| Buda Script Aksara Buda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Script type | |
Period | Circa 14th–18th centuries,[1] and present (optional & research) |
| Direction | Left-to-right |
| Languages | Old Sundanese language Old Javanese language |
| Related scripts | |
Parent systems | |
Sister systems | Balinese Batak Baybayin scripts Javanese Lontara Lampung Makasar Old Sundanese Rencong Rejang |
| This article containsphonetic transcriptions in theInternational Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, seeHelp:IPA. For the distinction between[ ],/ / and ⟨ ⟩, seeIPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters. | |
| Brahmic scripts |
|---|
| TheBrahmi script and its descendants |
Buda script, Aksara Buda, or Gunung script is an archaic script. Based on its shape, the Buda Script still has a close relationship with theKawi script. This script was previously used on the island ofJava (especially inWest Java andCentral Java) andBali. This type of script is called theBuda script because it is considered to have originated from the pre-Islamic era which is called the Buddhist Age. The wordBuda is based on the wordBuddha. Manuscripts containing writing using the Buda script are commonly found in mountainous areas. Because of that, this type of script is also called the "Mountain script".
The mention of the Buda script appears in the bookThe History of Java byThomas Stamford Raffles in 1817.[2] The mention of the Buda script or Gunung script was further suggested by Casparis (1975).[3] Based on the literature review, the name Aksara Buda or Aksara Gunung can refer to two script models, namely the script used inlontar manuscripts from the Merapi-Merbabu collection inCentral Java,[4][5] and in gebang manuscripts originating fromWest Java.[3][6][7] TheArjunawiwaha[8][9] andKunjarakarna[10] texts are contained in several manuscripts, the two texts of which are written in the Merapi-Merbabu Buda model script model and some are using the West Java Buda model script.[11]
Merapi-Merbabu model script is used to refer to the script model used in the collection of manuscripts found on the slopes of MountMerapi-Merbabu,[12] the shape of the script is distinctive, different fromJavanese andBalinese script.[4] Manuscripts of the Merbabu collection (currently stored in theNational Library of Indonesia) that use this script includeDarmawarsa,[13]Gita Sinangsaya,[14] andKunjarakarna,[10] which are written inOld Javanese language. In addition, there is a manuscript originating from thePekalongan area that uses this model script and useOld Sundanese language, namely theKala Purbaka manuscript.[15] One manuscript with this script model was found inBuleleng,Bali in 2019.[16] Texts written in this script generally contain an overview ofHindu-Buddhist religions with local beliefs, but in some parts there are elements ofIslamic religion.[17]
Various names for this script have been suggested by several ancient manuscripts, includingK.F. Holle (1877) called it Kawi-squared script (Kawi-kwadraat-letter),[18] Pigeaud (1968) called it West Java's semi-cursive thick script,[19] while Casparis called it the Buda or Gunung script.[3] The confusion over the naming of the script model in the gebang script which is quite different was raised by Andrea Acri in his dissertation when discussing theDharma Patanjala manuscript.[3] The manuscripts he worked on were traced from the Merapi-Merbabu collection inCentral Java, but he further estimates that at first the manuscripts originated inWest Java, where the tradition of gebang script writing was more developed. Therefore, he made a special alternative designation for the Buddhist script written on gebang leaves, namely the Western Old Javanese Script.[3]
The Buda script model originating fromWest Java is written on gebang leaf media (formerly known as nipah), using organic black ink.[20] The style used is thin. The manuscripts that use this model script useOld Sundanese language, such asSang Hyang Siksa Kandang Karesian,[21]Sang Hyang Raga Dewata,Sang Hyang Tatwa Ajnyana, andLanggeng Jati.[22] In addition there are those who useOld Javanese language such asSang Hyang Hayu,Dharma Patanjala,Arjunawiwaha, andBhimaswarga.
Kakawin Arjunawiwaha which uses the West Javanese model of the Buddhist script is the oldest known manuscript (written in 1344 AD), originally from theBandung area.[8][9][11] In Van der Molen's research, theKunjarakarna manuscript in the collection of theLeiden University Library, LOr code 2266, which was written in the West Java model of Buda script, had the highest level of accuracy among the other manuscripts he studied.[10]
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