Origin Of The Arts
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The words Pencak and Silat refer to the martial
arts originally practiced by people of the Malayan race. Pencak is
commonly used by the people of Java, whereas Silat is commonly used by
the people who live in the other regions of Indonesia as well as in
Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. The words were first
combined when an organization unified the Pencak schools and Silat
schools of Indonesia in 1948.
Unique Movement
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Silat depends heavily on an indigenous weapons and animal-styles
heritage. In the (distant) past, it was predominately a weapons system; empty
hand techniques are derived from the weapons forms. It is still often said that
there is no Silat without the knife.
Philosophy
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The Philosophy of Pencak Silat is called the philosophy of budi pekerti luhur
(noble mind and character)because of its focus on sublime ethic.
According to this philosophy a peaceful, secure, orderly and prosperous
society can be created if all of its members keep the code of sublime
ethic. Therefore the way of life is the one that forms noble mind and
character. Budi (mind) is a dynamic psychological aspect of human being which
possesses the elements of cipta, rasa, and karsa. The three of them are
the dynamic forms of akal (reason), rasa (sensibility) and kehendak
(volition). Budi can be seen in the form of pekerti (character).
All of them must be luhur (noble/sublime/ideal). What should be
achieved in shaping this sublime ethic is the ability for self-control,
especially while using the techniques of these effective physical movements for
self-defense.
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