Eka Buana rite meant to harmonize the universe

Eka Buana rite meant to harmonize the universe

By T. Sima Gunawan

SANUR, Bali (JP): A Hindu high priest rang a bell and read out
a mantra. He was moving his hands up and down rhythmically,
sprinkling holy water around and scattering petals into the air.

For a moment, there was silence. Suddenly the gong started up
again and the gamelan music started. Several women came over to
the priest for some holy water and flowers. Then they walked
around and shared the blessings with the congregation, who sat
quietly on the ground of Pura Besakih, the mother temple of Bali.
They also used the holy water and the flowers to purify the
animals which would be sacrificed for the Gods.

There were a pair of turtles, a puppy, a civet-cat, a pair of
goose, several chicken, goats, ducks and pigs, which were later
carried around the sanctuary before the slaughter.

"Human beings are the best offerings for Gods. But we can't
really sacrifice people. This ritual is meant to purify the
animals so that they are equal to humans before the Gods," a
spiritual leader told The Jakarta Post earlier this week.

The purification ceremony is only one of the Eka Buana
rituals, in a set which started on Feb. 14 and will last until
April 26. The Eka Buana rite, which is celebrated once every 100
years, is the last part of the Eka Dasa Rudra ritual which took
place in 1979. The ceremonies are held to purify people, objects
and the earth.

Essentially they are meant to harmonize the universe through
the balancing of the microcosm and macrocosm, said Ida Bagus Gede
Agastia, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Hindu Council.

A spectacular procession took place on March 16. Carrying
sacred objects and offerings, thousands of Hindu devotees walked
under the burning sun from Pura Besakih to Klotok beach, which is
about 40 kilometers away.

The assembled worshipers were dressed in traditional costumes.
The men were wearing white shirts, colorful sarongs and yellow
waistcloths, and most of them had donned white head scarfs. The
women were wearing white or yellow kebaya (traditional blouses)
and colorful sarongs. They had slung a bright yellow cloth called
a selendang around the waist, and their hair was teased into a
traditional style.

In accordance with the concept of mountain (head), land (body)
and ocean (feet), the offerings should be carried from Pura
Besakih, which is situated on Mt. Agung at an altitude of 900
meters, to the sea.

Tens of thousands of people took part in the ritual on Klotok
beach, while those unable to come performed the rite on other
beaches across the island. Most of them were carrying a bamboo
box filled with fruits, rice, chicken and cakes on their heads.

After they presented the offerings, they took them home.

"The Gods only take the essence, we take the rest," a woman in
her 60s told the Post. "Please have some, if you like," she said,
proffering some bananas.

There were also offerings for the Goddess of the earth. These
offerings, called sarad, were supported by bamboo frames of about
10 meters high. Two giant sarad were presented during the
culmination of the Eka Buana ritual on March 20. One of them was
built out of 400 kilograms of sticky rice and the other was made
up of nine pigs and 700 eggs.

"People don't eat them. These offerings will be distributed
after the ceremony and people can use them as fertilizers," Made
Sija, 67, who designed the offerings, said.

The two offerings took the shape of a mountain and depicted
life in the forest. There were trees, monsters and birds. Every
detail was meticulously crafted. Aesthetic beauty is an important
element in the design of the offerings.

"We always try to enhance our imagination and creativity
because they are essential to life. We need them to strengthen
our joy of life. Without imagination and creativity, our life
would be dull," Agastia said.

On the evening of March 20, processions of ogoh-ogoh (giant
paper monsters) were held all over Bali. These torch processions
are meant to chase away demons.

The day after was Hindu New Year. Unlike other people, Hindus
celebrate their new year by meditating. They call it nyepi, or
the Day of Silence. Bali went into a slumber of death for 24
hours. Balinese Hindus were not allowed to kindle a fire or put
on any lights, travel, work, or have any organized fun.

These rituals emphasize Bali's unique nature. Bali is more
than just sun and gorgeous beaches. There is something profound,
serene and beautiful in its rich rituals and traditions.

A magic which keeps Bali alive.