Balinese Hinduism
Bali’s culture is completely intertwined with its religious beliefs and practices – they are rarely separated. As you read through this section and watch the video, remember that all these concepts and belief apply to the practices discussed in the previous section.
Approximately 87% of Bali’s population identifies as Hindu, making it the dominant religion in the region, despite the fact that Hindus represent less than 2% of the Indonesian total population.
Watch the following video (transcript below) to learn more!
Balinese Hinduism is believed to be a combination of Buddhism, Hinduism, and indigenous principles. At the core of the religion is BALANCE. The 3 aspects of Tri Hita Karana, harmony with 1) God, 2) Nature, and 3) People, are kept in balance and brought together through holy water, known as Tirtha. Tirtha is essential because it is considered the one thing that can bring these 3 realms together.
The island of Bali is home to over 20,000 temples (Pura), each of which is dedicated to a different virtue, region, family, or other category.
Additionally, Balinese Hindus believe in the power of spirits and ghosts, and perform a variety of rituals to appease and maintain balance with the spiritual realm. For example, when building the learning center, the community asked ancestors of the land to move on so that it could be used for something new. Rituals can even be as small as the local habit of honking at big trees when you pass, since these are believed to be inhabited by evil spirits.
To maintain harmony with nature, Balinese Hindus perform important rituals to ask for the blessings of the gods and goddesses of nature many times throughout the year, such as for birth, marriage, death, and other important life events. Art, music and dance are important ways to express devotion to God, telling stories from Hindu mythology or celebrating festivals. It is how people show their gratitude for their health and lives.
Some other basic principles of Balinese Hinduism include:
- The belief in one supreme being, Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.
- The belief in a hierarchy of gods and goddesses, which are manifestations of Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa.
- The belief in the cycle of samsara, or birth, death, and rebirth.
- Balinese Hindus believe that the soul is reborn into a different life depending on its karma, or actions in the previous life.
- The belief in dharma, or the law of cosmic order.
- Dharma is a set of guidelines for living a good and moral life.
- The belief in moksha, or liberation from the cycle of samsara and becoming one with the universe.
- Moksha is an ultimate goal for people after various cycles of samsara, achieved through good deeds, meditation, and devotion to God.
Ultimately, Balinese Hinduism focuses on connection and creating harmony, allowing people to “show gratitude for the peace that is in the world and have more joy and happiness for the people around us”.
-Puspa
Reflection 13: Read the following article on Ubud and ritual masks.
- What are your thoughts after reading it?
- What can it tell you about Balinese culture?