|
|
|
A Blend of Faith
THE form of Hinduism that is unique to Bali is called Agama Hindu Dharma, which is really a blend of Shivaism and Buddhism. The strong emphasis on the power of nature and the nature elements and of the ancestors reflect the president presence of indigenous beliefs in Balinese Hinduism. The underlying principle which shapes the Hindu beliefs is the notion that the universe is specifically ordered and organized rather than haphazardly random, but that a balance must be kept between the negative and positive forces to maintain this order. The essence of Hinduism, then, is the desire to promote equilibrium between order (dharma) and disorder (adharma). The belief in reincarnation (samsara) provides Hindus with the incentive to act according to dharma and behave appropriately. Ultimately the future form one takes after death will depend on how successful they have been in this quest, the cycle of death and new life continuing until eventually the soul is freed from desire and blends in with the universe in a state known as 'moksa'. |
|
| Copyright © 2002, Bali-Island.com Indonesia |