National Dharma Santi 2026: Calls for Brotherhood Echo from Bali

The National Dharma Santi 2026, serving as the pinnacle of the Sacred Nyepi Day in the Saka 1948 year at the Taman Budaya Art Centre in Denpasar, Bali, on Friday (17/4/2026), became a platform for strong calls to safeguard brotherhood and Dharma values. The event was attended by approximately 4,000 participants. Several officials were present, including Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno, Deputy Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Giring Ganesha, Bali Governor Wayan Koster, and religious figures. Hindu religious leader Ida Pedanda Gde Mandhara Putra Kekeran highlighted the ongoing doubts about Dharma values that impact fraternal relations. “The main issue that remains a mainstream concern for us relates to brotherhood and friendship, where many of our siblings forget and doubt the truth of Dharma,” he explained at the National Dharma Santi 2026 event. He stressed that the peace for which Bali is renowned worldwide stems from the strength of tolerance and brotherhood values. “We do not have to separate or become enemies. For according to the holy scriptures of Hinduism, it is clearly emphasised that Shanti and happiness can only be achieved by practising Dharma,” he stated. According to him, the teachings of Dharma form the foundation for maintaining loyalty, compassion, and harmony. “By practising Dharma alone, we can achieve serenity,” he said. He also reminded of the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ as the basis for living as one big family on earth. Mutual Cooperation and Harmony The General Chairman of PHDI, Wisnu Bawa Tenaya, emphasised the importance of tangible cooperation in maintaining harmony. “Not just safe but truly at peace—not like that, we are safe with clear minds and pure hearts. Orderly, calm work, hard work, sincere and earnest smart work ultimately leads to cooperation, gotong royong. Not gotong but ngoyong (just sitting idle),” he explained. “If it’s ngoyong, it becomes burdensome in the end. Together we carry, together we transport rubbish so that Bali is clean,” he added. He also reminded of the importance of preserving the sanctity of temples and Bali’s cultural heritage. Prabowo: Strengthen Brotherhood President Prabowo Subianto, in a virtual address, affirmed that Dharma Santi serves as a momentum to strengthen unity. “The commemoration of Dharma Santi 2026 is a momentum for mutual forgiveness, strengthening brotherhood, and reaffirming Dharma values in life,” Prabowo stated in his virtual speech. He emphasised gotong royong and mutual respect as keys to national integrity. “Peace and unity, as well as values of mutual respect and balanced living, are the strength of our nation. We are a great nation, a harmonious nation,” he said. At the end, he invited the Hindu community to practise Tri Hita Karana. “For the Hindu community, let us always nurture and strengthen the values of Tri Hita Karana, namely maintaining harmony with fellow humans, nature, and God. Let us preserve our togetherness,” Prabowo concluded.