Balinese Hinduism is more than just a religion; it’s a way of life. It dictates everything in the Balinese journey, from how to treat others, how to respect the environment, and how to be in connection with the gods and the spirits of the ancestors. Their faith is governed by the main principle of Tri Hita Karana, which directly translates as “the three causes of wellbeing.” In order to truly grasp the nuances of the Balinese way of life, it’s crucial to first understand Tri Hita Karana and how it influences the way people live.
What is Tri Hita Karana?
Tri Hita Karana is the underlying principle of Balinese Hinduism. It guides how a man should live in relation to their God, nature, and each other. “Hita” is Sanskrit for “wellbeing” or “harmony,” so this philosophy therefore places an emphasis on harmonious living. The Balinese believe that a good and prosperous life is the result of achieving a balance of harmony with the Divine, nature, and man.
Let’s further break down these aspects of harmony.
Parahyangan: harmony with the Divine
The first element of Tri Hita Karana is harmony with God or Parahyangan. The Balinese believe in the Supreme God, Sang Hyang Widi. Every other god is believed to be the various iterations of this one God.
Maintaining harmony with the Divine is done through several religious rites. Every ritual, prayer, and ceremony is meant to continuously sanctify the earthly aspects and honour the Divine.
Daily offerings
Canang Sari are daily offerings consisting of rice, flowers, and incense, which are offered up in household altars, temples, and shrines. These symbolise gratitude to the gods.
Temple visits
The Balinese will often go to worship at the temple. This can be done at the family altar at home, the local village temple, or larger public temples with a bigger crowd.
Religious ceremonies
The island’s various religious ceremonies are meant to connect mankind to the Divine. Many of them are for the purposes of purification of body and mind, in order to be worthy of the gods. Ceremonies such as Melukat and Melasti involve purification by water at water temples or in the ocean.
Palemahan: harmony with nature
The second aspect of Tri Hita Karana is the relationship between man and nature, also known as Palemahan. Nature is believed to be a gift from the gods for mankind, and must therefore be treated and protected as such.
Sacred sites
Bali designates certain nature areas as sacred. The Ubud Monkey Forest and Mount Agung are just two examples of these sites. While these locations are still open for tourist activities, there are rituals performed regularly to honour the spirits that are believed to reside here.
Conservation
Despite the current state of overdevelopment on the island, the principles of Tri Hita Karana instills that nature, from trees and land to coasts and coral reefs, should be conserved.
Nyepi
Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, is not just a time for man to reconnect with the Divine. When the entire island shuts down, it also gives a chance for nature to rest from its hard work of hosting human activities.
Pawongan: harmony with each other
Tri Hita Karana also places importance on harmony among man. This is reflected in the Balinese collectivist culture.
Banjar system
The banjar is a traditional community system established to maintain a supportive village. This system dictates rules about religious ceremonies, conflict resolution, and social welfare, where decisions are made collectively.
Gotong Royong
While this is more of an Indonesian ideology, the idea of mutual cooperation applies in Bali as well. Villages and communities would work voluntarily on tasks such as maintaining the temples, farming, and even disaster relief. These tasks strengthen the social bonds and ensures a sense of belonging, making sure no one is left behind.
A key part of Balinese ceremonies is food. Families across Bali would come together to prepare the food offerings for every big holiday, to bring to the temple and enjoy together. Experience a part of Balinese culture for yourself by exploring the island’s local tastes at Merah Putih Restaurant. Book a table with exclusive gift vouchers now, and don’t miss out on a delectable fine dining Indonesian meal.
FAQ
Tri Hita Karana directly translates to “the three causes of wellbeing.” It is the underlying principle of Balinese Hinduism. It guides how a man should live in relation to their God, nature, and each other. This philosophy places an emphasis on harmonious living. The Balinese believe that a good and prosperous life is the result of achieving a balance of harmony with the Divine, nature, and man.
Tri Hita Karana focuses on the harmony between man and the Divine (Parahyangan), man and nature (Palemahan), and man and each other (Pawongan).
Pawongan is reflected in the Balinese collectivist culture. The banjar system ensures that local communities function collectively as a unit that supports one another. The culture of Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation) also strengthens social bonds.
Dine More, Spend Less!
Grab your exclusive gift voucher on Chope today
Up to 20!
Claim Your Voucher!
