The Interrelation of God, Human, and Nature: A Comparative Exploration of Ibn ‘Arabi’s and Pikukuh Sunda’s Anthropocosmic Vision

Abstract

In contemporary discourse, some scholars reject modernity and advocate for a revival of the ‘perennial philosophy’ which seeks to uncover the core truths shared by many transhistorical religious and spiritual traditions. Fritjof Capra, for instance, promotes a holistic worldview that perceives the world as an integrated whole rather than merely a collection of disparate parts, drawing inspiration from Eastern religious traditions. This paper examines Ibn ‘Arabi’s Sufism and Pikukuh Sunda as exemplars of teachings derived from Eastern religions that share an interconnected vision of human, nature, and God through the concept of anthropocosmic vision. This study does not conflate the two teachings – asserting that “Islam is Sunda and Sunda is Islam” – but rather emphasizes the unique moral and philosophical insights offered by each tradition. Utilizing qualitative methodology, with phenomenology approach, this paper posits that the central theme within the teachings of Sunda and Ibn ‘Arabi’s Sufism lies in their linguistic connection. Without this connection, the concepts of surrounding human, nature, and God – central to the anthropocosmic vision – risk becoming isolated and lacking mutual significance.