Insan Kamil in the Architecture of the Grand Mosque of Buton:The Symbolism of the Seven Grades of Existence and the Twenty Divine Attributes

Abstract

Studying the symbols and meanings of The Grand Mosque of the Sultanate of Buton (TGMotSoB) may pave the way to explore other buildings in Indonesia that embody symbols and meanings related to local belief systems. It may also lay the foundation how spiritual and cultural values are translated into architectural forms. The current studyaimed to explore the symbols and meanings of TGMotSoB regarding the principles of Islamic Sufi teachings of the Seven Grades of Existence (Tsgoe) and the Twenty Divine Attributes (Ttda). The following methods were used: Husserl's transcendental phenomenological paradigm, an inductive approach, a single qualitative methodological choice, and Husserl's transcendental phenomenological method. Data was collected using in-depth interviews, self-reflection, direct observation, and document study. Data analysis techniques comprised grouping data, reducing data, eliminating data, giving themes to data, identifying data, constructing textural descriptions of research subjects, creating structural descriptions, synthesizing data, and answering problems. Data validation techniques were carried out by reflecting on meanings and rational analysis. The study concluded that the symbols and meanings of TGMotSoB represent the concept of the perfect human. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of local Sufi principles with architecture, the revelation of the concept of The Insan Kamil (the perfect human) in visual form, and the approach of using human body symbolism to understand mosque architecture as a spiritual medium.

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