Here is an interesting piece of writing on Balinese Hinduism as a belief taken from Scott A Johnsen’s thesis which is entitled From Royal House to Nation: The Construction of Hinduism and Balinese Ethnicity In Indonesia.

When a man from a ward in Bangli married a Javanese Muslim woman, an official from the local Hindu Council office and another from the Department of Religion attended to make sure that this woman had formally stated her belief in the panca sraddha, the official Five Beliefs of Indonesian Hinduism:
1. Belief in (yakin akan) the existence of Hyang Widi Wasa (the high god)
2. Belief in the existence of the soul (atman)
3. Belief in the existence of the law of karma
4. Belief in the existence of reincarnation
5. Belief in the existence of liberation from reincarnation (moksa)

(more…)

Like any other people, Balinese are also thrill-seekers, enjoy watching others take great risks and live to tell the tale, although Balinese have no tradition of wire walking or high diving or other dangerous athletic pursuits. But in the realm of magic they can found abundant of thrill to satisfy thirst for dangerous excitement.

The source of this magical excitement is the Calonarang drama performance. In a scene in this performance, a performer in Rangda mask usually someone who is able to counteract the power of black magicians and other people who can turn themselves into leyak, or terrifying creatures, challenges all the local sorcerers to fight him with their magic. The performer cry in his highest voice, calling and forcing them to come forth whether they want or not. Sometimes the performer, the Rangda dancers feels so exultantly invulnerable that he strips off the mask and invites the sorcerers to attack him: ‘all you leyak, come on! Attack me altogether! ME! Attack! Attack! Attack ME!’

(more…)

Man has always had the foresight to realize the importance of recording details for future preservation. History indicates that long before paper was invented, man attempted to leave his mark by etching on cave walls and pieces of stone. Another form of documentation that is thought to have been initiated within the Nusantara archipelago, which is now known as Indonesia, was the tradition of writing on pieces of palm leaf known as lontar.

(more…)

Dream can be defined as having an idea or image in the mind while in the state of sleep. Dream is always beyond control and difficult to analyze. These characteristic of dream make it interesting to discuss. For Balinese dream is an important part of life. It affects everyday life of Balinese, materially and spiritually. To Balinese dream is never in vain it always has a purpose and there is always something in it. Based on the type on its functions, Balinese divide the dream into several types of functions such as medium of communication, medium of action, predictive messenger, and sometimes serves as a battle zone.

Balinese believe that people who have supernatural power use dream as a medium of communication. This can be compared to interactive communication through internet or other modern media. This type of communication is used to conduct highly secret conversation in relation with magic or witchcraft. Traditional Balinese spiritual teachers (guru) usually use a dream as a medium of communication with their disciples.

(more…)

The local witch doctor, folk doctor, shaman, black magic advocate, diviner, conjuror, herbalist, druggist. He or she could be a traditional village faith healer who uses incantations, a ritual specialist who has knowledge of the occult and employs simple prayers or amulets, or a spiritual leader of great prestige who takes no part in community ritual. In Indonesia, dukun.

(more…)