Where will I be this August? Can you believe it, finally ~ Bali!
existence. –Mircea Eliade
The vast majority of the Balinese believe in Agama Tirta, "holy-water
religion". It is a Shivaitea sect of Hinduism. Water plays a vital
role in Balinese life and is the central spiritual belief of the Balinese belief in the Agama
Tirta, "holy-water religion". In Bali, where they grow rice, “rice paddies” equals “jewel” equals “mind.” (Tim O'Reilly )
-Water, represented by a circle in the Hindu tradition, symbolizes wholeness and the un-manifest. -The Balinese revere water for its mysterious potential, its power to make things grow, and as a medium for spiritual regeneration.
means ‘holy’ or to ‘cleanse’) is the doorway to the adoration of God: Unless an offering, ceremony or person has been purified by tirtha, they are not able to receive God’s blessings.
As they daily walk in the world they understand that negative energies naturally adhere to one’s body, mind and soul. Balinese ritually take two baths daily to purify their etheric, emotional, mental and physical bodies.
A more practical application of the Balinese instinctual
reverence for water is in the creation of the ‘subak’ irrigation system. The philosophy is in maintaining the harmonious relationship between human, Nature and God. And not only that, the sacred subak is a very sophisticated form of ecological management!!
Water temples are crucial to the effectiveness of the irrigation system. The water temples that you see in the rice fields serve as spiritual anchoring points. Farmers place the smaller temples at the entry point of the irrigated water with offerings to the Dewi Sri (rice goddess).
Om Swastyastu & [email protected]
References:
http://www.worldwatercouncil.org
Water: The Great Mystery Part I www.disclose.tv
http://www.balidiscovery.com
http://www.biwatour.com/the-coming-water-crisis-in-bali/
Balinese Cosmology and Its Role in Agricultural Practices by Julie
Melowsky
A Spiritual Landscape by David Zurick
The Function of Water (Tirtha) in Balinese Hindu Rituals by
Ida Ayu Made Puspani and Ni Wayan Sukarini
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