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.