A scientific seminar titled “The Legacy of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi: Continuity Across Generations” was held at our University, organized by the Research Institute of Yassawi Studies.
The seminar aimed to explore the rich spiritual and literary legacy of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi, the spiritual leader of the Turkic peoples and founder of the Sufi tradition; promote national values and moral education; and strengthen continuity between generations.
During the seminar, Bauyrzhan Saifunov, Director of the Research Institute of Yassawi Studies, PhD and Acting Associate Professor, delivered a presentation. He offered a scholarly analysis of Khoja Akhmed Yassawi’s role in shaping the national values and worldview of the Turkic peoples, as well as the historical, spiritual and educational significance of his written legacy.
In particular, the speaker examined the content and Old Turkic linguistic features of Diwani Hikmet (Book of Wisdom). He emphasized the role of the moral values embodied in the work in shaping the spiritual worldview of the Turkic peoples.
He also discussed the principles of spiritual and moral education presented in other works, including Paqyrnama, Adab al-Tariqah and The Forty Stations, which reveal the moral and ethical foundations of the Yasawi tradition. In addition, he addressed the themes of the human inner world, purity of heart and the attainment of spiritual perfection explored in Mir’at al-Qulub (Mirror of the Hearts).
The seminar also examined how Yassawi’s teachings originated in the Turkistan region and subsequently spread across Central Asia, the Volga region, the Caucasus, Anatolia and the Balkans, influencing the spiritual and cultural landscape of the Turkic peoples.
The scientific seminar was inspired by the great thinker’s profound words: “The path to Truth is the path of knowledge, and sincere service to the people is the highest form of devotion to Truth.” The participants reflected on the close relationship between science and education, dedicated service to society and the pursuit of spiritual perfection. The scholars spoke extensively about the importance of studying Yassawi’s legacy in preserving national identity and fostering spiritual values and patriotism among young people in the era of globalization.
The participants thus explored ways to study Yassawi’s legacy within contemporary research and education and to pass its spiritual teachings on to future generations.
At the conclusion of the seminar, the participants exchanged views and discussed new research initiatives and prospective academic projects in the field of institutional Yassawi studies.
KZ
TR
EN
RU
