Cleansing ceremony at purifying Bali<\/p>\n
On Friday, Nov.15, thousands of Balinese and hundreds of
\ninvitees, including the families of over 190 victims from around
\nthe world, are scheduled to attend a special purification
\nceremony, Tawur Agung Pemarisudha Kariphubaya, held to
\nspiritually cleanse the island of Bali from any bad and
\ndisturbing influences which may have been caused by the tragic
\nbombing of Kuta on Oct. 12. This rare and elaborate ceremony is
\nexpected to neutralize the negative aspects and to ward off evil
\nspirits from the universe caused by the tragedy and to return the
\nharmony into it. To understand the philosophical and religious
\nmeaning of the ritual, and the impact of the ceremony on the
\nBalinese people, The Jakarta Post's Rita A. Widiadana talked to a
\nprominent Hindu High Priest, Ida Pedanda Gede Ketut Sebali
\nTianyar Arimbawa on Thursday afternoon. The following article is
\nan excerpt from the interview:<\/p>\n
Question: First, how do you and the average Balinese view the
\nrecent tragic bombing of Kuta, which lies at the heart of Bali's
\ntourism industry?<\/p>\n
Answer: I must say that we really felt very sad. Yet, I
\nunderstand that this tragedy was part of the Almighty's plan for
\nus. Naturally, any catastrophe must be viewed as a specific
\nincident that could happen at any time or place and it,
\nunfortunately, occurred in Kuta.<\/p>\n
Such a tragedy was a great shock to many people in Bali, as
\nthey were mentally unprepared for this barbaric action. This
\ntragedy can be seen as part of a process whereby a human being
\nseeks his or her self-identity. The process can take place
\nthrough violent or nonviolent action.<\/p>\n
The Balinese could not believe and understand why the
\nterrorist bomb exploded in their spiritually blessed and safe
\nland. What is your opinion?<\/p>\n
For the last few hundred years, Bali has always been adored as
\nthe island of the gods, blessed with a beautiful and fertile
\nland. The majority of the local people have been buoyed up and
\nspoiled by the tourism-based economy. The blessing of God
\nactually spreads everywhere, not just Bali. Because of this
\nenchanting state of affairs, a lot of people here became too
\nself-confident and proud of their precious land and well-being.
\nToo much pride in our hearts and minds can lead to a chauvinistic
\nway of thinking, which is very, very dangerous. In reality, we
\nhuman beings, including the Balinese people, are limited in many
\nways.<\/p>\n
How great has been the impact of the tragedy on the spiritual
\nlife of the people?<\/p>\n
Once again, this was a very tragic moment, but we should not
\nfall onto an unending sadness and anger. Of course, this event
\nhas had a very great influence on us -- both negative and
\npositive. We should think positively. Let's just view this as a
\ngreat lesson for us to be on the alert at any time, to be patient
\nin facing any problem.<\/p>\n
On Friday (today), the Balinese people will hold a special
\nTawur ceremony. What do people actually expect from any ritual in
\naccordance with Hindu belief?<\/p>\n
The ceremony will be important for us. Caru Tawur is
\nundertaken and reserved for only the most important occasion.
\nThis is crucial, for Bali is currently undergoing a period of
\nmourning because of the disastrous bombing. According to Hindus,
\nany ritual or religious ceremony is held in an effort to obtain a
\nblessing from the Creator, to obtain spiritual enlightenment that
\nmay lead to a genuine solution to a problem. By undertaking the
\nupcoming ceremony, we hope that we will have carried out one of
\nour obligations to seek Divine help.<\/p>\n
It is necessary that the entire community take part in the
\nceremony because its purpose is to spiritually purify their land
\nand inner being.<\/p>\n
Of course, a ceremony is just one of the basic religious
\nobligations for Hindu people because we understand that we have a
\nlot of shortcomings. We really cannot expect that after the
\nceremony, the problems will be solved immediately and Bali will
\nbe safe again.<\/p>\n
The most important point is how we, the Balinese people,
\nbehave and act after the ceremony. The Tawur Agung ceremony must
\nbecome a crucial milestone for all elements of society --
\nreligious leaders, academics, government officials,
\nbusinesspeople and commoners, to physically and spiritually
\nimprove Bali.<\/p>\n
Your comments indicate that something unsuitable has occurred
\nin Bali that needs to be rectified.<\/p>\n
Long before the bombing, Bali had been developing in an
\nunsuitable way. In my opinion, Bali is now under the power of
\n\"greedy and unwise\" people. This is manifest in the way Bali and
\nits people have turned out. Consumerism and materialism have
\nembraced almost all of our people. Public policies were created
\nto benefit none but the powerful. Social and economic
\ndiscrepancies are everywhere. Bali is a wealthy place only for
\ncertain people. We really must eliminate the greed.<\/p>\n
The police have currently detained a number of bombing
\nsuspects, who unfortunately come from East Java and are Muslims.
\nIs there a possibility that this will cause social and religious
\nconflict between Balinese Hindus and the Muslim community here?<\/p>\n
As Hindu believers, we should not be suspicious of or harbor
\nbad feeling toward others. If they really are the perpetrators,
\nlet the police do their job. Since the very beginning, the
\nParishada Hindu Bali (Hindu High Council), has stressed strongly
\nthat the bombing is a criminal and terrorist action, not a
\nreligious issue.<\/p>\n
I really urge Balinese Hindus to restrain themselves from any
\naction that might cause conflict with other believers. We should
\nnever seek a scapegoat.<\/p>\n
What we should do now is strengthen our relations with our
\nbrothers of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. As human
\nbeings we have an obligation to change the bad into good, which,
\nfor Hindus, is called Triguna. That is the essential aim of all
\nceremonies and our faith.<\/p>",
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