Budaya

Budaya is the plural form of the word ''Budi''. ''Budi'' is synonymous to ''akal budi'' or ''kebudayaan''. This original Indonesian word is very philosophical, since it has been explained, interpreted, re-interpreted, and made a philosophical discourse in Indonesian philosophers' circle up to this time. Indonesian philosophy world is not considered as complete without mentioning this discourse. Its derivatives, such as Budayawan, Budiman, and Budi daya, are now also discussed among Indonesian philosophers, especially those who are called philosophers of Kebudayaan.

Philosophers of the various schools of philosophy define the word ''Budi'' (plural, ''Budaya'') with different definitions, suited to their school interests. The oldest definition of the word is found in the 18th century Ancient Javanese manuscript ''Serat Centhini''. According to the text, ''Budi'' is suprahuman, spiritual entity which mediates between God's being and human's being. It is a purely spiritual substance originated from God. Here is the excerpt:

English translation:

It is the Budi with this meaning that is used by Dr. Wahidin Soedirohusodo to name his and his fellows' first native political society Budi Utomo in the Dutch East Indies of the early 19th century.

The ''Budi'' in this meaning is also similar to the Sufi concept of Nur Muhammad or the Platonic concept of The Universal Soul or the Islamic philosophical concept of Al-'Aql Al-Awwal. Provided by Wikipedia