Pre- and Post-Sudhi Wadani Guidance for the Hindus in Medan City

Abstract

Sudhi Wadani is a ceremonial rite performed for individuals who intend to embrace Hinduism. This ritual is commonly conducted prior to a marriage ceremony or for those who voluntarily choose to convert to and embrace the Hindu faith. In accordance with Article 2, Paragraph (1) of Law No. 16 of 2019 on Marriage, a marriage is considered legally valid only when performed according to the religious principles of the parties involved. The Sudhi Wadani ceremony serves as a formal declaration and affirmation of one’s sincere commitment to Hinduism, undertaken voluntarily and without coercion. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct both pre- and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance programs to provide fundamental knowledge about Hinduism before and after the ceremony, as well as to prevent reconversion after the ritual. Based on this phenomenon, three main problems can be formulated in this study, namely, first, why is it necessary to carry out pre- and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance for Hindus in Medan City? Second, how is the process of pre- and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance for Hindus in Medan City? Third, what are the implications of pre- and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance for the social, cultural and religious life of Hindus in Medan City? The theories used in this study include phenomenological theory, constructivist theory, and reception theory. This research was designed using a qualitative descriptive method and conducted in Medan City.

The results of the study indicate several reasons for the need for pre- and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance: marriage, religious diversity, and religious reconversion. The guidance process includes pre-Sudhi Wadani guidance, implementation, and post-Sudhi Wadani guidance. Furthermore, several aspects related to the implications for society, social life, cultural life, and religious life in Medan, are highlighted. The findings demonstrate a change in the challenges faced by Hindus and non-Hindu communities in Medan through Sudhi Wadani. Theoretically, this research reinforces Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology, Jean Piaget’s constructivism, and Hans Robert Jauss’s (1921–1997) reception theory.