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Indonesia. Beyond appearances

Indonesia. Beyond appearances

Name: Indonesia. Beyond appearances
Brand: Editura Universitară
SKU: 9786062822125
Price: 51 RON
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Publisher: Editura Universitară

Author: Constantin Isache

Publisher year: 2026

Edition: I

Pages: 280

ISBN: 978-606-28-2212-5

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"...After admiring two fairly large lakes, covered with water lilies forming a dense carpet, located on the left side, the minibus turns onto the alley where religious buildings follow one another, the first being "Sasana Adirasa Pangeran Samber Nyawa". The central temple "Pasucen" is a spacious building, where purification before God takes place, the roof having three levels superimposed pyramidally, reflecting the three levels of Divine knowledge: "Kanuragan Science" - initiation ritual in the local cosmogony, Sangkan Paraning Dumadi Science - refers to the ontological existence of people and awareness, "where they come from" (Sangan) and "where their life ends" (paran) and "Kaspurnaning Dumadi Science" - achieving perfection by unifying personal life with God. It is the place open to all religions, "Sasono" meaning place and "Adiroso" - truth, it is therefore the place, the abode of truth in relation to God..."

Indonesia. Beyond appearances
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By the same author:
Rediscovering the World – Vol. I – “From the Magic of Myths to Religious Splendor” (2020) – Rovimed Publishers Bacău.
Rediscovering the World – Vol. II – “Between Hemingway’s Havana and the Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu” (2022) – Rovimed Publishers Bacău.
“Chile – The Country at the End of the Earth” (2025) – Rovimed Publishers Bacău.

The encounter with the Indonesian Universe was from the very beginning an experience that shocks through several elements that define it, starting from the 17,508 islands surrounded by endless expanses of water, the meeting place of numerous populations, starting with the existing ones, but also those that came from the north (Austronesian) long before and complemented by the successive waves of others, each with its language, customs, culture and beliefs, found throughout the tumultuous history in a continuous struggle for supremacy and control of the new territories. Among the first were the Hindus, creators of flourishing empires, led by brilliant dynasties, who left unparalleled monuments to humanity. The Islamic roller fell mercilessly, replacing or converting most of the populations whose wise men had instilled in their souls goodness, harmony and belief in the multitude of gods, which, however, only partially ensured their protection and continuity. And from the west came the envoys of European civilizations, Portuguese, Dutch, French, English, of whom the Dutch ruled the longest, with consequences that were reflected in subsequent evolution. The achievement of independence on August 17, 1945, was a great victory for the 1,300 ethnic groups, which had to be united and led. "Unity in diversity" had to be achieved, after 1950 establishing "controlled democracy" based on the principle of "unity and nationalism"... We will find that the "quiet giant" as it was called by the Belgian historian and cultural figure David Van Reybrouck, is in an upward economic evolution, managing, despite natural adversities, contrasts and multitude of social problems, to take concrete steps towards modernizing the state, connecting to the world economy and capitalizing on the immense wealth it has for its own benefit... These things can be observed even from the country's entry gates, the large airports, both in the capital and on the other islands, constructions of the most modern, equipped with state-of-the-art techniques, ensuring connections with the whole world. It goes without saying that rapid travel between the country's large islands is done by air in all those places where the necessary facilities exist. The existing road infrastructure is designed to meet the increasing demands of traffic, with road and motorway construction programs continuing to connect the main cities. Similarly, in terms of railway transport, important steps have been taken in the introduction of high-speed trains, in parallel with the construction of attractive and functional train stations, not to mention road transport with modern buses, ensuring connections with the most remote localities. All of this has contributed and continues to contribute to the development of one of the most prosperous economic branches, tourism, which offers a wide variety of objectives, starting with the great temples and historical monuments, continuing with the natural beauties encountered at every step and not least the endless beaches and islands with all the facilities offered by the very special climate, complemented by the attention, warmth and hospitality of the people... The capital remains the center of gravity, the seat of the political and military leadership of the country, of the main cultural, educational objectives, religious institutions and not least of the national and/or international economic giants... The establishment in 1602 by the Dutch of the "Dutch East India Company" (VOC), followed by the construction of the Batavia fortress, having as main directions, the military defense of the conquered territories but also the continuous annexation of others and the development of economic exchanges based primarily on the spice trade, so sought after in Europe and continuing with the exploitation and valorization of the numerous riches of these territories... Batavia, with the port area, with the numerous canals built with great efforts and sacrifices were the first steps towards the rise of Jakarta, the "Kota" (old city), the center around which, the great settlement would gradually expand, currently reaching extensions difficult to imagine at the beginning. Strongly influenced by Dutch-inspired architecture, especially the areas of the old city of Batavia, these have become nowadays, areas of great historical interest, preserved, integrated and interspersed between modern constructions... The emergence of the town of Bogor, whose settlement and climate have gradually transformed it into a true resort, residential area and place of refuge for wealthy families, confirming even more the reputation of "Buitenzorg" (without any worries). "Bogor Palace", first served as the residence of the Dutch governors, after independence it was one of the presidential palaces, which together with the botanical garden, form one of the most attractive and visited places. And to maintain its reputation and to confirm it, if it were needed, it is surrounded by modern residential areas interspersed with parks and recreational areas for all ages and possibilities, one of the refuges of the capital's citizens and not only...
Yogyakarta is one of the most beautiful regions of Indonesia, both through its spectacular, aggressive and unpredictable natural elements and for hosting some of the most grandiose architectural creations left by the flourishing Hindu empires of the Sailendra and Sanjaya dynasties. It is also part of the "Special Region of Yogyakarta", led by Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, (Sultanate of Yogyakarta), a monarchy within a Republic, a status gained through participation in decisive historical events for the independence of Indonesia... The city is a remarkable cultural center for ballet, batik, wayang puppets, literature, music, handicrafts, one of the centers of cultural events being the "Sultan's Palace" (Keraton) itself... The Borobudur Temple (the temple above the sky), built during the Sailendra dynasty, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, dedicated to Buddha (the Enlightened One), remains in the history of humanity as an expression of the genius of some populations capable of transmitting to their descendants, in a synthetic manner, the entire spirituality that animated them and the aspiration to reach its highest level - nirvana. The annual ceremonies of the Vesak celebration (May or June), starting at the Mendut temple, continuing through Pawon and ending at Borobudur, are sacred ritual moments of remembrance of the Buddha and purification... The other masterpiece, the "Prambanan Temple Complex", dedicated to the Hindu trinity "Trimurti" (Brahma - the Creator, Vishnu - the Preserver and Shiva - the Destroyer), were built during the Sanjaya dynasty, entering the history of humanity as the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia and the second in Southeast Asia after Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Both have been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991.
The city of Bandung is a symbol of the beginnings of the Non-Aligned Movement, where in 1955, 29 states from Asia and Africa, by participating in the "Asia-Africa Conference" in Bandung, formed a third pole in international politics, not aligning themselves with the two great powers, the USA and the USSR, in the midst of the "Cold War". But the city is more than a historical reference from the mid-20th century, registering as an economic entity since the 19th century when it was one of the important centers from where the harvests from the vast tea plantations left for Batavia and from there to the rest of the world. Then connected to Batavia by the "Great Post Road", the city is increasingly populated, so that at the beginning of the 20th century it becomes a real resort for large landowners, with modern buildings in the "Art Deco" style, with streets increasingly resembling European ones, rightly attracting the nickname "Paris of Java". The layout of parks, streets with tree-lined edges on both sides, and floral arrangements that adorn every surface, have christened it the "City of Flowers". So that in this 21st century, it can have the brilliance of a modern, dynamic city, a harmonious combination of the past and the present, respecting the motto, "Geman, Ripam, Wibawa, Mukti" (Prosperous, Peaceful, Prestigious, Cheerful), which particularizes it by giving it uniqueness and originality...
The island of Bali is the land, which through nature, exoticism, but especially the spiritual beauty of the people, the fruit of the millennial Hindu education, generates that climate of "calm and peace", through which it has fascinated and attracted "the rest of the world" opening wide the gates of "Candi Bentar", towards the "conquest" through knowledge and understanding of all of Indonesia... Nicknamed: "The Island of the Gods", "The Island of 1,000 Temples" or "The Magic Island", these reflect as many facets of the existential complexity of the descendants of Hindu civilizations. The organization of life respecting the philosophical principles of "Tri Hita Karana" (harmony with God, harmony with others and harmony with nature), considered as "three reasons for a prosperous life" or "three sources of happiness", reflects the depth and permanence of Hindu spiritual thought. The connection with nature, takes on even greater relevance given its continuous adversity, they treat the harsh reality as a normality, in which they are forced to resist, its attempts to dominate or submit being carried out within the limits of divine permissiveness. The organization of villages and homes, in accordance with the cosmic principle of "Tri Mandala", with the zoning and arrangement of sectors according to their sacredness, all connected to the Holy Mount Agung located to the north, an "axis mundi" respected with sanctity for generations... Balinese Hinduism, (Agama Hindu Dharma), a takeover and adaptation of Indian Hindu principles, which were combined with local animism, with the worship of ancestors, with the veneration and respect the area of Buddhist saints, mixed with spiritualism and magic of primitive origin... This spiritual complexity is reflected and found in the representations with Wayang dolls and in the variety of thematic dances, in which the struggle between good and evil spirits is a permanence...
I have briefly suggested just a few directions "of the game as a permanent means of intertwining the mythical with the real" through which I want to arouse the reader's interest in approaching this complex and contradictory world, a mixture of traditionalism, nationalism, mysticism and magic, the intention of the book being to capture all these aspects and many other related ones, a world that seeks its identity in another, strongly polarized and apparently adrift.

Gura Humorului February 15, 2026

Author's word / 5
ISTIQLAL (freedom, independence) / 11
On the way to Jakarta / 15
Rest, adaptation and information / 23
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah / 31
Independence Square in Jakarta / 54
"Symbol of purity, perfection and femininity", orchids / 64
Batavia, the capital of the Dutch East Indies / 75
Kelapa, the Old Port of Jakarta / 82
Fatahillah Market / 89
Bogor – Kota Hujan – City of Rains / 108
Dempasar, Bali / 126
From Kuta to the north of the island / 132
Penglipuran – traditional Balinese village... / 138
The Mother Temple of Besakih (Pura Besakih) / 143
Traditional Balinese dances... / 151
Ubud, between history, traditional culture and tourism / 162
How you might miss a flight... / 181
On the road to Yogyakarta again / 186
The Buddhist temple (candi) Borobudur / 191
The Buddhist temple and monastery Mendut / 201
For an Indonesian coffee... / 206
The city and the Sultan's Palace – Keraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat / 210
The Hindu temple (candi) Prambanan / 217
By train from Jakarta to Bandung / 225
Saung Angklung Udjo (Udjo's Angklung House) / 250
Krakatau, the destructive volcano on the "ring of fire"... / 262

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