Interest in the role of spiritual and religious traditions in the workplace has been growing in recent years. In this article, we seek to contribute to this burgeoning field of study by investigating the significance of work in man’s life according to the Islamic and Hindu traditions and, in particular, the common work-related ethical principles advocated in the two religions. We focus our discussion on three key interrelated ethical principles which apply to the domain of work: justice, benevolence, and trusteeship – all of which are espoused in both Islam and Hinduism and which, we argue, stem from the key metaphysical principle of “unity”, a shared doctrine in both religions.

What is real? Perhaps it lies in the concrete and tangible evidence of the existence of a person, or the occurrence of a historical event (or the profane dimension of reality). Yet intangibles (or the sacred dimension of reality) such as what we believe and what we feel are equally valid bases of our reality. Focusing on possibilities about the existence of Hang Tuah, warrior par excellence of the Malay world, the essay addresses issues of reality and existence. Initially, definitions of what is “real” and “reality” are explicated. Subsequently, drawing on Mircea Eliade’s ideas on the sacred and profane dimensions and based on hermeneutical principles of interpretation, the discussion explores the possibility of the existence of Hang Tuah. The discussion moves from a literal understanding (the text), to the literary language of Hikayat Hang Tuah (the subtext), to metaphysical considerations (the metatext). The essay presents a viewpoint of a traditional Malay society which participates in a sacred universe. Using the secular view as counterpoint, the essay explores different dimensions of time and space in the spiritual reality of Hang Tuah. It concludes that in order to constitute a holistic view of reality, both the corporeal and the incorporeal dimensions are necessary. Keywords: Hang Tuah, Malay traditional worldview, myth, reality, sacred universe, spiritual viewpoint

Abdullah Hussain’s novel, Interlok, has been the source of discussion and conflict among various factions in the multi-ethnic and multi- religious community of Malaysia. As an alternative to some of the current negative impressions of the book, and accusations directed at the author, this essay presents a view of the novel and of the author’s motivations. It draws on two elements, evidences from the text itself, and an inward level or esoteric interpretation of the text. From an approach of Hindu religious and spiritual doctrines, and universal metaphysical truths from a Traditionalist perspective, it concludes that a fair and unbiased textual analysis which foregrounds Truth allows a genuine reader to understand what the author actually wrote, and to see beyond the conflict and accusations. Keywords: Hindu esoterism, discernment, Traditionalist perspective, human integration