PERtoDPS
So my Mrs arranged a rental house while I was back in Australia, all good but, the owner comes around about once a week at short notice to pray. Has come in once to have a look around to which I agreed, just to show nothing dodgy is going on.
I know things work differently to Australia but is this normal? Can I refuse? Isn't it now a private rental so I can do what I want? Some perspective please guys.
spicyayam
I think it is normal, but I didn't have it when we rented. We aren't Hindu, but follow all of the ceremonies and rituals that go with staying in Bali. I would do my best to maintain good relations with the owner. If it causes problems, I would then consider moving and perhaps next time make it part of the rental agreement.
PERtoDPS
Problem is an extreme way to put it, but more like this: this morning we went to bed at 4am and they are calling and waking us saying they are coming at 7am. The waking us is the issue. She didn't request to go in the house so that's all ok, I guess it's more me that needs to accept I am a guest in Bali not the other way around. My mrs is Hindu but not that much practicing her family pretty in to it.
Mark
PERtoDPS wrote
Problem is an extreme way to put it, but more like this: this morning we went to bed at 4am and they are calling and waking us saying they are coming at 7am. The waking us is the issue. She didn't request to go in the house so that's all ok, I guess it's more me that needs to accept I am a guest in Bali not the other way around. My mrs is Hindu but not that much practicing her family pretty in to it.
Their behavior is not normal.
PERtoDPS
I sort of suspect they are making excuses to see what's going on / who is renting the house.
harryopal
If there is a shrine on the property then I think the notion is that it has to be respected with prayer. My Muslin wife did not want to rent a house that had a shrine having been told that if the shrine were neglected there would be bad spirits about. After an initial visit we have had no inspections this last two years but then there is no shrine.
spicyayam
Calling people at 4am is strange. Do they have their own key or can they let themselves into the garden? Are you talking just about the temple in the garden or having to come inside?
I suggest just trying to maintain good relations and if not possible to move. My wife has had clients where they rent property from people in Ormas, which are kind of gangs. Also, people having problems with neighbors who are Ormas. You can try fighting them but they will never leave you alone. At least one property was through a well-known agent here. Hopefully, you didn't commit for too long.
PERtoDPS
Sorry I didn’t word that well. They called around 6:30am to come at 7am. 4am is when we went to bed. Temple out front. Did not request access inside house this time, last time they did after saying we will put a/c, which they approved prior. No major dramas more of a culture shock, but I’d prefer they only came for rent inspection still going inside gated private area (and more importantly waking us up) to get to their temple.
sakumabali
I believe it is acceptable. The balinese landlord is "maintaining" the temple in the front. I guess it's a culture clash. The landlord is probably awake since 5 AM and wouldn't believe that someone isn't ;) so if you'd tell him this he thinks you're weird but wouldn't bother you anymore. Even more - I guess he would be happy as he could avoid meeting the tenant. They do it because of politeness
Acceptable IF the temple is outside - let's say near the garage. if the temple is on the roof etc. I'd just allow it on galungan, kuningan etc
JackStraw
You might want to consider making a temple outside your wall. That's what I currently have in my rental. Outside the wall, right next to the front door there is a cut out into the wall where the canang (offering) is placed every morning. I see it on many villas in the area. You should look into something like that if it becomes an issue to have your owner come inside your wall property every day.
matsaleh
JackStraw wrote
You might want to consider making a temple outside your wall. That's what I currently have in my rental. Outside the wall, right next to the front door there is a cut out into the wall where the canang (offering) is placed every morning. I see it on many villas in the area. You should look into something like that if it becomes an issue to have your owner come inside your wall property every day.
It's not possible to just move a temple, without a high priest coming to "relocate the gods" from one place to the other. It's a complicated and expensive ceremony.
sakumabali
matsaleh wrote
It's not possible to just move a temple, without a high priest coming to "relocate the gods" from one place to the other. It's a complicated and expensive ceremony.
Not really necessary here. Make a Pelinggih (small temple) outside - problem solved ;)
Mark
sakumabali wrote
Not really necessary here. Make a Pelinggih (small temple) outside - problem solved ;)
Matselah is correct. The temple inside the house compound cannot just be abandoned like that and replaced by a new one without involvement from the mangku and the 'unlikely' permission of the property owner. The only solution I can see would be for the owner to agree that the OP's wife or someone from her family can do the daily offerings instead of the owners dropping by to do them.
tel522
Our experience with the owner is fine , he does not disturb us , the temple is at the rear of the house .
If we were being disturbed on a daily basis I would move .
PERtoDPS
This is basically resolved, my Mrs does the offerings daily (she is hindu anyway but gets a bit slack on this stuff) and the owner comes once in two weeks or so prays and leaves offerings, doesn't enter the house but has to go in gate. Once has left on driveway.
11 months left on my lease, it's too small and trivial a matter to move over at this stage.
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
sakumabali
Mark wrote
Matselah is correct. The temple inside the house compound cannot just be abandoned like that and replaced by a new one without involvement from the mangku and the 'unlikely' permission of the property owner. The only solution I can see would be for the owner to agree that the OP's wife or someone from her family can do the daily offerings instead of the owners dropping by to do them.
The temple inside won't be abandoned and it's not a new temple. A pelinggih is a security temple outside. Its part of the whole thing...so for the big ceremonies you have to pray everywhere but for the daily offerings the pelinggih will do it
P.S. that's how I learned it but culture is a complex thing
