The Religion of the Balinese People: A Detailed Overview

The Balinese people, indigenous inhabitants of the Indonesian island of Bali, primarily practice a unique form of Hinduism known as Balinese Hinduism or Agama Hindu Dharma. This religion is a fascinating blend of indigenous Balinese beliefs, Hinduism (particularly the Shaivite tradition), Buddhism, and animistic traditions that have evolved over centuries.

Origins and History of Balinese Hinduism

 

Balinese Hinduism traces its roots to the 1st century CE when Indian traders brought Hindu influences to Indonesia. However, it became firmly established between the 8th-16th centuries during various Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms in Indonesia, particularly the Majapahit Empire (1293-1527).

When Islam spread through most of Indonesia in the 15th-16th centuries, Bali became a refuge for Hindu aristocrats, priests and intellectuals from Java, which helped preserve and develop this unique religious tradition. Unlike Indian Hinduism which has evolved over time, Balinese Hinduism maintains many elements of the ancient Hindu traditions that came to Indonesia centuries ago.

Core Beliefs and Practices

The Hindu Trinity

Balinese Hindus worship the Hindu trinity of:

• Brahma (the creator)
• Vishnu (the preserver)
• Shiva (the destroyer and regenerator)

However, there’s a strong emphasis on Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (the “All-in-one God”), a monotheistic concept introduced in the 20th century to conform with Indonesia’s official requirement that all recognized religions must believe in one supreme God.

Karma in Balinese Hinduism

The concept of karma (called “karma phala” in Balinese) is central to Balinese Hinduism, as it is in other Hindu traditions. Key aspects include:

1. Law of Cause and Effect: Every action (physical, verbal or mental) has consequences that will affect one’s current or future lives.
2. Moral Framework: Good deeds (subha karma) lead to positive outcomes while bad deeds (asubha karma) lead to suffering.
3. Rebirth Connection: One’s accumulated karma determines the quality of future rebirths in the cycle of samsara (reincarnation).
4. Daily Practice: Balinese perform rituals and good deeds partly to accumulate positive karma and mitigate negative karma.
5. Community Aspect: Karma is not just individual but can affect families and communities, which is why communal rituals are so important.

Other Key Concepts

• Moksha: Liberation from the cycle of rebirth
• Samsara: The cycle of death and rebirth
• Dharma: Moral duty and right way of living

Unique Balinese Elements

1. Animistic Traditions: Worship of natural elements, spirits and ancestors
2. Local Deities: Like Dewi Sri (rice goddess) and Barong (protective spirit)
3. Complex Ritual Calendar: Based on the 210-day Pawukon cycle
4. Temple System: Every village has at least three main temples (Pura Puseh, Pura Desa, Pura Dalem)
5. Offerings (Canang sari): Daily offerings made from palm leaves, flowers and food

Religious Practices

 

1. Daily Offerings: Households make small offerings (canang sari) daily
2. Temple Festivals (Odalan): Celebrated every 210 days according to the Pawukon calendar
3. Life Cycle Rituals: From tooth filing (metatah) to cremation (ngaben)
4. Sacred Dances: Like the Barong, Legong and Kecak dances which have religious significance
5. Gamelan Music: Used in religious ceremonies

Demographics and Statistics

• About 83.5% of Bali’s 4.2 million people identify as Hindu (BPS Bali, 2020)
• Balinese Hindus make up nearly 90% of Indonesia’s Hindu minority (about 4.6 million nationwide)
• Small minorities of Balinese are Muslim, Christian or Buddhist

Official Recognition

In Indonesia, Balinese Hinduism is officially recognized as Agama Hindu Dharma and is one of six state-sanctioned religions (along with Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism and Confucianism).

Useful Resources for Further Reading:

1. Academic Overview:
   • Balinese Hinduism – Oxford Bibliographies
   • The Hindu-Buddhist Heritage of Bali – Asia Society
2. Balinese Hinduism and Karma:
   • Karma in Balinese Hinduism – Bali.com
   • Balinese Hindu Philosophy – Bali Advertiser
3. Cultural Practices:
   • Balinese Rituals and Offerings – BBC Travel
   • Balinese Temple System – Bali Around
4. Official Statistics:
   • Bali Population Data – BPS Bali

Balinese Hinduism remains a vibrant, living tradition that shapes nearly every aspect of life on the island, from daily routines to grand ceremonies, all underpinned by the fundamental belief in karma and dharma.