Blumbangan

[Bill M]

I have been searching for many years regarding understanding the symbolism regarding the blumbangan.

Partial definition from an Indonesian friend.

"Blumbangan derived from the word blumbang, means pool or fish pond. Philosophically, blumbangan represents a pond, a container... teaching us as a human has to be accommodative, being able to handle or bear anything that happen or come to our life, either joys or sorrows. Never give up, surrender every problems to the Almighty. And inside us, there is one thing that is wider than the universe, higher than the sky, deeper than any ocean, ever bigger than the Biggest... it is called HEART. Our heart is more than able to over and beyond anything.

"Blumbangan represents our heart and the heart of the Keris as well. Some use the method in resonating our heart and the heart of the Keris by placing our Thumb right on the Blumbangan, while other fingers firmly grip the hilt... close our eyes, and place the Keris straight up right in front of our forehead (ajna chakra - the third eye)... and feel it.

"Have a go, Bill... you may experience something new or unique. Who knows?"

[David]

My feeling is that there are indeed many aspects of the keris that have deeper spiritual symbolism and significance, though i have not really given much thought to any occult meanings to the blumbangan up to this point. I suppose i have always assumed it's purpose was more practical than symbolic. That is not to say that i am surprised that spiritual significance has been applied to it over time (as with everything to do with keris), but i am not sure that such significance was the original intent of this particular aspect of the ricikan.

[A. G. Maisey]

The response Bill received from his Javanese informant is a perfectly valid one for the present era, it is in accord with Kejawen philosophy, and in my opinion tends towards the way in which Kejawen is practiced according to the Jogjakarta school.

However, we need to remember that many things, and not necessarily esoteric things, can be understood in differing ways. There are different ways in which to approach something, different schools, differing bases for understanding. This is not really a matter of right and wrong, it is a matter of levels of understanding, and the place where the understanding is coming from.

Try this:-

http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE4.html

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The response Bill received from his Javanese informant is a perfectly valid one for the present era, it is in accord with Kejawen philosophy, and in my opinion tends towards the way in which Kejawen is practiced according to the Jogjakarta school.

However, we need to remember that many things, and not necessarily esoteric things, can be understood in differing ways. There are different ways in which to approach something, different schools, differing bases for understanding. This is not really a matter of right and wrong, it is a matter of levels of understanding, and the place where the understanding is coming from.

Try this:-

http://www.kerisattosanaji.com/INTERPRETATIONPAGE4.html

Thank you for your kind input. I particularly "it is a matter of levels of understanding, and the place where the understanding is coming from."

I am re-reading your articles. Good information. Integrating.

[Bjorn]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

This is not really a matter of right and wrong, it is a matter of levels of understanding, and the place where the understanding is coming from.

I completely agree with this statement. In fact, I'd say this even applies to most areas of life.

For me, the blumbangan represents soma, the female element, while the sogokan represents agni, the male element.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Bjorn

For me, the blumbangan represents soma, the female element, while the sogokan represents agni, the male element.

Yoni - Soma
Lingam - Sogokan

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey
This is not really a matter of right and wrong, it is a matter of levels of understanding, and the place where the understanding is coming from

Agreed. There are as many "levels of understanding" as there are as many paths as there are people. None are right or wrong. Only different from our perspective.

Life is a wonderful buffet! Choose what you can use for your path. Leave the rest of the buffet. You don't have to eat it and you have no right to criticize others for their choices.

For myself that the Spiritual always underlays the Physical. So a reverse path can be from the Physical to the Spiritual. The question arises that the Spiritual is replete with paradoxes as seen from the Physical senses.

The attempts to understand the Spiritual from using Physical senses and arguments are ultimately futile than can result in frustration, but each person has their path and it is inappropriate to try to change other people .

For me, I am less interested in the terminology as I am more interested in the patterns. If I want to understand a man, entity, pattern it begins on studying its works.