Why can it be so difficult for local leaders to die?

Why can it be so difficult for local leaders to die?

Tarko Sudiarno, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

When former president Soeharto was admitted to the Pertamina
Hospital in Central Jakarta last December, people speculated that
he could be about to die. The fact is the 78-year-old man managed
to survive and was released from the hospital after intensive
treatment.

People then linked his physical condition with a Javanese
belief that such a person must be in the Sumlanggoro and
Sumlanggem conditions, meaning the difficulty for a person to die
because he possesses extraordinary mystical energy or strength
acquired during his lifetime (called Joyokawijayan in the
Javanese language).

Such a person must be fully aware that the powers in his
possession will become a pepalang (obstacle) to his death though
the physical condition no longer supports life.

This opinion was recently revealed by a Javanese cultural
observer, Suryanto Sastroatmadja, to The Jakarta Post. He said a
person who experiences great difficulty in dying at his old age
is suspected to have some unfinished business in his life.

"But it's also possible that such a person has some secret
mystical powers, which creates an obstruction for him to meet his
death."

In the traditional Javanese belief, there are five elements
that could make a person's death difficult.

First, in the case of a person who feels guilty for committing
numerous sins in his life, it is called Pantirasianta, literally
meaning the home of imprisoned emotions. This applies to
everyone, from the common people up to the high-ranking leaders.
Normally a huge number of problems reside inside such a person.

Second is Andayupanti, meaning to create superiority through
various sacrifices, including searching for mystical powers to
enrich oneself or to enhance one's physical prowess.

The person is less aware that the accumulation of these powers
will weaken him against external energy. For example, when he is
attacked with black magic sent by another person, he would not be
able to resist but could only attempt to hold out and retain his
physical self.

The third element is Wicaksagriya or Wicaksangriya, referring
to an old person who cannot experience a simple death. Instead,
he must go through a painful process. This could be caused as his
early life was lived far from virtiously.

It also applies to those searching for mystical powers in
faraway places to cover up their economic shortcomings in their
youth. This kind of small-mindedness prevents them from positive
interaction in the society and later creates difficulties for
them in the face of death.

The fourth element is Ibrapuji, which is attributed to those
who have a near death experience. But they are incapable of
speech or normal body movements after the experience.

The near death experience, suffered more than once, could
effect their five senses. The persons had obviously abused the
powers, which were not theirs, in their youth. Therefore the
energy field beyond their control would set a curse upon them and
make exiting life extremely difficult.

The last element is Padasirnabaya, concerning those who lie
limp, similar to a corpse, but stay alive. They retain body heat,
the eyes are open and able to see but they are incapable of
anything else.

Though human in form, they closely resemble sprawled powerless
and motionless dolls. This is generally due to the excessive
abuse of conscience or violation of God's laws as well as the
positive values of life.

Those belonging to this group have certainly told the worst of
lies, which hurt mankind, part of the universe created by God,
thus ultimately committing a major offense toward Him as well.

These are the five elements stopping some people from dying
normally or Emating mati patitis. They block them on their
journey to heaven. Hence they oscillate and are set adrift
between their past, current and future paths. They are finally
rendered as mere living corpses.

One of the best solutions recommended is Pangleburan Rasa
Jenawi, which is a kind of "self-dissolution". The essence of the
ritual is to release the mystical powers within the person to
dissolve the barrier.

In the case of a person who has brought a great deal of
suffering to many people, a confession is required.

"A relative can act as a representative for the confession,"
Suryanto said.

The confession requires sincerity and can be assisted by
relatives. The obstructing mystical powers can be removed and the
soul-purifying rituals can be easily performed by an endowed
spiritual teacher to free the five elements floating between
heaven and earth.

These are some of the reasons why it is difficult for leaders
to die a smooth, natural death. Acknowledging himself as
Javanese, former president Soeharto should be very well aware of
his past deeds. Only he himself can measure the dimension of his
mistakes or wrongdoings.