‘‘A dream of guru came to me’’: Meanings of dreaming about spiritual teacher for Chinese Indonesian Buddhists

Abstract

Based on an ethnographic study among Chinese Indonesians who practice Tibetan Buddhism, we analyze doctrinal beliefs and meanings associated with the appearance of spiritual teacher in dreams. The most common meanings conveyed in their narratives were the beliefs that Guru‐related dreams signify successful spiritual practice, a prophetic insight into future events, and an encouragement for further endeavor in spiritual practice. For a significant number of them, these meanings centered around the precarious feeling of being perceived as the source of the nation's problem. Analyzing the dynamic of these positive/optimistic meanings and negative/pessimistic feelings with regard to Guru‐related dreams, we conclude that both represent the ongoing negotiation between spirituality and ethnic belonging and are connected to the soteriological project of forging a new ethical self.