The Wisdom of Bali: Meaningful, Symbolic, Ethical, and Spiritual Balinese Way of Life.
()
About this ebook
With its reputation as one of the most stunning and diverse tourist destinations in Asia, Bali attracts nearly 1,000,000 visitors from around the world each year. Geographically situated between the islands of Java and Lombok, Bali is one of over 17,000 islands that comprise the Indonesian Archipelago. It is famously known as the "Island of Gods" and has been featured in The Lonely Planet.
As the only island where the majority of its population practices Hinduism, Bali possesses a unique identity among the predominantly Muslim population of Indonesia. Hinduism is deeply rooted as the source of values, philosophy, and ethics for the Balinese people. It can be said that there is no single aspect of life in Bali that does not contain philosophical, spiritual, symbolic, or ethical meaning. This richness of culture, traditions, and religion is what makes Bali truly special.
This book can help you understand the symbolic meanings behind each tradition, ritual, and religious practice of the Balinese community. It can also serve as a travel guide before you visit Bali, ensuring that you respect the ethics, traditions, and regulations that are highly valued not only by the Balinese people but also by the entire Indonesian society.
This book can also be used as a motivational and spiritual book to heal your soul.
Ahmad Dzikran
Hello, my name is Ahmad Dzikran. Actually, I am a freelance architect, but I also love to write. Therefore, I have written several books in Indonesia and Malaysia, two of which have become best sellers. They are "Kuasai Dirimu" (Best Seller Indonesia for 5 consecutive years) and "Kalimah Allah Milik Siapa" (Best Seller Malaysia 2013).I have already published several e-books and books on Amazon, such as "Wisdom of Java," "Wisdom of Bali," "Hasta Brata," and others. Hopefully, more titles will follow soon. Just wait and see.You can contact me through my personal Instagram account @ahmaddzikran or the publisher @digibooks.info.
Related to The Wisdom of Bali
Related ebooks
They Came to Malaya Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Journey Through Bali & Lombok Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLocations of Buddhism: Colonialism and Modernity in Sri Lanka Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bali The Legendary Isle Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Balinese Architecture Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A Visit to Java: With an Account of the Founding of Singapore Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsdMAC Digest Volume 5 No 3 ~ Djakarta Journal # 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIrish History & Mythology: Exploring The History, Celtic Myths, Folklore, Sagas, Traditions of Ireland Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAncient India, Rise and Fall: Ancient Worlds and Civilizations, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Story of Malacca Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Ecstasy of Enlightenment: Teachings of Natural Tantra Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCapturing Bali: Photography by Vivian Gallogly Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Secrets of Tantric Buddhism: Understanding the Ecstasy of Enlightenment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAsian History Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Beothuk Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBalinese Temples Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Tingguians Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Kingdoms of Central Africa - History of the Ancient World | Children's History Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFind Your Place in History - South West: Of Fishing Folk, Pirates and Swampland: Singapore Bicentennial Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMurni's Very Personal Guide to Ubud Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWaipi’O Valley: A Polynesian Journey from Eden to Eden Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMonumental Java Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSummary of Valerie Hansen's The Silk Road Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGold and the Chinese: Racism, Riots and Protest on the Australian Goldfields Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsVoyages of Malolo: Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPalau: a Cultural Geography Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWaipi’O Valley: A Polynesian Journey from Eden to Eden Volume 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTales of old Batavia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHistory Digest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Self-Improvement For You
Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Self-Care for People with ADHD: 100+ Ways to Recharge, De-Stress, and Prioritize You! Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Big Book of 30-Day Challenges: 60 Habit-Forming Programs to Live an Infinitely Better Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Believe Everything You Think: Why Your Thinking Is The Beginning & End Of Suffering Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Chop Wood Carry Water: How to Fall In Love With the Process of Becoming Great Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Stolen Life: A Memoir Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Quick, & Magnetic Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Less Fret, More Faith: An 11-Week Action Plan to Overcome Anxiety Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How May I Serve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Think and Grow Rich (Illustrated Edition): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Child Called It: One Child's Courage to Survive Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Mastery of Self: A Toltec Guide to Personal Freedom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5You're Not Dying You're Just Waking Up Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Reviews for The Wisdom of Bali
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Wisdom of Bali - Ahmad Dzikran
The Wisdom of Bali
Meaningful, Symbolic, Ethical, and Spiritual Balinese Way of Life
Ahmad Dzikran
(@ahmaddzikran)
Copyright © 2016, Ahmad Dzikran. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Table of Contents
Support Us
Chapter 1: History of Bali
A. Of Early Traders And Olden Kingdoms
B. Mighty Majapahit And Golden Bali
C. Of Foreign Tricks And Trade
D. Colonial Rule And Dutch Rules
E. Independence
F. Bali Aga, The Indigenous People of Bali
Chapter 2: Daily Life Wisdom
A. Paras-Paros
B. Menyamabraya
C. Matilesang Raga
D. Nawang Lek
E. Tri Hita Karana
Chapter 3: Social Hierarchy And Consequence of Deeds
A. Catur Warna
Concept and Function of Caste
Caste Rules and Taboos
Status Changes
B. Mulat Sarira
Karma as A Law
D. Tri Kaya Parisudha
B. Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha
Chapter 4: Subak Water Management System (How Balinese Respect The Water)
A. Subak Organizational Structure
B. Subak Irrigation Network
C. Subak Ceremony
Chapter 5: Symbols And Meaning In Balinese Festivals
A. Tattwa, Susila, And Upacara
B. Saraswati Day
C. Full Moon Ceremony
D. Galungan And Kuningan
What Happen And Where?
Brief History and Legend
E. Nyepi
Different Kinds of New Year Celebrations
Before The Silence
When The Whole Island Shuts Down
Ngembak Geni, The Day After Nyepi
Chapter 6: Symbolic And Philosophical Thinking In Balinese Architecture
A. Tri Angga
Tri Angga in Bhuana Alit (Human Body)
Tri Angga in House or Building
Tri Angga For House Yard
Tri Angga In Village or Town Layout Design
Tri Angga In Regions
B. Tri Loka
C. Application of Asta Kosala-Kosali and Asta Bumi
Layout in House Building
Determine Building Entrance
D. Cosmological Orientation – Nawa Sanga Mandala
Chapter 7: Closing Words
About The Author
Other Books By Author
1) The Wisdom of Java – 12 Pillars of Motivational Life (Indonesian Wisdom Series #1)
2) Hasta Brata – Leadership Book of Ancient Java (Indonesian Wisdom Series #3)
I: History of Bali
Bali Island, with a total area of approximately 5561 kilometers square, is located between Java and Lombok islands. Because of its cultural authenticity, Bali has attracted the world’s attention. Many people from around the world visited this Pulau Dewata (Island of Gods – a popular nickname for Bali) either as tourists or as scientists since earlier centuries.
According to the record of John Crawfurd (British author) who wrote History of the Indian Archipelago, the origin of the name Bali was Nusa Kambangan or Floating Island. His testimony was based on his investigation result of a classic Balinese book called Kidung Surapati which he read twice.
Such a description was justified by Dutch author Theodore Thomas Pigeaud, who said the same thing as Crawfurd. Pigeaud’s opinion was written down in his essay book titled de Tantu Panggelaran, page 265. Pigeaud described unequivocally that the designation of Nusa Kambangan in the classic manuscript referred to Bali Island, not Nusa Kambangan Island which is located in southern Java now.
In addition, there was also testimony by H.B. Groeneveldt, another Dutch author, in a book titled Notes on the Malay Archipelago and Malacca. Hesaid that in the ancient time, Javanese people used to call Bali as Brahmana because the island was inhabited by Brahmanas (Hindu priests). They were considered leaders or mentors of the Balinese people to head toward progress based on their ancient customs. But what about the opinion of the Balinese people themselves about the origin of their island’s name? They are often unable to explain clearly and scientifically, except referring to local mythology and tales. However, some Balinese community leaders who are considered language experts stated that the word Bali means ‘firm’ or ‘strong’. Others said it means ‘noble’ or ‘principal’. This definition is presumably influenced by the pride or sense of nationality that encourages fellow tribesmen to firmly hold the legacy of traditional customs in reverence to their ancestors.
Bali has certainly been populated since early prehistoric times, but the oldest human artifacts found are 3000-year-old stone tools and earthenware vessels from Cekik. Not much is known about Bali during the period when Indian traders brought Hinduism to the Indonesian archipelago, but the earliest written records are stone inscriptions dating from around the 9th century. By that time, rice was being grown under the complex irrigation system known as subak, and there were precursors of the religious and cultural traditions that can be traced to the present day.
A Bronze Age people of Chinese and Vietnamese descent from the Dong Son area of Vietnam arrived in Bali in the 3rd century B.C.; they brought bronze, copper, and iron. Their first sites were in the northwest at Cekik near what is now Gilimanuk and also the inland of Sembiran. Evidence from these sites indicates a population of fishermen, hunters, and farmers. Their graves show evidence of metallurgy and that they had by this stage acquired the skills to cast or smelt copper, bronze, and iron.
The lasting influence for much of Bali came from the Indian traders who arrived around the 1st century A.D. These peaceful merchants also brought Hinduism to the island. By the 5th century, a