Subud - The Name "Subud"

The Name "Subud"

The name "Subud" is an acronym that stands for three Javanese words of Sanskrit derivation, Susila Budhi Dharma.

What these words mean depends on whether referring to :

• the original Sanskrit root word meaning.
• definitions in a modern Indonesian language dictionary.
• the explanation and definition given by the founder of Subud in his talks to members.

These three meanings are somewhat different from one another. The following is a quotation from The Basis and Aim of Subud, published by Subud Publications International (SPI), as an ostensibly authorized translation of the words Pak Subuh. (It must however be noted that SPI is not an official part of the Subud Association.)

"Susila means: the good character of man in accordance with the Will of Almighty God..

"Budhi means: the force of the inner self within man.

"Dharma means: surrender, trust and sincerity towards Almighty God.

"This is the symbol of a person who has a calm and peaceful inner feeling and who is able to receive the contact with the Great Holy Life Force"

"As the spiritual training (latihan kedjiwaan) of Subud is free from the influence of the passions, desires and thinking, and is truly awakened by the Power of Almighty God, the aim of Subud is naturally toward perfection of character according to the Will of the One Who awakens it, namely: Almighty God."

"It is also necessary to explain that Subud is neither a kind of religion nor a teaching, but is a spiritual experience awakened by the Power of God leading to spiritual reality free from the influence of the passions, desires and thinking."

The core of Subud is the latihan experience. The latihan is a vivid encounter which is fresh, alive and personal. It evolves and deepens over time. It is hard to pin down in words - which have specific connotations.