Bali is a beach destination renowned for stunning sunsets overlooking its shores, great Beach Clubs, and endless Shopping. Why not grab a chance to learn about religion in Bali on your Bali tour this time?
The majority of Indonesians are Muslim, but the major religion in Bali island is strongly rooted in Balinese Hinduism, representing a distinct form of Hinduism incorporating local animism, ancestor worship, and reverence for Buddhism.
About 87% of Balinese people identify themselves as Hindus, and that is about 1.7% of the total Indonesian population. The Balinese religious beliefs centre around the concept of Agama Tirtha Dharma, or Holy Water Religion.
An important belief of Balinese Hinduism is that every element in nature is influenced by the spirit. By worshipping their ancestors and the lands that they have inherited, the Balinese follow a rich culture that merges traditions, wisdom, nature, and aesthetics. Come, let's delve deeper to understand Bali’s religion!
Balinese Hinduism is based on the Indian trinity concept called Trimurti, meaning Three Supremes or Gods, consisting of:
- Brahma
- Wisnu or Vishnu
- Siwa or Shiva
In the local language, some Gods are also called Sang Hyang Embang or Sang Hyang Parama Kawi. The major religion in Bali island also sees a lot of worship to nature Gods such as Dewi, the rice Goddess, and Saraswati, the water Goddess, as well as mountain and river Gods.
Temples in Bali serve as a medium for this connection between the Gods and the spiritual realm with humans(bhuwa) and allow tourists to witness the cultural side of Bali at its best.
One of the key rituals of Bali’s main religion, Hinduism, is the daily offerings to spirits and ancestors.
According to the Balinese religious culture, people believe in dharma, which means one’s life path or one’s duty. If followed, life is in order and harmony, whereas when it is not followed, it creates an imbalance. The opposite of dharma, then, is adharma, which brings disorientation and chaos.
The Balinese always strive to maintain a balance between these two aspects of their life. They offer daily offerings in the temples and shrines for the lower spirits and Gods alike, as they clearly understand that both forces are part of their existence and can appear in diverse experiences.
By transcending the notion of good or bad, the Balinese people strive to find harmony, balance in every situation, and ultimately emotional freedom, that is moksha, meaning liberation from external circumstances and the endless cycle of birth and death, that is samsara( World).
