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This ebook discusses the meanings, philosophical foundations, and logic behind Balinese offerings and rituals. We will also explore the entanglement of Balinese offerings and rituals with yoga practices, how it is used as a yantra (meditative tool), and how to perform “yogic rituals” based on Balinese Tantric perspectives.
Other than providing deeper perspectives about Balinese offerings and rituals, this ebook is also expected to offer insights into spiritual practices (sadhāna) in general. Despite the discussion being “local,” the underlying principles can be adopted universally.
Religion in Bali is also called Agama Tirtha which means The Religion of Holy Water. The teaching of Agama Tirtha focuses on the three aspects, namely Igama (dealing with Ultimate Reality), Agama (creating harmony with others), and Ugama (creating the harmony of the whole universe). Thus, the three aspects of Agama Tirtha are about the harmony of life.
Gama Tirtha is a holistic and integrative spiritual path. It’s not just about “seeking heaven after death,” or “worshiping a God out there.” Agama Tirtha invites us to realize divinity in life and create heaven on Earth.
Bhisma Parwa, the 6th book of Mahabharata was also rewritten at this time. It is not a word-by-word translation, but a recomposition into Old Javanese (Kawi) language.
The term “Bhagawad Gita Nusantara” refers to that part of the Bhisma Parwa manuscripts. It is not composed as slokas, as in its Sanskrit version, but an abridged prose.
Krishna himself said that his teachings to Arjuna are the science of yoga (yoga-shastra). It’s not just meditative yoga, let alone postural training, but yoga as a way of life.
Mpu Kanwa is a poet scholar from Kediri Kingdom (10-11th CE). He write a kavya work entitled Arjuna Wiwaha (The Marriage of Arjuna). A thousand-year since it was written, this epic song is still one of the most popular among Balinese people.
But it’s not just the beauty of the song that Mpu Kanwa wants to present. He also inserted teachings on Yoga and wellbeing in his work.
This ebook will invite you to explore the teachings of Mpu Kanwa and examine them from the perspective of Modern Psychology, as well as their implementation in our daily life.
The word “bali” means offering, also called “banten” by Balinese. Therefore, do not be surprised if the island of Bali is filled with offering activities and religious rituals.
However, these offerings not only serve as a tribute to the gods. According to a pre-modern Balinese manuscript, an offering is a yantra (yogic tool). As a tool, it should be used not merely served.
This ebook will invite you to see the depth of the meaning of Balinese offerings.
Calon Arang and Mpu Bharadah are the two most popular figures in Balinese legend. While Calon Arang is believed to be the queen of black magic (queen of leyak), Mpu Bharadah is the ancestor of the Brahmins (Pedanda) in Bali.
However, from a study of the existing literature, Calon Arang is not a magician, but a Yogini, a Tantrika. This paper presents the teachings of “Left-handed Tantra” which were practiced about a thousand years ago.
Apart from popular beliefs, the teachings of Calon Arang is not destructive, but highly constructive. Her practice is yogic practices.