Inspiration
Hindu Dharma/Agama Hindu
On this island there is a link to enlightenment. The Balinese feel themselves to be a blessed people; a feeling continually reinforced by the wealth of their every-day life and strengthened by the splendor of their religion.
The beliefs of the Balinese are a living force that pervades the island and reverberates outside it. The island sings of love. The love that spends an hour making an offering of woven palm leaves and beautiful flowers. The love that finds the time, everyday, to think of giving something to the Gods; by lighting a stick of incense, by praying a Mantra, by sprinkling holy water or by doing a Mudra (a sacred movement with the hands). Bali is also the love bestowed upon their children, the beautiful processions and the intricate offerings made with simple humility.
The aim of Hindu Dharma is to reach peace of spirit and harmony in this material life. In practicing their faith, Hindu communities try to achieve a spiritual balance of worship between Tattwa (philosophy), Susila (etiquette/morals), and Upacara (rituals). These three areas are subdivided into various tenets.
Philosophy
The Tattwa has five principal beliefs (Panca Srada):
- Brahman - the belief in the existence of one almighty God head.
- Atman - the belief in the soul and the spirit.
- Samsara - the belief in reincarnation.
- Karma - the belief in the law of reciprocal actions
xx(one gets back eventually what one gives out).
- Moksha - the belief in the possibility of unity with the divine (Nirwana).
Etiquette and Morals
The Susila (etiquette) places emphasis on three major rules for behavior (Tri Kaya Parisuda):
- To think good thoughts.
- To talk honestly.
- To do good deeds.
Ritual
Upacara (Rites of Passage) is divided into five areas of holy sacrifice (Panca Yadnya):
- Dewa Yadnya - holy rituals for the Gods.
- Pitra Yadnya - holy rituals for the higher spirits, and rites of death.
- Rsi Yadnya - holy ritual for the holy Hindu prophets (resis).
- Manusa Yadnya - ritual for and on behalf of humans.
- Bhuta Yadnya - sacrifices for neutralizing the negative influences.
Hinduism is a monotheistic religion with one Godhead. In Bali, this is called Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa or Sang Hyang Tunggal or Sang Hyang Cintya. These are all words for the one God. Hinduism is often misunderstood as being a faith with many Gods and Goddesses (Dewas and Bhataris). These other Gods are merely the realization or manifestations of the holy rays from the One God. The word Dewa (Deva) comes from the Sanskrit word Dev, meaning ray. Bhatara comes from the word Bhar, meaning protector. The Dewas (holy manifestations of God), which appear most often in Balinese religion are called the Tri Murti, or sometimes the Holy Trinity.
- Brahma - The creator
- Wisnu - The preserver
- Ciwa - The destroyer or returner
In Bali the Pedanda, (High Priest), is selected from the Brahman caste and performs the major rituals.
The Pemangku, (village Temple Priest), looks after the temple and leads holy rituals included in the Panca Yadnya.
The holy books of the Hindu religion are the Vedas, which originated in the India. The ones that reached Bali are the Catur and Veda Cirah and are still used by the priests in carrying out their religious duties.
The religion is taught in other forms as well. The most popular of these are the Purana, (morality plays) and the Itihasa, (epic poems). The most well-known being the Ramayana and the Mahabarata.
Cremation of the dead (Pengabenan, Pelebon) is perhaps the most important, and often the most colorful ritual of Balinese religion. A cremation is necessary to liberate the soul of the deceased for the passage into heaven and reincarnation.
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