Subud Symbol

The Nature of Subud
Further clarifications by Bapak mainly taken from "Subud and the Active Life".

The Nature of Subud is expressed in the words SUSILA BUDHI DHARMA, the meaning of which is the inner condition and the outer life of man wholly surrendered to the Will of God. Thus Subud is a state or condition, so that the words Subud Brotherhood do not signify an organisation or society, but the mutual recognition of those who are seeking to attain surrender to the Will of God.

The unity of Subud is wholly inward and spiritual, and does not require any external form. Subud should not be regarded as having a corporate existence, such as that of a church, a society or institution.

Subud...is an abbreviated form of Susila Budhi Dharma.

  • Susila denotes the nature of man in whom are to found the true human qualities that he should possess according to the Will of God.
  • Budhi means that there resides within man a superior power which can guide him when he is able to be aware of it.
  • Dharma signifies the submission of man before the Greatness of God above all, so that his own experience proves to him that no other wish is stronger in him than his wish for God, and that of all his love none is greater than his love towards God; this is beyond everything he has ever wished or could wish for himself. All the Prophets have taught that a man should love God even above his own soul.
This is a symbol for us in Subud. It is certainly very hard for you to live in this way in your own individuality, but once God wills it so, we can hope that what Subud stands for - namely the perfection of human society united in the worship of God - will be attained by you yourselves and by your descendants.

Subud is not a religion, for it stands as a symbol for man both within the communities of the various religious and also outside all organised religions, and only if a man's nature corresponds to the symbol of Subud can he be described as really Subud. In Subud each one will meet with and become aware of reality according to what he himself has experienced, and a man who becomes Subud will really be able to receive the guidance from God which exists in and for every individual. He will then be aware of what is right and what is wrong, he will also understand how to live while he is on earth in such a way as to achieve happiness for himself and his family. It will be a matter of course that a state of well being should accompany the fulfilment of his worldly obligations; not only his soul but also his body will enjoy good health, so that such a man can be said to be healthy both outwardly and inwardly. In Subud, in the latihans that we receive, we are being led from the lower to the higher, from the outer to the inner, and this will result in a balanced condition of well being. Each of you will also be able to receive for yourself what has to be done by you, and eventually you will be able to comprehend the truths contained in all the scriptures and to become a true follower of the religion to which you belong. The whole of this process is worked in you by the Power of God alone.

You may still find that you wonder where God is or what is He like, what and where Paradise is, for these are questions that commonly arise in the minds of men. That you think about these matters can be justified in some ways, for most people wish to enquire into the nature of the things that they discover, and it is by the knowledge thus acquired that these can be brought into human use. Moreover, God has equipped man with brain, heart and desires, and these are not to be despised; it is indeed the Will of God that man should employ these instruments for the purpose of his life in this world. If we were not intended to think about things or to use our brains, hearts and desires, what would be the use for which God has created them for us?

People in general do not yet know the Will of God, that we have received in our latihan. It is therefore sufficient to tell the public that Subud is a brotherhood based on Susila Budhi Dharma. It is based on the principles of true human behaviour, remembering that God is Almighty and that there is in ourselves, residing within our being, something that we can neither know or see; that is, the Budhi. Dharma signifies that we submit ourselves completely to God, for we believe in Him and it is to Him that we surrender our body and soul. Thus Subud is a brotherhood of men, based on the principles of true human qualities, remembering the greatness of God that is manifested within our being through our complete submission; God exists, we truly believe in Him and He is truly Almighty.

The spread of Subud by example

To spread Subud by means of propaganda, simply because we live in an age of propaganda, is not the way. Propaganda is today used everywhere, but people are becoming tired of it. They see that one may be a clever talker but incapable of practicing what one talks about. One can speak of riches within oneself becoming rich. One can talk about how to be a good man and pure in heart, and about how to behave in order to possess the qualities one ought to have, but without experiencing any change of nature in this direction within oneself.

Today mankind does not want to hear propaganda: they want proofs because there are so many clever men who confuse the minds of others until their hearts spin. This is the situation at present, and because of this proof is demanded. Each proof should be a real one, representing the reality of the spiritual life. It should be shown clearly that this is a life which can rightly be an example, because it can be put into practice, and the proof which people demand is there.

The need for good outer organisation

Brothers and sisters, Bapak has made it clear that organisations in the spiritual way of Subud is concerned with the administrative side of the Subud Brotherhood. It is not the organisation but the latihan itself which is the essence of the spiritual brotherhood of Subud, but since we are human beings living in a human society - that is, in a world which must be entirely ordered by man himself - it is necessary that to a certain extent we should organise. This is necessary so that we can live and work together, and support each other in such a way that this Subud Brotherhood of ours shows itself to be a body of human beings with true discipline and order.



[ Home | Literature | Articles | Stories | Members - Tapes/Books, Ibu Rahayus Talks ]