR/>time and tenure as a Guru.<BR/><BR/><I>(I think this is about becoming the new 'Guru' or one of the authorized representatives of the 'Guru' - in Abjad's case we called them 'Badal'?)</I><BR/><BR/>In GENERAL, to ascertain the authenticity of the lineage (sanad) besides than looking or have the guts of asking the Guru to seek proof, practitioners must first know what sort of Master and the kind of Martial Arts he/she is looking for. (not limited to the following) <BR/><BR/><I>(Not all Master is 'really qualified' to be called Master - some are self-proclaimed and not verified or authorised or permitted but 'claims that they have been given permission' (so far I've never fallen for this 'trick') </I><BR/><BR/>1. Observe certain good qualities, traits and specificiations of the Master being sought, (KPI : 30%)<BR/><BR/>2. What are the core objectives of learning such Martial Art/Silat? Self-Defence? Sports? Healthy Lifestyle? Dakwah? etc, (KPI : 30%)<BR/><BR/>3. How does learning the martial arts/silat affects the practitioner personally - is he/she changing for the better or worse? In life, in religious practice etc.(KPI : 40%)<BR/><BR/>Permission/Authorization; on the other hand; is usually 'AWARDED' by the Master - in many cases NOT INHERITED - meaning - being the heirs to the father who happens to be the Master at the same time shall not automatically qualifies the son/daughter to carry out the legacy - UNLESS THE MASTER SAYS OTHERWISE (in his capacity as a 'Master' NOT as a 'Father' - otherwise - it is not an accurate practice - I'm not saying that it's wrong but depending on situation being encountered)<BR/><BR/>Why? It defies the principle of 'spreading the word/knowledge freely' when the legacy is restricted only to the family line. <I>(Spock says : It's not logic)<BR/><BR/>(Haha- We're also not talking about Harry Porter's - heir to the Slytherine that can practice magic because they are from the 'pure blood family line' and the 'muggles' can not - it's discrimination, nepotisme and cronisme..you name it, we got it. But we're talking something similar to the 'Dragon Warrior' Po - where the 'award' is not given to the 'senior member' but is given by prerogative of the Master)</I><BR/><BR/>This is one of many reasons that eventually led to many conflicts when the heir started claiming the legacy after their father's death especially in the event of there is no written or oral will. So how to solve this issue? (some spiritual signs? or an EGM among the committee members)<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, conflicts may also arise when a practitioner felt that he is 'much senior' or 'much more experienced' or much more 'skillful' (or 'I was born first') than the 'junior' being selected by the Master. <BR/><BR/>So once the 'dissatisfied senior' questioned the Guru's selection (an act of insubordination - <I>derhaka</I>), he will usually create a new faction (despite from the validated lineage) <I>(Darth Vader : Welcome to the Dark Side of the Force --- 'Ngeri!')</I><BR/>------------------------<BR/>Formally speaking, Permission is granted via special ceremonies in the presence of the students. Usually via means of awarding 'selimpang' (belt) of the highest order, seal, certain weapon, cert or some other symbolic gifts etc. <BR/><BR/>The Master will then proclaim the practitioner as his or one of his authorized representatives or even one of the new Guru. Those who are not present are asked to disseminate the info. <BR/><BR/>The significance of such ceremonies are very clear - so that there will not be any future conflicts.<BR/><BR/>Mind you, I'm not touching on 'taking into account spiritual elements for selection criterion and the validity of lineage' - due to 'certain constraint'...<BR/><BR/>Back to the traditional knowledge - I must agree with you that it should basically related to the place of origin.<BR/><BR/>But nowadays, it's like branding (not 'deemed as'). - ie. Branding 'Silat' as 'Malay Legacy', Branding 'Kung Fu' as 'Chinese Legacy' etc. Thus, if branding is equivalent to traditional knowledge, then probably it makes things easier to be resolved.<BR/><BR/>When the line is not drawn, then a new set of ruling will usually follow. Take the case of 'silat olahraga' - even in boxing and wrestling - a set of fixed rules required to be complied with)<BR/><BR/>But I feel that if this is the case, the real secrets are still safe with the traditional knowledge domain - not all are being revealed. <BR/><BR/><I>(Anyway, where are you directing me too? Tell me what's bothering you really bro Nadzrin - perhaps I could help as now I don't know of whether I'm talking gibberish or related to what you wish me to?)</I>GLOBAL ABJAD BLOGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07036053882317627682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047080913606410024.post-12548279276818591412008-09-17T11:06:00.000+08:002008-09-17T11:06:00.000+08:00Salam hormat Pok Nik,The whole point of this is no...Salam hormat Pok Nik,<BR/><BR/>The whole point of this is not the effectiveness of techniques, but verification by an authority, whether the student has permission by his master (or whatever spiritual lineage the master represents) to carry on his work, even if it is totally different from the original.<BR/><BR/>As for Traditional Knowledge, yes, defining it is difficult, even for the United Nations because both silat and taekwondo are Asian heritages, but certain taekwondo federations are based outside Korea and ultimately led by non-Koreans. Where do draw the line? When does it stop becoming Traditional Knowledge and becoming public domain? For now, silat is still easier to corral than other global martial arts.<BR/><BR/>You said, "On the possibility of losing one's skills for 'committing sins' (unless I do not understand what you were referring to - as you use the word 'deem')". Yes, I was referring to sinning against Allah and mankind and that his knowledge can be restored by repentance, through proper decorum and methods (and of course biiznillah).<BR/><BR/>It's an honour having you back here again. Please visit us more often. We miss you.<BR/><BR/>Salam persilatanMohd Nadzrin Wahabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01688305454146125158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9047080913606410024.post-44170846141661530432008-09-16T23:36:00.000+08:002008-09-16T23:36:00.000+08:00Salam Nadzrin...it's been quite a while...Here it ...Salam Nadzrin...it's been quite a while...Here it comes<BR/><BR/>I was reading this interesting article of yours and thought of dropping a few lines.<BR/><BR/>I found your first 3 paras very intriguing but I think I can quickly recognize their significance. <BR/><BR/>Eventually, my 2 cents conclusion would be...<BR/><BR/>'be aware of 'inauthenticity' that may camouflaging itself using the label 'authentic' - I presume that you're referring to Silat.<BR/><BR/>Yes...different people have different views on this matter.<BR/><BR/>I do think that today (as we speak) there are so many 'inauthentic' Silats (please excuse my using the 's' - plural)<BR/><BR/>Let me tell you what I think...<BR/><BR/>The definitions and levels of inauthenticity may vary but to me (personally), whenever there are presence of 'hybrid elements' (some may not agree with me) I would say that this is an attempt to create another faction whether the practitioner realizes it or otherwise. <BR/><BR/>After looking into many angles - I humbly conclude that this 'hybrid' happens possibly due to : <BR/><BR/>a) For 'pesilat' that learns more than one silat - it is either simply reflex actions or an act tailoring oneself movements to the opponent's style (following the flow) Thus, the hybrid movements are unintentional. (perhaps self-discovery is also the reason)<BR/><BR/>b) For 'Pesilat' that learns more than one silat but has something else in his mind - to form up a new faction by combining 'Silat A' and 'Silat B'.<BR/><BR/>In this case, I wouldn't know what to say except wondering - Is the practitioner thinking of commercial purposes?<BR/><BR/>or just another 'publicity stunt' to say that 'I have improvised the method to make it better' (or worse?)<BR/><BR/>c) The best one - but I rarely heard of this one nowadays - By Act and Willing of Allah SWT, the practitioner 'discover some new movements' and established a total new 'Silat' - usually for the purpose of 'dakwah'(but I think this is more related to the spirituality domain - so 'no comments')<BR/><BR/>Whilst expressing the aforesaid personal opinion, I do not in any way against the 'hybrid' or 'spiritual discovery' (again, I'm merely saying out my personal views)<BR/><BR/>Traditional Knowledge? Hmmmm...it's difficult to say despite the definition that you quoted may sound convincing. Perhaps I'm not looking into Silat alone but into Martial Arts of Self Defence in general.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I find it hard to acknowledge the 'so-called' narrow claims (be it individual or groups) that Silat belongs to a certain community. <BR/><BR/>But if claims DO happen, the main reason is still somehow related to the 'self-discovery' (accidental) or as a result of 'hybrid'.<BR/><BR/>I would also second the motion of the silat masters that 'knowledge does not pass from them to their students, because they ultimately do not know what their student receives or understands' for the same reason - Sufi and 'how it should be' (once again, this phenomenon may involve the possibility of the future existence of the new versions coming out from the students eventually - is it 'inauthentic' or 'hybrid' or simply 'evolution')<BR/><BR/>On the 'authorized' or 'unauthorized' issue, my say :<BR/><BR/>"Is the practitioner using his skills for good or evil?"<BR/><BR/>"Is the movements (new movements that the-then student found out later) associated with some evil practice (black magic for example) or with something against the religious teachings?"<BR/><BR/>On the possibility of losing one's skills for 'committing sins' (unless I do not understand what you were referring to - as you use the word 'deem') <BR/><BR/>I do think that this action is still linked to 'taubat' (repent) and a practitioner can still; by God's Willing; self-discipline/restraint him/herself through 'taubat' and 'istiqamah' ('sustain' - rite?) <BR/><BR/>I somehow believe that every human being will be given 'second chances' to repair his/her mistakes.<BR/><BR/>Ok...that's all for now...<BR/><BR/>Wassalaam<BR/><BR/>Humbly<BR/>Pok NikGLOBAL ABJAD BLOGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07036053882317627682noreply@blogger.com