Religion in Bali: history, traditions and basics

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The main religion in Bali is Hinduism. Faith of Holy Water is another, more poetic name for it. The religion of Indonesia and Bali absorbed many elements of Buddhism and animistic cults of the local population. Compared to Indian Hinduism, it has some differences. On the one hand, the relatively implicit perception of some ideas (for example, reincarnation), on the other hand, the flowering of certain elements that are on the verge of extinction in India, for example, the cult of the Virgin Baruna (goddess of water), the system of four varnas, and so on.

History

The first people to settle in Bali were Chinese immigrants who came here around 2500 BC. A thousand years later, the Balinese Prince Airlanga captured the neighboring island of Java. And with the spread of Islam to Java in the 16th century, most of the aristocracy fled to Bali. Then Hinduism was finally established here.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim mainland in the world with over 80% of Muslims. The culture of Bali differs radically from the dogmas generally accepted here. Conquest, colonial policy, war, Islam - it's all historyislands. But as the saying goes, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger," Bali's culture has held its own against the onslaught. One can only imagine how much she had to go through to survive and how strong she is now.

Pantheon

In Bali's unique religion, the god is Sing Hyang Tunggal, which means "understood". Traditionally Hindu gods and goddesses appear, of which Shiva is the most popular, then Deva Shri (goddess of the harvest), Deva Baruna (deity of the sea). In addition, the followers of the religion of Bali revere all the many local deities: spirits of mountains, rivers, trees, etc.

Castes

Society there is divided into four separate castes (varnas), known since ancient times in India.

Firstly, this is the varna of the brahmins: they are divided into highly respected persons responsible for the ritual purification of water necessary for rituals, and lower level persons - providing sacrifices during religious ceremonies.

Varna Kshatriyas are a caste of warriors. Vaishyas are the layer of merchants. Varna Shudra is a caste of farmers.

In Bali, mainstream religion and traditions rule life. Also, its rhythm is also determined by the phases of the moon. Traditional temples are located here, there are ceremonies that take place almost every day - it is not for nothing that this place is called the Island of the Gods.

The day starts early. Each Balinese family carries donations on rough palm leaves, offering daily gifts to the gods. It is hard not to notice this, because such peoplevisible almost everywhere: in front of houses, in vehicles, on the streets, crossroads. It is not hard to imagine that the preparation for this requires a lot of work and time, so the richer local housewives buy simply ready-made offerings in large quantities and store them in refrigerators.

1700 steps

To get to one of the main Hindu temples on the island, you need to overcome more than 1700 steps of stairs. As the locals say, in this case you can't complain because you'll never see the top. A tough two-hour hike is rewarded with great views of the area, and in good weather, even the neighboring island of Lombok.

The most architecturally interesting part of the temple is located on one of its lower levels. The characteristic Balinese gate leads to it, behind which the Agung volcano is visible. Dominating the landscape with a height of 3142 m, it is the most sacred mountain of the island. Balinese people believe that this is the abode of the gods and the spiritual center of Bali. Agung also has its dark side - in 1963, 2,000 people died as a result of the eruption. Some say that this is due to the great Eka Dasa Rudra ceremony, which is performed once every 100 years to save the world from destruction. The last one was to take place in 1963. But already at the beginning of the year, Agung began to tremble.

The local priests took this as the wrath of the gods and suggested that, most likely, they set the wrong date for the celebration. Unfortunately, nothing could be done about it.to do, because participation in Eka Dasa Rudra was confirmed by the President of Indonesia and senior dignitaries. And then the eruption happened.

Unsurprisingly, Agung inspires respect and fear among the locals. It is for this reason that every traditional Balinese house and headboard of the inhabitants of the island is directed towards it. The temple, built at its foot, is very often visited by numerous locals.

Ngaben - joyful funeral farewell ceremony

The history of religion in Bali is such that its followers perceive many things in a completely different way than Europeans. In a picturesque valley surrounded by a network of rice fields lies the small village of Bugbug. There the progenitors of the local population came to this world for generations. And there they said goodbye for the last time during the Ngaben. The bodies are laid out on temporary graves, waiting until the financial situation of the family allows the organization of an important ceremony in the life of every follower of the religion of Bali. This is quite an expensive ceremony. More than 40 million rupees (about 180,000 rubles) should be allocated for ngaben for two people.

Difficulties

This is an incredibly high price for the average family. The amount covers the cost of a ceremony that lasts several days, including priests, accommodation and food for family and friends. But followers of the Bali religion do not skimp on ngaben, because this is one of the most important rituals of the transition. You can't skimp on the dead. Because then he visits his family at night and asks for more. And the local population does not want and is afraid of this.

Atmospherethis ritual is rather joyful, because people believe that the next incarnation awaits the deceased. He may incarnate in one of the unborn family members.

A religion full of rituals

Ngaben is just one of the many Balinese rituals of passage. The first ceremony is performed while the child is still in the womb; another is held immediately after his birth. On the twelfth day of life, the priest ritually cleanses the child of evil influences. On the forty-second - they give him a name, and then, finally, after three months of life, he can touch the ground.

Teenagers are waiting for the ritual sawing of teeth. Sharp teeth are considered a characteristic of animals and demons. It really doesn't hurt, according to the locals. Marriage is also of great importance in the religion of Bali. Many meetings are held in family temples: ceremonies accompanying the emergence of new buildings, rites for cars, for animals, for rice fields. It is impossible to count them all and it seems that there is no day in Bali without a holiday.

So, the Day of Silence is held here, during which the streets are empty, life on the island stops for a day. Galungan is the time when Bali looks the most beautiful. Ornamental bamboo stands in front of the houses, locals play musical instruments and cook lavar, a traditional dish based on pork and vegetables. Eating it with their family, the Balinese give each other sweets and gifts. Galungan, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, can be compared to our Christmas. It is with the closest people that they spend thisday.

Modernity

However, things are changing in Bali these days. Hotels and restaurants are growing on the site of rice fields, more and more scooters and cars are driving on the roads, and the once charming town of Ubud is turning into a Mecca for tourists. Luckily, it's still easy to get off the beaten track, get lost in the jungle of narrow streets, and find an almost unknown temple.