Taxonomia Religionum

A Comparative Taxonomy for the World's Life Frameworks

29 traditions across 11 families, analyzed through 13 functional dimensions

Southeast Asian Syncreticactive

Kejawen (Javanese Mysticism)

Founded: Prehistoric roots; syncretic form ~15th centuryJava, Indonesia~~200,000+ (formal); cultural influence on ~60 million Javanese adherents

Taxonomy Axes

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Cosmogony & Origin

emergence narrative

Blends pre-Hindu Javanese animism, Hindu-Buddhist cosmology, and Sufi mysticism. The universe emanates from divine unity; human souls are sparks of divine essence. Semar, a uniquely Javanese divine trickster, mediates between gods and humans.

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Values & Ethics

relational reciprocity

Pursuit of inner truth (kebatinan). Slametan communal meals for life transitions. The resi (sage) tradition of spiritual mastery.

Purpose & Salvation

seeker of liberation

To realize the divine spark within, achieve inner refinement (batin), and beautify the cosmic order. Spiritual mastery through meditation and mystical experience. The goal is unity with the divine.

Suffering & Happiness

Suffering results from disharmony between inner (batin) and outer (lahir) worlds, attachment to worldly desires, and failure to recognize one's divine nature. Spirits can also cause disturbance. Acceptance (nrimo) is a key response.

Eschatology

cyclical renewal

The Ratu Adil (Just King) will appear to restore justice and cosmic order, ending moral decline. Draws from Hindu (Kalki) and Islamic (Mahdi) traditions, uniquely Javanized. Cyclical ages of golden rule and decline.

Dimension Profile

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Locus of Suffering
1
high
Temporal Orientation
4
medium
Agency Model
6
high
Knowledge Architecture
2
high
Individual vs Community
5
medium
Nature Relationship
5
medium
Body/Material Attitude
4
medium
Founder Authority
no founder
high
Theistic Density
5
medium
Subsistence Mode
3
high
Religion Centrality
5
medium
Settlement/Mobility
2
high
Transmission Mode
text and oral
high

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