What is the difference between Kebatinan, Kejawen, Dewi Kanti, and Sunda Wiwitan?



Goshio Arago, studied at Graduate Students

Answered Nov 27, 2017

Well in truth these religions doesn’t have name or comparative differences in the past, but they’re indeed different when it comes to spiritual belief and practices. However it was something that co-exist, never specific to a particular ethnic group… today many proclaim that these “are not” religion, which in a sense is true.. but they mostly claim it that way so that they could continue practice it under Indonesia’s compulsory recognized religious classification law.

Of course people would associate what Sundanese practice with Sunda Wiwitan, while Javanese with Kebatinan or Kejawen… but its more than just being those… its way more than what most people think they are. These practices are not something that’s to be compared with modern Indonesian definition of “religion”. Ask the Marapu in West Java if they would ever agree to be classified “Wiwitan”, the answer are probably gonna be no. And they’re right to answer that way, because there never was particular one organized religious labeling.

But well things are changing, I do wonder how Indonesia are gonna handle the religious class for all the different religious practices. Its impossible if they’re gonna just simplify everything.. unless they want to see massive cultural destruction. We might be seeing reformation in the way of Balinese reforming their so called “religion” into Hindu Dharma.

The differences are easy to spot, just take a look at what they value most in their region.. the sea, the harvest, the volcanoes, harsh terrain, forest, the ancestors or even the lake that’s guarded by the spirits. Some would have Indianized influences like meditation in caves or fasting or familiar images.. flavored with myth and tales. Some even goes as far as making their holy ground sounds “dangerous and mystic” like Gunung Kawi in Malang.. Yet they all consist each other’s elements and ancient deities. Its all about balancing the surrounding energy and protecting the ancestors.



Telaga Rambut Monte in Blitar, East Java… where the fish are said to be inhabited by guardian spirit. It is not allowed to fish in the lake.



Madrais in Kuningan, West Java.. its all about the harvest, and they’re definitely not the same as what the Baduy in Banten are practicing



Gunung Kawi in East Java

I hope I manage to explain to you the nature of these practices and to NEVER compare them to our definition of “religion”. These aren’t something unique at all, since in Thailand many of its villages have its own “guardian spirits” which co-exist with Buddhism.

As for the perceived modern day differences themself, we have wikipedia to explain those basics.

https://www.quora.com/topic/Dewi-Kanti