Integrating Early 19th-Century Javanese Court Literature Values into Multicultural Character Education

Background/purpose. Integrating Javanese court literature values into character education requires an inclusive approach to bridge cultural gaps and avoid ethnocentric bias in a multicultural society. This study analyzes character values in the Javanese literary treasures of the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace in the early 19th century. Materials/methods. This study employs Wilhelm Dilthey's hermeneutic approach, which involves analyzing the text's structure, identifying themes and motifs, contextualizing the text, and providing an interpretation. The focus of Javanese literature at the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace in the early 19th century is exemplified by Serat Wedhatama by Mangkunegara IV, Serat Wulang Reh by Pakubuwana IV, and Serat Sasana Sunu by Yasadipura II. Results. The findings of this study suggest that integrating the values of life balance, fortitude, humility, wisdom, and social responsibility into character education not only strengthens social cohesion but also reaffirms the relevance of local wisdom as a pillar of national character development in the contemporary era. Conclusion. The findings suggest that the universal values within Javanese literary heritage can serve as a foundation for inclusive character education in Indonesia's multicultural society.