The 2023 section of the project titled ‘A Comprehensive Study of Sufism: Sufi Thought, Literature, Music, and Rituals’, carried out jointly by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies and Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia and Africa, was completed with scientific programs held on August 28-29. Cemalnur Sargut, Rector's Advisor at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, who delivered the opening speech of the symposium, provided information about the sema ritual. Stating that sema represents the symbolic turns of the body, the ascent of the soul, and spiritual development, Sargut said that sema symbolizes humanity's journey toward spiritual perfection. Prof. Dr. Yasushi Tonaga, Head of the Kyoto University Center for Sufi Studies, who gave information about the Japan leg of the project, stated, “Our center became the first center established in Japan for Sufi Studies. Turkey stands out as an exemplary country where we can observe mystic philosophy and practices since the Ottoman era. For this reason, we wanted to collaborate with Üsküdar Üniversitesi for our research.” Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak expressed his satisfaction with the project in his speech, saying, “I attach importance to these meetings. I believe more work needs to be done on this subject and presented to humanity. I hope that this pioneering effort by Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Kyoto University will lead to more beautiful services.”
Within the scope of the 6-year project carried out jointly by Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies and Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia and Africa, a symposium was held to discuss the mystical meaning of the sema’ ritual and its intersection with music.
Cemalnur Sargut: “Sema’ symbolizes humanity’s journey to perfection”
Delivering the opening speech of the symposium held at Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, Üsküdar Üniversitesi Rector's Advisor Cemalnur Sargut stated that the primary purpose of the ‘Sema ritual’ is for a person to set aside the excessive desires and cravings of the ego, dedicate themselves to Allah, and internalize His word.
Emphasizing that sema stands out not only as a physical ritual but also as a symbol of a spiritual journey and deep inner transformation, Sargut said, “While sema is regarded as an expression of pure intention, humanity's desire to approach Allah is also at the heart of this ritual. Sema represents the symbolic turns of the body, the ascent of the soul, and spiritual development. It also symbolizes one’s inner maturity. The rapture of the heart and spiritual riches are outwardly reflected only when music and sema unite. A turning with music that does not return a person to their Creator cannot be sema; sema must originate from the soul, not the physical body. Sema means to hear, to listen. Allah’s sublime book, the Holy Quran, begins with ‘Read’. To understand a book that begins with ‘Read’, one must listen. Truth enters through the ear and settles in the heart. It should not be forgotten that sema is a form of worship, not a performance; it is worship that describes the surrender to Allah’s eternity by turning clockwise around the heart from right to left. Sema carries the same symbolism as circumambulating the Kaaba. Pilgrims circle the Kaaba, which is at the station of the heart. In sema, a person purifies themselves from their bad habits by circling their own heart. The intention is to ascend spiritually and make progress on the path to Allah. That heart is the station of Allah’s light. As per the meaning of the verse, ‘Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth’.”
Prof. Dr. Mahmud Erol Kılıç: “Sema ritual is the bodily expression of divine word”
In his speech during the symposium’s opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Mahmut Erol Kılıç, Faculty Member of the Institute of Sufi Studies and Director General of IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture), drew attention to the significance of the sema ritual. Kılıç noted that sema, known as an important element of traditional Turkish culture, has deep meanings. The spirit of the sema ritual is hidden in its meaning. In Sufism, the goal is to know and recognize Allah.
Prof. Dr. Kılıç, emphasizing that sema also bears deep traces in Turkish folk culture, stated, “Sema is not only unique to the world of Sufism but also symbolizes the Turkish people's journey from heart to heart. He expressed that those who say 'You are mine, I am yours' maintain a close connection with Allah. This understanding represents not only a form of expression but also a way of life.”
Defining the sema ritual as the place where the divine word is performed, Kılıç said, “This special ritual gained the name sema through its oral transmission. Sema should not be seen merely as a religious ritual. It is also possible to feel the presence of sema in every place where divine conversation takes place. Places where divine conversation occurs are naturally sema places. The gathering of a perfect spiritual guide is also called a sema gathering. There is a path from heart to heart.”
Prof. Dr. Yasushi Tonaga: “Research in mystical music and literature was limited in Japan”
Among the speakers, Prof. Dr. Yasushi Tonaga, Head of the Kyoto University Center for Sufi Studies, provided information on the project's work in Japan, which was initiated in 2021 with the support of Üsküdar Üniversitesi Institute of Sufi Studies and the Kerim Foundation. Tonaga stated, “Our center was established in 2016 with the support of the Kerim Foundation and became the first center for Sufi Studies in Japan. To date, we have published 4 English and 1 Japanese book. Research in the field of Sufi music and literature has been quite limited in Japan until now. Turkey stands out as an exemplary country where we can observe Islamic philosophy and practices since the Ottoman period. For this reason, we chose Turkey for our research and wanted to collaborate with Üsküdar Üniversitesi. Dhikr and sema rituals were examined from an anthropological perspective in our research. Music and poems, on the other hand, were evaluated from literary and spiritual perspectives.”
Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak: “I hope this project will lead to more beautiful services”
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Hikmet Koçak began his speech by saying, “I am pleased that our university hosts an Institute of Sufi Studies, as one of the few thematic institutes in Turkey, and that a 6-year study has been planned with Kyoto University in Japan through this institute.”
Koçak expressed his hope that the work, which began as a project to shed light on all humanity, would continue in the same manner, stating, “Just as technological advancements address humanity’s worldly needs, another need addresses one’s conscience and heart. That is why I attach importance to these meetings. I believe more work needs to be done on this subject and data presented to humanity. I hope that this pioneering effort by Üsküdar Üniversitesi and Kyoto University will lead to more beautiful services.”
Prof. Dr. Kenan Gürsoy: “No activity that strives to understand humanity should be neglected”
Following the opening speeches, the first session of the program began, chaired by Prof. Dr. Kenan Gürsoy, Chairman of the Cenan Foundation Board of Trustees and former Ambassador to the Vatican. Making a statement about the project, Gürsoy said, “I believe it is important to conduct research on this topic. No activity that is for humanity, serves humanity in its being, introduces its culture, and strives to help us understand the human within, whether from the West or East, should be neglected. Sufi thought, as a very important element of our civilization, precisely addresses the human being.”
Following the presentation by Petek Kutucuoğlu, a Master's student from the Institute of Sufi Studies, titled ‘Ahmed Avni Konuk’s Commentary on the Masnavi and the Concept of Innate Capacity’, Prof. Dr. Reşat Öngören, Faculty Member, in his presentation titled ‘Dimensions of Sufi Thought in Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi’, explained how Mevlana elucidated a matter step-by-step from the most complex situation to the simplest and easiest form, how his works are manuals for the people, and how he revealed the dimensions of Sufi thought in the context of the relationship between Allah and humanity. He stated, “In reality, existence is one. Multiplicity is in the details. The meaning that Allah encompasses everywhere is expressed in the verse. In this sense, Allah is always with His servant. Allah is one and everywhere, but His manifestations are different.”
Turkish and Japanese academicians discussed the understanding of Sufism
Continuing the panel, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emine Yeniterzi, Deputy Director of the Institute of Sufi Studies, presented on ‘The Influence of Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi in Turkish Sufi Literature: Stories from the Masnavi’; Azusa Fujimoto, PhD student at Kyoto University, on “New Spiritual Quests and Sufism in Turkey Focusing on Western Interpretations of Mevlana”; Prof. Dr. Yasushi Tonaga, Director of the Kenan Rifai Center for Sufi Studies at Kyoto University, on “Literature, Music, Arts, and Rituals in Buddhism”; Dr. Manami Suzuki, a researcher from Kyoto University, on “The Ney in Mevlevism”; Prof. Dr. V. Emre Ömürlü, on ‘Mevlevi Responses in Mevlevi Rituals and Their Performance Methods in Some Orders’; Dr. Lecturer Dilek Güldütuna, on ‘Sema' Ritual and Seyr-u Suluk (Spiritual Journey)’; Prof. Dr. Masayuki Akahori from Sophia University in Tokyo, on “Assessing the Anthropology of Sufism: Changing Perspectives”; and Dr. Lecturer F. Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar, on ‘Mevlevihanes: Civilized and Civilizing Spaces’.
The conference concluded with a general discussion titled ‘Towards a Comprehensive Understanding of Sufism’, moderated by Dr. Lecturer F. Cangüzel Güner Zülfikar.
East-West Bridge from Ancient Times to the Future…
On the other hand, the “East-West Bridge from Ancient Times to the Future Project” Istanbul meeting event was held at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Fuat Sezgin Conference Hall.
The Institute of Sufi Studies met with 22 participants from Germany within the scope of the project.
