Many Balinese students after they graduate from Senior High school go outside Bali to continue their study instead of studying in Bali. As a result from Bali has only one state university and it has only limited majors to choose. They usually go to the west, to the big cities in Java, which serve many better and famous colleges and more majors to choose. They got better study, and yet how about their religious and cultural activities that they always did in Bali?

Actually, there, outside of Bali, are Pura (hindus’s temple) moreover there is Banjar (the smallest society organization in Bali) like in Surabaya. I Made Kris Adi Astra, one of Balinese who is studying in Jakarta complained about there is no Pura in his campus. He must ride a motorbike to reach pura Amerta Sari in bintaro. “But I prefer praying in my room. If my mood is good I will go to Pura in Cinere” he added.

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The existence of Caka Lunar Calendar was the basis history that ended the hostilities among Indian tribes. They were Pahlawa, Yuehchi, Yuwana, Malawa, and Caka. They were fighting each other to have power. The Cakas were tired with this condition, so they changed their way of struggle not to defeat for power but for culture and prosperity.

125 BC the Kushana Dynasty from Yuehchi run India and was touched by the Caka’s effort, so the Kushana decided not to defeat the other tribes but it is used to tug all tribes in India by collecting every culture and put it as part of the palace culture. In year 79 AC, King Kaniska I from Kushana Dynasty and Yuehchi let the Caka Lunar Calendar system as the palace calendar. And on that day the tolerance among the Indian tribes arose. Due to the tolerance and unity, the Caka Lunar Calender System expanded through the spreading of Hindu.

In Indonesia, the Caka Lunar Calendar had been extended in the 4th century as the Hindu expansion. It was brought by Aji Caka, a priest of Caka Tribe from Kshatrapa Gujarat (India).

In Bali, the celebration of Caka Lunar Calendar is celebrated annually by doing Nyepi which means sepi (silent) on March or early of April. It is based on Lontar Sundarigama and Sanghyang Aji Swamandala (Hindu’s manuscript). The philosophy of Nyepi itself is to control our senses through catur brata penyepian (four ways to control ourselves); amati geni (to turn off the fire – the fire of anger, fire of passion), amati karya (not doing any work/activity except focusing on God), amati lelungan (not going anywhere), and amati lelanguan (far from the worldly pleasure). So, what is the correlation between the philosophy of Nyepi and the environment preservation?

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As far as we know, in general bazaar is done by selling goods, foods, or sometimes items made by hand. It is normally sold with low price to attract people. Based on the Oxford Dictionary the definition of the word “bazaar” is a sale of goods, often items made by hand, to raise money for a charity or for people who need help. But there is a unique characteristic in bazaar a la Balinese. Before going further I’d like to share my friend’s experience about this kind of bazaar.

He is a Balinese but he was born and grew up in Jakarta. He came back to his home town to study in university. One day his uncle told him that there was bazaar in his banjar (ward) and he was so excited for that. When he got there he was surprised. Do you know why? Well, all the prices are twice more expensive than the normal ones. He was startled because in his thought he is going to buy food or goods in low price like in Jakarta.

In the era of 70s in Sanur, bazaar was held in Galungan only (Christmas a la Balinese ) by the member of the banjar ( hamlet / ward ) in order to give its community a chance to spend their money for snacks since all food stalls were closed during that day. And not all food, drinks or goods were sold in high price; only liquors such as beer, tuak, or arak (Balinese wine) were sold in inflated price to generate some profits and then the profit would be used to repair the banjar or temple on that area. But with the passing of the time there is a different concept arises in carrying out the bazaar.

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Here is another interesting insight on Balinese religion from Scott Johnsen, the writing is taken from his thesis which is entitled “From Royal House to Nation”.

Using photographs I had taken, a village official explained the details of a recent marriage ritual. He went through some of the various purifications of the couple, who had been impure (sebel) since they ran off together: a tebasan mabiakala offering is made for the demons (buta kala) within the bodies of the couple; the couple are given betel leaves and old coconut leaves as purificatory substances; they are cleansed with smoke; two kinds of holy water sprayers (lis) are used on them; the couple cut a thread extended between branches of a particular kind of tree celebrated for its fast-growing property (dapdap); the couple feed each other; and a coconut is placed under the couple’s bed.

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Bali can trace its ancient heritage of natural healing and beauty practices back to the 15th century when rulers of Java’s mighty Majapahit Kingdom migrated to the island and claimed it as their own. With them came a legacy of timeless treatments and therapies that were later combined with the healing wisdoms imparted by wandering holy men from India.

Spa at Tepi Sawah Villas & Spa

The Balinese have always taken a holistic approach towards living by utilizing indigenous herbs, spices and plant materials to heal and rejuvenate. Such a wholly natural approach is closely bound to the fundamental Hindu belief that a state of balance between the mind and body is the essence of overall wellness.
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Monday, 3/19/2007, early in the morning, the island of Bali will be blanketed with silence. Nyepi, Balinese New Year is celebrated with day of silence, fasting, and meditation.
Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for contemplation and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are Amati Geni (no lighting fires); Amati Karya (no working); Amati Lelanguan (no entertainment or pleasure); and Amati Lelungan (no traveling); and for some, no talking or eating at all. Prohibition against lighting fires includes the use of light bulb and electricity, but there is an exception for those who sick or if there is an infant in a family, a minimum light is allowed. However, the emergency services such as hospitals are operational. Exceptions are granted for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth and the pecalang, traditional security force will open roads and assist people to a hospital in emergencies.

www.geocities.com/madeartha/
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