Date of Award

1-1-2000

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Thesis

Divisions

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Department

Department of Media and Communication Studies

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

The idea of this study is to put forward an analysis on the system of ethics of the traditional Malays. Nevertheless, it does not provide a listing of characters, attitudes and behaviour of the people. This writing is giving attention on a research of the existence and conscience of ethics from a philosophical view. This study is about attempts on seeking originality and authenticity in the significance of "budi" which is synonymous to the Malay people and its civilization. "Budi' defined as a soul process of purifying self consciousness in gaining truth to the result of choices and actions made harmoniously according to self judgements and to norms of society. Among the purposes of this study is to grab and gain more understanding in the etymology and meaning of "budi' which derived from a Sanskrit word and its existence from a dualism concept (purusha and prakriti) of the Hindu philosophy. Islamic influences then dominated the Malays as pillars of faith and humanism in giving justification to mens' existence and responsibility towards Allah SWT. In such conscience, the Malays chose a simple, moderate way of living with regards for the love of Allah SWT. With this, the people has reached to the utmost importance of life fulfillment adding perfection to the philosophy of ethics of Malay civilization. The sources selected and referred in the analysis are the Malay pantun which offered strong chain of ideas referring to functions of innerself (soul) regaining true consciousness. This small poem is considered as the most original literary text of the Malays. It also provides various interpretation of peoples' action on ideas and feeling related to "budi." Documentations about nature, people, the traditional Malay ethics, all portrayed in pantun's full authenticity, of arty traditions, though its phrases and words were always mentioned spontaneously. Pantun mirrored Malays true self with images of variable entities related to the people's life. In pantun, all can be read and be seen by heart and mind of its significance to the philosophy of ethics of the Malays.

Initial

snms

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A) -- Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, 2001.

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