A day of silence<\/p>\n
Amid the turmoil that is currently pervading this country and
\nthe world, the Balinese and other Indonesians who adhere to the
\nHindu Dharma faith across the archipelago, will tomorrow, on
\nApril 2, once again be observing Nyepi -- that special day that
\nmost international tourists to the island know as the Hindu
\n(Balinese) "day of silence".<\/p>\n
In Bali civilian neighborhood wards known as pecalang will
\nguard public places and intersections to make sure that no fires
\nor lights are lit anywhere, no loud noises are made or
\nconversations held, no work is done, nothing amusing occurs and
\nno outings are held.<\/p>\n
To the Balinese, and all the other adherents of the Hindu
\nDharma faith elsewhere, however, those are only the outward
\naspects of Nyepi. In essence, Nyepi -- the new year of the Saka
\nlunar calendar -- is a day of inward contemplation and
\nintrospection, of cleansing one's mind and one's physical body
\nand of striving towards a better life.<\/p>\n
It is a day of renewing one's intention to practice tolerance
\nand to resolve problems by peaceful means only, in accordance
\nwith the Hindu philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which strives
\ntowards a harmonious relationship between man and his creator,
\ntowards other human beings and towards the surrounding natural
\nenvironment. Every year, therefore, Nyepi is faithfully observed
\non the island of Bali to remind mankind of the ongoing struggle
\nbetween good and evil and to make sure that dharma, or virtue,
\nwhich benefits mankind, will always have the upper hand over
\nadharma, or vice.<\/p>\n
At present, as the Hindu community commemorate the breaking of
\nthe new Saka year, it is well for the whole nation to acknowledge
\nthe teachings of peace and tolerance -- not to mention literacy
\n-- that have been brought to these islands in the year 78 A.D. by
\nKing Ajisaka, who the Balinese (and tradition-oriented Javanese)
\nbelieve to have laid the groundwork of not only the Hindu faith
\non their islands, but of their indigenous culture as well.<\/p>\n
Such teachings of peace, virtue and tolerance as expressed in
\nthe observance of Nyepi should serve the nation well in these
\ntroubled times. It fits the occasion that we wish the Balinese,
\nand all those others who subscribe to the Hindu Dharma faith, a
\nbetter year ahead and all the happiness that the practice of
\ndharma brings.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-day-of-silence-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}