Igniting the Inner Light with Morals Like the National Awakening Movement by Boedi Oetomo in 1908
Author: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist
Character, said Dr. Yudi Latif is a subtle weave between thoughts, feelings and will, everything that grows from the human inner garden. As for morals, it is the power that manifests the inner into action, the power that gives form to values. While the mind is the lamp of life. Therefore, if one’s thinking is wrong, life can perish. And ethics are control. Therefore, if morals fade, life loses direction. While the will is power. Therefore, if one’s will is weak, life loses power.
The meaning of all of the above, clearly, is in the spiritual realm. Thus, Yudi Latif’s thoughts and contemplations are increasingly leading far into the vast spiritual estuary. This means that, from an intellectual perspective, spiritual tourism is increasingly popular among academics who may have been fed up and tired of searching for more sacred and meaningful values to equip themselves in the hustle and bustle of the wanderings of many people who feel and realize that their hunt in the jungle of the city is not entirely able to bring happiness.
Reflections on morals for Yudi Latif seem to want to invite us to see the appearance of the Boedi Oetomo movement that emerged 127 years ago. As part of the effort to realize the ideals of Indonesian unity that continues to emphasize the character of Indonesian nationalism by expanding its membership which is open to all Indonesian citizens.
Even in its historical journey, Boedi Oetomo — as a national movement organization — joined the Pact of Indonesian National Political Associations in December 1927.
Boedi Oetomo is a movement organization that has set a historical milestone in the Indonesian nation’s struggle for independence since May 20, 1908, in Batavia when it became a symbol of the Indonesian national awakening movement until now.
The spiritual movement driven by intellectuals — students of the School tot Opleiding van Inlandsche Artsen (STOVIA) including Soetomo, Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Soeradji Tirtonegoro, Goenawan R. Anka, Muhammad and Soelaiman, and RM. Goembrek.
At least, that’s how Yudi Latif marked the beginning of the 20th century as a witness to awareness not only manifested in the birth of Boedi Oetomo, but also in the breath of contemporary organizations such as Djamiat Khair — the Budi virtue association — and Tri Koro Dharmo which established three noble goals: magic, intellect and devotion. So, Budi pekerti is understood as the foundation of revival and a bridge to progress.
Good character, Yudi Latif also believes, is able to unite reason, feeling and will into a good, true and beautiful path until character is formed — as a painting of the soul — which forms personal uniqueness and moral strength that grows from the cultural process.
Truly a nation that has character, has a shared nature that is born from collective experience. Exactly as stated. Otto Bauer that a nation is a unity of character that is born from a unity of experience. No less important than all that, that Indonesian independence is based on the nation, not for the independence of the state. And Soekarno too — although quoting H.G Wells, said Yudi Latif, also said that the size of a nation is not determined by the area or population, but rather by the strength of determination, the radiance of the character of its soul. Therefore, it is worth admonishing, if you want to plan a true path of revival, then you must start from the development of character — like Boedi Oetomo — by igniting an inner light that strengthens character. Because only then will the roots of progress grow that tower high and strong to support the future of the nation — also the state — that is strong and resilient.
In essence, an independent nation can build an independent state. But an independent state is not necessarily able to free its people. Therefore, the motto and national anthem of Indonesia is to build a new soul then build its body. This interpretation clearly implies that the main thing is spiritual, followed by material things.
Banten, May 21, 2025
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