'Ruwatan' to purify souls<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Sanur, Bali<\/p>\n
Human beings face daily ups and downs. For those who believe in a
\nkarma, good fortune may come and go in accordance with one's
\ndestiny.<\/p>\n
While our destiny may not be thwarted, the Javanese have
\ndeveloped an age-old ritual to cleanse the path of one's fate.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes, people think they are so unlucky or are trapped in
\nbad situation. So many obstacles hamper their efforts to achieve
\ntheir goals or to balance their spiritual and earthly lives,\"
\ncommented Eyang Suryo Wilotikto, who claims to be the direct
\ndescendant of the former rulers of Majapahit Hindu Kingdom in
\nEast Java. The legendary kingdom reigned from the 13th to the
\nlate 15th century.<\/p>\n
In Javanese tradition, many believe that people who have
\nsuffered misfortune are spiritually \"dirty and unprepared to
\nreceive divine inspiration,\" he said. Therefore, according to
\ntraditional Javanese dogma, a special ritual must be performed to
\nprevent the people or individuals from any misfortune and evil
\nspirit, which may disturb their well-being.<\/p>\n
\"The Javanese, in need of a spiritual boost, usually perform
\nthe ruwatan or melukat rituals,\" he explained. The ritual is
\nbasically aimed at revitalizing and recollecting the positive
\nspiritual energy within one's mind and heart to exist peacefully
\nand productively in order to eliminate any negative forces and
\ninfluences.<\/p>\n
Because Eyang believes that the Balinese people originated
\nfrom the Majapahit kingdom, he said that such rituals were also
\nappropriate within the tradition of Balinese Hinduism.<\/p>\n
\"But, actually, ruwatan has nothing to do with any religion.
\nIt is an ancient tradition which still exists within the Javanese
\ncommunity,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In Javanese families, there are several circumstances which
\nrequire them to turn to the ruwatan. Families with only one child
\nor one set of twins, families who have only one boy with older
\nsisters, kids suffering from serious illnesses and many other
\nthings of that nature. In Javanese tradition, the number of
\nchildren that a couple produces and, more importantly the number
\nof boys, can mean the difference between being spiritually
\nblessed or condemned to misfortune.<\/p>\n
Last October, he visited Bali and took part in the Gebyar
\nAlternative Exhibition at the Inna Sindhu Hotel in Sanur where he
\nheld a series of mass ruwatan rituals for people who felt they
\nneeded it.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, many ruwatan ceremonies are regarded as commercial
\nactivities with people paying a large sum of money to perform
\nit,\" he maintained, while adding that it was improper to accept
\npayment for such a sacred rite.<\/p>\n
\"How can you charge people suffering from grievance and
\nsadness just to purify themselves?\" he asked.<\/p>\n
He did not receive any money for the mass ritual.<\/p>\n
\"After the Bali bombing, a lot of people in Bali, Lombok and
\neven in East Java, suffered spiritually as well as economically,\"
\nhe added. Thousands of people lost their jobs and incomes.
\nHundreds of them lost loved ones.<\/p>\n
In order to survive, many of them have sold their belongings
\nand are trapped under a mountain of debt.<\/p>\n
The ruwatan ceremony has been a refuge for hundreds of those
\npeople in the last year.<\/p>\n
One event took place at a seaside hotel. Prior to the
\nceremony, a special wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance was
\nheld.<\/p>\n
The participants held communal prayers in accordance with
\ntheir beliefs, while the leader of the ceremony sprinkled water
\non their bodies symbolizing the purification process.<\/p>\n
\"They came from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds.
\nTheir main intention was to cleanse their minds in the hope of a
\nbetter future,\" he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ruwatan-to-purify-souls-1447893297",
"image": ""
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