Hinduism in India translated into Balinese culture

[Ipanema]

Roy quoted from Bali Street Dog post

"As an aside, a discussion of Hinduism in India, and how it eventually became translated and adopted into the Balinese culture would in itself make for a most interesting subject to explore. "


Roy could you comment on the above from your experience.

[rakini]

Yes, I would be really interested in a discussion on this topic. Through my study of yoga I have a little knowledge on the subject of Indian Hinduism, but nothing on how that was transformed into Balinese Hidnuism.

[Roy]

I am not the right person to discuss Hindu India and Hindu Bali. While I think I have a respectable understanding of Bali Hindu/Dharma, I will be the first to admit that I do not have any decent understanding of Hindu/India.

I can say though, that while the Vedic and Puranic Gods of India worked their way into the Java of the 8th century, primarily from Goa, and onwards so, did Buddhism, (from China), and at the same time animism was the “religion de jour” of the Balinese pre Hindu and Buddhist influence.

In the end of a very complex mix of influences, and over a long period of time, we find ourselves confronted with a unique religion/culture in Bali.

I can say from personal experience, that while Indian Hindu reject, and will not attend a Balinese temple, my wife, (Balinese, and very Hindu/dharma) engaged, enjoyed, prayed, and made offerings at both the old Hindu temple in Singapore, but also the temple to Wishnu, the Erawan temple in Bangkok.

I say that the Indian Hindu rejected the Balinese Hindu temples here from first hand experience, having hosted more than a few Indian Hindus on buying excursions here.

What that says to me is quite a lot. While my wife is in my view, very typical of Balinese/Hindu/Dharma, and was totally capable, and more importantly, very willing to embrace the Hindu aspects she found in the old temple in Singapore, and the small Pura “Erawan” in Bangkok, her counterparts from India are incapable of expressing their Hinduism in temples Bali.

Why is that? I don’t know...but it surely bothers me. This doesn’t bother my wife one bit, and I expect that the other Balinese participants on this forum will side with my wife...why bother?

Perhaps the Balinese have taken Hinduism to new heights not recognized by Indian Hindus. Or, and more likely, the Balinese have taken Hinduism to a level where it no longer matters...the details, but rather, the essence of Hinduism. I don’t know, but seeing Indian Hindu reject Balinese temples, while at the same time, Balinese embrace Hindu temples anywhere in the world speaks volumes to me about Balinese Hindu/Dharma.

[Mark Wales]

Roy,

I am a half caste Indian (half christian the other half hindu) and when I read your views I couldn't help but say a few words on this topic.

The reason (probably) the Indian Hindus you met didn't appear to be interested in Balinese temples is because the Balinese do not "use" temples the way the Indians do. The temples in India are 24 x 7 with a regular priest - evening and morning aartis- bells, flowers, offerings etc. Also, temples are dedicated to deities. So you have a Kali temple, Sidhi Vinayak temple (Ganesha), krishna temple and so on. The Indians probably viewed the Balinese temples more as architecture than a place of worship. Infact when I arrived in Bali my sister was kind enough to take me to a temple which was deserted. For me this was unusual.

Offerings in India are not tread on or kept in a place that others may tread on.

Further, there is the Horrid Horrendous and Vulgar Caste System which is alive and well and perpetuated by the Media in the form of matrimonials under Caste headings!
So there are temples in India today that don't "permit" people belonging to the lower caste from entering its precints!
Mahatma Gandhi be damned.

And how can I leave out the "Gurus" in Bangalore, Pune, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri and so on.

Yes you are right. The Balinese have taken Hinduism in its purest form and done away with a lot of the "filigree".

[Mark Wales]

Oh by the way, Happy Diwali everyone.
Today is Diwali in India. The Lakshmi puja is performed at sunset in every Hindu home. Firecrackers, sweets, gifts the works. It is also the celebration of the return from Lanka of Ram, Sita and Lakshman to Ayodhya.

At one time the firecrackers were so loud and raised pollution to such dangerous levels that a law had to be passed banning certain crackers, decibel levels etc. My unfortunate welsh friends arrived some years ago in Delhi on Diwali night. They thought they had arrived in Beriut!
Yes and the poor people do go hungry and the street dogs are in hell.
And yes this is the first time I am away from son.

[tintin]

For those of you interested in this topic, Hinduism in India and Bali, Prof. Drs Ketut Wiana, a high dignitary of PHDI ( Parisadha Hindu Dharma Indonesia ) and also a lecturer at UNHI ( Hindu University) in Denpasar, is an obvious local specialist. I don't know if he has written any books on the subject, but with his long and distinguished career, I am sure he has.

[Ipanema]

Thanks eyeryone

I would like , each village has a "community/village/ temple" I believe that is where the village hold ceramonies. Are they the same as the family temple.

I know from a discussion that there is the Temple of the Dead. So that temple is for all the ancestors who have passed on.

I have ordered books from Amazon.com, a couple Roy has suggested but I am still waiting for them three months later.

[bukit]

I can remember my wife's family sitting around the tv in bali singing along to indian hindu mantra's on vcd.

[Adele]

Thanks Mark and Thanks Roy, I am really enjoying this thread which came to us via the four legged plight in Bali. What are some of the books you suggested Roy? Would love to really sink into this aspect of Balinese life.

[tintin]

Tina writes:

I have ordered books from Amazon.com, a couple Roy has suggested but I am still waiting for them three months later.

There are MANY websites dedicated to Hinduism. So, in the mean time, allow me to point out couple of them, where you will find "everything you wanted to know (about Hindusim) and never dared to ask." :)

Personally, I am an atheist, but I've always enjoyed reading about how people see the GREAT mystery that is the Universe.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/

Wishing you a good reading.