36 Years of Anand Ashram
Inviting the Public to Reconnect with the Nation’s True Identity through the Cultural Dialogue on Siksa Kandang Karesian
Jakarta, 14 January 2026 — In commemoration of its 36th anniversary, Anand Ashram Foundation organized a Cultural Dialogue entitled “Glorious Indonesian Humanity: Charting the Path Back to the Nation’s True Identity through Siksa Kandang Karesian.” The event served as a shared space for reflection, inviting the public to rediscover the wisdom of the Indonesian archipelago’s ancestors as a foundation for building the future of the nation, rooted in enduring values of local wisdom.
Held at the Auditorium, 2nd Floor of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia, Jakarta, the event on Wednesday (14/1) was attended by more than 300 participants from various regions—including Greater Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang, Bali, and Lampung. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, including academics, cultural communities, social activists, and the general public. The discussion unfolded in a warm and vibrant atmosphere, interspersed with performances of traditional Nusantara songs that enhanced the sense of togetherness.
In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Anand Ashram Foundation, Joehanes Budiman, invited participants not merely to romanticize the past, but to actively learn from ancestral wisdom in order to respond to contemporary challenges. “The values contained in Siksa Kandang Karesian are not meant to be stored on historical shelves, but to be revived in our awareness and embodied in our actions today,” he stated.
Appreciation was also expressed by the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia. In a speech delivered by Yeri Nurita, S.S., Acting Head of the Center for Library Information Services and Management of Nusantara Manuscripts, on behalf of the Head of the National Library, it was emphasized that the National Library, as the “home of the nation’s memory,” is a fitting venue for such reflective activities. She noted that the Sanghyang Siksa Kandang Karesian manuscript has been recognized by UNESCO as part of the Memory of the World, signifying that the universal values it contains are relevant to global humanity. “This manuscript teaches the concept of Dharma as a compass of life leading toward clarity and wisdom (karesian),” she remarked.
As the keynote speaker, Prof. Asvi Warman Adam, Ph.D., historian and Research Professor at BRIN, underscored the relevance of the teachings of Siksa Kandang Karesian in today’s Indonesian context. He highlighted the value of Asteya—not taking what belongs to others—as an ethical principle which, if consistently practiced, could serve as a foundation for national revival.
From the perspectives of social psychology and human rights, Niniek L. Karim together with Haris Azhar, S.H., M.A., invited participants to re-examine Mochtar Lubis’s critique of the Indonesian character. They encouraged that such characteristics should not remain as stigma, but rather be understood as cultural challenges—or in contemporary terms, a skill set—that must be developed to enable social transformation through the noble values living within the archipelago.
Meanwhile, Ayu Dyah Pasha highlighted the relationship between the development of human intellect (akal-buddhi) and patterns of diet, dress, and communication, as outlined in the Siksa Kandang Karesian manuscript transcreated by Anand Krishna. These values, she noted, remain relevant as a mirror for modern social interaction and contemporary life.
The discussion concluded with responses from participants, including Engkus Ruswana, Presidium Member of the Majelis Luhur Kepercayaan Indonesia (MLKI), who reflected on Anand Krishna’s dedication in exploring and transcreating the depth of the Siksa Kandang Karesian manuscript—an intellectual and spiritual endeavor requiring profound discernment and long-term perseverance.
Through the book Sanghyang Siksa Kandang Karesian, the public is invited to discern a path of personal transformation grounded in inner clarity, honesty, responsibility, and long-term vision. Established in 1991, the Anand Ashram Foundation—a Centre for Wellbeing and Self-Empowerment affiliated with the United Nations—has grown into a Center for Cultural Studies that actively promotes cross-sector collaboration to realize the vision of One Earth, One Sky, One Humankind, inspired by the spirit of Serving the Divine by Serving Humanity and Society.
Anand Ashram Foundation
Contact: +62 878 8511 1979 | +62 811 1449 59
