Ancient precept enshrined in 'homa' ceremony

I Ketut Sumarta, Chief Editor of Sarad magazine, Karangasem, East Bali

Hundreds of people from four major villages chant prayers while carrying holy statues to the Pura Taman Sari temple in Budakeling village in Karang Asem, east Bali.

These people of Komala, Abang, Tohpati and Saren villages are conducting Homa Jambala Samadhi -- one of the rarest ceremonies in Bali to celebrate 700 years of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, the nation's motto meaning unity in diversity.

The Homa ceremony, intended to honor the god of fire Dewa Agni, was performed once by Dalem Waturenggong, the Balinese King of Gelgel in the 15th century.

Homa Jambala Samadhi means centered yoga in which people are expected to reach the stage of self-enlightenment and eliminate any differences and physical boundaries that exist within human beings.

The phrase Bhinneka Tunggal Ika was quoted from an ancient manuscript Kakawin Sutasoma written by famous scholar Empu Tantular in 1380. The phrase reflects the reality of the country's different ethnic groups who live in unity.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika signifies Empu Tantular's vision of a meaningful and universal concept of tolerance and spirituality beyond any religious, cultural and geographical borders. Through this phrase, the scholar tried to expose theological philosophy and universality.

In real life, diversity and plurality are not only limited to religion, ethnic groups and the like, but in much more complicated issues. Diversity embraces the way of thinking, access to information, economic capability and education.

Thus, one should not see the differences as sources of hatred. Diversity should be accepted sincerely. It is not a burden but a special gratuity that should be managed by spiritual acumen, humbleness and emotional intelligence to prevent a person from being trapped only in physical matters.

In order to preserve and practice Empu Tantular's teaching, Sanggar Bajra Sandhi, in cooperation with the Budakeling community, celebrated 700 years of Tantular's ideas.

The event was intended to invite people to look back and to learn the real philosophical meaning of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika. The celebration comes at the right moment as the country is now suffering from a multi-dimensional crisis, including religious, racial and ethnic conflicts in several areas.

In Budakeling, a small village under Mount Agung in Karang Asem, people have been practicing Tantular's teaching for six centuries. The concept of unity in diversity plays a part in their daily lives.

The history of Budakeling village goes back some 600 years ago. At that time, a Buddhist priest named Danghyang Astapaka from Keling district in East Java went to Bali to lead the Homa ceremony held by King Waturenggong.

The priest, however, did not return to East Java. Instead, he chose to live in a small village near the kingdom. Danghyang Astapaka was a direct descendant of Empu Tantular. In the new place, he lived and built a Buddhist community, namely Budakeling village.

Interestingly, Budakeling has now grown as a Hindu-Buddhist center as well as the center for the Muslim community, who live in Saren village.

Both Hindu-Buddhist and Muslims in the two villages have been living peacefully and harmoniously for hundreds of years.

The Muslim villagers are the descendants of Kiai Jalil from the Demak Sultanate in Central Java who came to Bali to defeat King Waturenggong. But Kiai Jalil, who failed to beat the King, was frightened to return to Demak. Before allowing Kiai to stay in Bali, the king ordered him to capture a bull. He succeeded and was then rewarded a plot of land in Saren which means a resting place but can also means "blood spills".

The Hindu-Buddhist community regard their Muslim neighbors as Nyama Selam or Nyama Saren (brothers). Muslim people called their Hindu brothers as Sameton or Nyama Bali.

In every religious ceremony, Hindu and Muslim people help each other. During a Ngaben (cremation) ceremony, for instance, Muslim villagers from Saren will gladly take part in this ceremony and present rebana music and Tari Rudat Islam dance to honor their Hindu brothers.

During the recent Homa ceremony in Taman Sari Temple, both communities showed their sincerity and tolerance. For Budakeling people, different ethnicities and religions do not stop the fact they are the same, that they are all human beings.