Why I am Inspired by the Island of Bali

I first arrived in Bali in 1974 and fell I love with the Island. On the Island of Bali there is a link to enlightenment. The beliefs of the Balinese are a living force that pervades the island, it sings of love. The love of making an offering of woven palm leaves and beautiful flowers, or lighting a stick of incense or by chanting a Mantra.

 

Bali Hinduism is a combination of elements from Indian Shivaite and Buddhist traditions with older beliefs and practices. One of the oldest names for the Balinese religion is "Agama Tirtha" or religion of Holy waters. Tirtha (holy water) has always been used in Hindu religious ceremonies. The word tirtha comes from Sanskrit and means 'holy' or 'to cleanse'. The holy water possesses the means of opening our hearts to prayer.

The aim of Agama Hindu Bali (the religion of most Balinese) is to reach peace of spirit and harmony in this material life. In practicing their faith, Hindu communities try to achieve a spiritual balance of worship between Tattwa (philosophy), Susila (etiquette/morals), and Upacara (rituals). In Bali there are two ways to pray: 'mbakti' and 'muspa'. The first is worship through devotion, the second shows respect with flowers.

According to the Balinese the Universe is divided into three realms: the realm of the gods, the realm of the demons and ground spirits and the realm of the people. Their universe is divided into three areas; the mountains are the home of the gods; the sea where the powerful forces of dissolutions dwell; and the intermediary region, where people live. This three part layout is repeated endlessly in the villages, homes and shrines of Bali.

Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. This is because there are thousands of temples from the state temples Bali's (Sad Kahyangan) six major temples honored by all the Balinese (we will visit three of the six) to Village temples, every village has three the Puri Puseh or ancestor temple nearest the mountains, the Puri Desa the central village temple and the Puri Dalem or temple dedicated to Siwa, or the god of dissolution, usually nearest to the cremation ground. Then every home has temples and shrines. Finally, there are temples in the rice fields dedicated to Dewi Sri, goddess of Rice. Of course the Balinese honor nature, and power spots like Banyan trees, Caves, and rivers they bring offerings to.

Balinese religion is embedded in deep tradition of animism and the veneration of ancestors. Their Hindu gods are abstractions associated with natural forces. Vishnu with rain and water, Brahma with Creativity Fire and volcanoes. Shiva with flowers and wind. This is the Hindu Trinity Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva (Siwa) the renewer. The Supreme Being is referred to as Sang Hyang Widhi Wisa. He falls in line with religious beliefs that resolve around a single god of whom all other gods are manifestations.

Hinduism is a monotheistic religion with one Godhead. In Bali, this is called Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa or Sang Hyang Tunggal or Sang Hyang Cintya. These are all words for the one God. Hinduism is often misunderstood as being a faith with many Gods and Goddesses (Dewas and Bhataris). These other Gods are merely the realization or manifestations of the holy rays from the One God.

The word Dewa (Deva) comes from the Sanskrit word Dev, meaning ray. Bhatara comes from the word Bhar, meaning protector. The Dewas (holy manifestations of God), which appear most often in Balinese religion are called the Tri Murti, or sometimes the Holy Trinity.

·         Brahma - The creator

·         Wisnu - The preserver

·         Ciwa - The destroyer or returner

Love,

Jim Omi Cramer

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My Trip to Bali – guest post by Antonia Albany

Travel broadens our outlook on life. It educates us to the ways of other cultures and different beliefs as well as to more visible differences in customs, dress, food and entertainment. Nowhere are these differences more fascinating to experience than in Bali.

Despite my extensive travels and residences around the world, I knew very little about Bali or

Indonesia. As a senior, I have to feel safe and cared for to enjoy traveling. I felt both during my two week sojourn with Spirit Tours. I also felt embraced and venerated by the Balinese people, who hold their elders in high regard.

Bali is a land of thousands of temples, many of which were established  as early as 1,000 A.D. In these places of worship, holy men, withered and bent in old age, perform blessings for locals as well as any tourists willing to dress appropriately, in sarongs, and to learn the proper procedures to receive the blessings of prayer, with flowers and wetted rice, the latter of which was placed on our foreheads and in the hallows of our necks.

Five months previous to my trip I had lost my husband of twenty-four year__s, and it seemed during temple visits that these elders were comforting me with their blessings. The rice stuck to my tear-streaked cheeks as well as my forehead, and, as I looked into their faces, I felt the lifetimes of service and devotion that they’d blessed upon their countrymen and visitors.

Bali’s landscape is comprised of luxurious rice fields, peaceful rolling hills, and open land thick with vegetation. The city of Ubud is the artistic and cultural center of Bali. There we enjoyed the elaborate costumes and choreography of delicate Balinese dancers as they told stories through traditional dances. With expressive make-up and bright and illustrious fabrics woven into native dresses, these quiet and unassuming performers were transformed into exciting and picturesque storytellers. I was mesmerized each and every time by them and the musicians who accompanied them.

The traffic was a tourist sight in and of itself. Don’t plan to drive in Bali.  Even if you’re a passenger, it’s best to keep your eyes closed … it’s that scary. No stop lights, no traffic lanes, no right-of-way signs, and hundreds and hundreds of motorcycles, many loaded with families of three or four! And yet it worked.
Horn honking and road rage were noticeably absent. There were very few accidents, and no flipping anyone off. At one point, a funeral procession was making its way, on foot, down the center of a two-lane road. In a show of respect, all traffic stopped while ashes were cast off a bridge next to the road. No one
complained about the forty-five minutes it took to conclude the ceremony.

In addition to the sights and sounds and smells of this tiny island, the stand-out attraction is its people. The Balinese are uncomplicated, honest people who are devoted to the concept of karma. Put simply, those who are good, will receive good, and vice versa. Thus, there is relatively little crime in Bali. People truly love serving where they can bring joy into the lives of family, friends, and everyone they meet. Without exception,

employees in the hotels, shops, restaurants, markets, and spas worked diligently to create a pleasurable experience for the customer, not so much to make themselves look good but purely to please. I can honestly say I have never been so genuinely embraced and moved by the people in any other foreign country I have visited.

I hope to return to Bali one day to see more temples, eat more delicious foods, and, most importantly, to visit the kind and generous Balinese people. I will always feel welcome there.

Check out Antonia’s Senior Moments weekly blog at
antoniasseniormoments@blogspot.com

Memories of Japan

On a recent pilgrimage to Japan we visited Daisen-in Zen Temple in Kyoto and I gave my Obama button to the Abbot of the Monastery Roshi Ozen Oseki. He was delighted and gave me two thumbs up.

On the pilgrimage led by Rev. Kim Kaiser and Rev. Joyce Duffala we stayed at a monastery at Mt. Koya, visited the temple Sanjusagendo (1001) Kuan Yins in Kyoto;and the beautiful Ryonanji Zen Gardens.

We strolled along the "Philosophers Walk" visiting Ginkakuji Temple and visited Daitokuji Zen Temple early that morning. We went to Nara and saw the largest Buddha Image in the world and visited Kurama and soaked in the hotsprings.

My Favorite was visiting Daitokuji and visiting with Roshi Oseki.