Early Records
According to archaeological evidence, yoga has been practiced in Bali for more than a century. The evidence of the early practice of yoga is documented in numerous inscriptions and other written sources. Several actual yogic caves from that era were discovered.
Yoga in the 9th Century Bali resembles its original shape in its first development as an ascetic contemplative practice for soteriological purposes.
Asceticism in The Inscriptions
THE HERMITAGES
There are 16 inscriptions from 882 CE to 1040 CE that mentioned hermitages. The term for hermitage is patapan (a place to do tapa). Other than patapan, the word to denote a hermitage in the inscriptions is katyagan, which literally means “place for the tyagi (renouncers).” One Katyagan mentioned in the inscriptions is Katyagan Amaravati, identified as Pakerisan Yogic Caves.
THE ASCETICS
The ascetics dwelling in the hermitage are called bhikṣu (mendicant). The inscriptions tell us that the ascetics (bhikṣu) were not entirely renunciants during that time. The evidence shows that the ascetics can have a wife, and there are regulations regarding the distribution of ascetics’ possessions following their death. Among those possessions are cows, gold, lands, etc. But there is also mentioned about itinerant monk/ mendicant (wiku dāridra) that indicates several kinds of ascetics are exist during that time.
The Yogic Caves
Besides the hermitage mentioned in the inscriptions, there are also several actual hermitages in the form of yogic caves discovered around Gianyar and Bangli.
The Gunung Kawi Site and Elephant Cave in the Gianyar Regency are the most popular and have the best condition. But various smaller hermitages across the Pakerisan River spread until the Melangit River in the Bangli area.
The hermitage around the Gunung Kawi Site is mentioned in 1022 CE inscriptions and called Amaravati Ashrama.
The caves in the Gunung Kawi sites are quite massive compared to other surviving hermitage sites. The cave is modeled like a house carved along the cliff, enough for several hermits to dwell. There are also several cliff-carved candis, believed to be the memorial for King Udaya of the Varmadeva Dynasty. He reigned during the 10th century CE.
A less-known yogic cave:
- Tegal Linggah Site, which also has some sort of main carved candi.
- Yeh Pulu Site, Tambahan (Bangli),
- Bebitra Site, which are decorated with beautiful reliefs.
- Candi Jehem, which only a stupa remains.
- Candi Tambahan Tembuku, now endangered.
Characteristics of the Yogic Caves
- They are built on a cliff situated in a remote area near a watershed, which differs from the hermitage mentioned in the inscriptions that are usually built in the urban area.
- Near the cave, candis carved on the cliff or standing independently are also found.
- There are some arca (statuettes) in the caves, indicating the ascetics' devotional activities.
- The caves are the place for both Saiva and Buddhist followers to do yoga practices
- The caves have a natural fountain and are even near a waterfall and a bathing place that might be used for purification.