Pesantren

''Pesantren'' is a traditional Islamic boarding school in Indonesia. It is taught either in private houses, a ''pondok'' or a mosque, the teaching includes classical Islamic texts and ''santri'' thought, taught by ''kyais''. According to one popular tradition, the ''pesantren'' education system originated from traditional Javanese ''pondokan'', dormitories, ashrams for Hindus or viharas for Buddhists to learn religious philosophies, martial arts, and meditation. Institutions much like them are found across the Islamic world and are called ''pondok'' in Malaysia, Southern Thailand and ''madrasas'' in India and Pakistan and much of the Arabic-speaking world. The ''pesantren'' aims to deepen knowledge of the Quran, particularly through the study of Arabic, traditions of exegesis, the Sayings of the Prophet, law and logic. The term ''pesantren'' derives from the root word ''santri'' or student -- ''pe-santri-an'' or the place of the ''santri''.

As social institutions, ''pesantren'' have played a major role over the centuries. They emphasise core values of sincerity, simplicity, individual autonomy, solidarity and self-control. Young men and women are separated from their families, which contributes to a sense of individual commitment to the faith and close bonding to a teacher. Provided by Wikipedia