Smells and Bells

In chapter two, "Hearing Islam In The Atmosphere" of the book Women, the Recited Quar'an, and Islamic Music in Indonesia  by Anne Rasmussen she shared her understanding of the spiritual leaders, teachers and mentors involved in the instruction of Quar'an recitation in Indonesia. Kiai and Nyai are the terms used to identify spiritual leaders who through there wisdom and example act as mentors in Quar'an recitation. These definitions loosely correspond to lama (tibetan term for teacher of the dharma) or guru (sanskrit term of the same meaning). Here is a list of similarities between Kiai/Nyai and Lamas usually among social and economic leaders in community frequently considered part of elite lineages of religious leaders generally highly respected for religious knowledge, guidance and administration of schooling often model educators, preachers or even civic business/political leaders ex: Dalai Lama they are considered the anchors of religious learning ...