One of the special features of Bali is the faith that is practised there, Balinese Hinduism. The religion plays a very important role for the Balinese Hindu population and is reflected in many situations in everyday life. The Balinese-Hindu faith is a special form of Hinduism.
The Balinese belief is based on the ancient Malay animism, which assumes that all parts of nature are ensouled. The Hindu and Buddhist influences have complemented the original belief. The fusion of these different beliefs has ultimately given rise to the very own Hinduism in Bali, which is officially referred to as ‘Agama Hindu Dharma’. You can find out more about Balinese Hinduism in the following article.
Information and an overview of the topic of religion in Bali can be found here.
History of Hinduism in Bali
It is not clear exactly when Hinduism reached Bali. However, it is certain that there were Hindu influences in what is now Indonesia as early as the first century AD. These influences, along with Buddhist currents, can be traced back to Indian traders who came to several Indonesian islands via the historic Silk Road.
The emergence of a separate religious movement
The population of the Indonesian islands adopted both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. These religious worldviews merged with the already existing native folk religion and animistic beliefs. This gave rise to a very distinct religious tradition, which is now regarded as a special form of Hinduism.
Over the centuries, the Hindu-Buddhist beliefs spread further and further throughout the Indonesian archipelago. These influences reached their peak in the 14th century with the last and greatest Hindu-Buddhist Javanese empire, called Majapahit.
Hinduism on Bali has survived to this day
In the 15th century, the Majapahit empire began to decline. The main reason for this is considered to be that Muslim traders from Arabia, India, Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula as well as China began to dominate regional trade. Trade had previously been controlled by Javanese Majapahit traders. Due to the growing influence of Muslims, Islam spread more and more in Indonesia, largely displacing Hinduism. However, Bali has retained its Hindu identity.
During the Dutch colonial rule in Indonesia, Hinduism was deliberately suppressed in Bali. However, this did not cause the Balinese to give up their faith. Rather, Hinduism became stronger than ever in Bali. The background to this is that the Balinese strictly defended their religion and culture against the oppression.
Bali has largely preserved its Hindu culture to this day and is the only island in Indonesia with a population that is mostly Hindu.
Basis of Hinduism in Bali
Hinduism in Bali is deeply integrated into the lives of the Balinese and is reflected accordingly in their everyday lives. For example, offerings in the temples and shrines are an important part of the daily routine. The offerings are intended for the gods.
Views on Hinduism in Bali
The concept of good and evil is viewed differently in Bali than in Western cultures. Both forces exist in parallel and are part of something greater. The Balinese strive to find harmony and balance in every situation in life. Ultimately, they seek to achieve emotional freedom and liberation from Samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death. For the Balinese, there are three levels of the cosmos that influence their lives. The highest level is that of the gods, the middle level is that of humans, and the lowest is that of demons. This division is also reflected in their belief in the human body, which is represented as a head, body and feet. The feet are considered the most unholy part of the human body, unless they are the feet of a guru.
In harmony with higher powers
The Balinese Hindu philosophy teaches the Balinese that the world consists of a duality of opposites that complement each other and are part of a larger whole. They believe that each person has their own role and purpose in life and that it is important to fulfil this with humility and dignity. Through the practice of offerings and various rituals, the Balinese believe that they can influence and live in harmony with nature and cosmic forces. Overall, Hinduism in Bali reflects a deep understanding of the world and the cosmos, which is implemented by the Balinese in their daily activities and practices. The faith is an important source of identity and cultural unity for the Balinese. It also plays a significant role in their history and society.
