Episode 7
Sunan Giri — Raden Paku and the Centre of Learning on the Giri Hills
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Sunan Giri, named Raden Paku and also known as Ainul Yaqin, founded a centre of education and religious governance on the Giri hills near Gresik. The Giri pesantren grew so large and authoritative that it became a kind of "kingdom of knowledge" — Giri Kedaton — whose influence reached far, even to the eastern parts of the archipelago such as Borneo, Sulawesi, and the Moluccas. Sunan Giri made education the heart of his mission. From Giri came preachers who then spread to many corners of the islands. Because of the authority of his learning, he also became a reference and advisor to the Muslim rulers of the age. Tradition also attributes to him a number of children's games and songs carrying moral messages — a gentle way of instilling values in the young from an early age. In this way the mission touched not only adults but also shaped children through the culture of play. Reflection: building knowledge and education is the most enduring investment in a mission. Sunan Giri teaches that one strong centre of learning can give rise to thousands who carry the good forward. Sources & Notes: the existence of Giri Kedaton and Sunan Giri's tomb in Gresik are documented historical facts; Giri's religious-political influence over the eastern archipelago is also recorded in the histories of the local sultanates. The attribution of children's games and songs to him comes from Javanese oral tradition and cannot always be historically verified.
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Sunan Kalijaga — Raden Said and Preaching Through Shadow Puppetry