The Wisdom of Bali: Meaningful, Symbolic, Ethical, and Spiritual Balinese Way of Life.

The Wisdom of Bali

Meaningful, Symbolic, Ethical, and Spiritual Balinese Way of Life

Ahmad Dzikran

(@ahmaddzikran)

Copyright © 2016, Ahmad Dzikran. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Table of Contents

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Chapter 1: History of Bali

A. Of Early Traders And Olden Kingdoms

B. Mighty Majapahit And Golden Bali

C. Of Foreign Tricks And Trade

D. Colonial Rule And Dutch Rules

E. Independence

F. Bali Aga, The Indigenous People of Bali

Chapter 2: Daily Life Wisdom

A. Paras-Paros

B. Menyamabraya

C. Matilesang Raga

D. Nawang Lek

E. Tri Hita Karana

Chapter 3: Social Hierarchy And Consequence of Deeds

A. Catur Warna

Concept and Function of Caste

Caste Rules and Taboos

Status Changes

B. Mulat Sarira

Karma as A Law

D. Tri Kaya Parisudha

B. Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha

Chapter 4: Subak Water Management System (How Balinese Respect The Water)

A. ​Subak Organizational Structure

B. ​Subak Irrigation Network

C. ​Subak Ceremony

Chapter 5: Symbols And Meaning In Balinese Festivals

A. Tattwa, Susila, And Upacara

B. Saraswati Day

C. Full Moon Ceremony

D. ​Galungan And Kuningan

What Happen And Where?

Brief History and Legend

E. ​Nyepi

Different Kinds of New Year Celebrations

Before The Silence

When The Whole Island Shuts Down

Ngembak Geni, The Day After Nyepi

Chapter 6: Symbolic And Philosophical Thinking In Balinese Architecture

A. ​Tri Angga

Tri Angga in Bhuana Alit (Human Body)

Tri Angga in House or Building

Tri Angga For House Yard

Tri Angga In Village or Town Layout Design

Tri Angga In Regions

B. ​Tri Loka

C. ​Application of Asta Kosala-Kosali and Asta Bumi

Layout in House Building

Determine Building Entrance

D. ​Cosmological Orientation – Nawa Sanga Mandala

Chapter 7: Closing Words

About The Author

Other Books By Author

1) ​The Wisdom of Java – 12 Pillars of Motivational Life (Indonesian Wisdom Series #1)

2) ​Hasta Brata – Leadership Book of Ancient Java (Indonesian Wisdom Series #3)

I: History of Bali

Bali Island, with a total area of approximately 5561 kilometers square, is located between Java and Lombok islands. Because of its cultural authenticity, Bali has attracted the world’s attention. Many people from around the world visited this Pulau Dewata (Island of Gods – a popular nickname for Bali) either as tourists or as scientists since earlier centuries.

According to the record of John Crawfurd (British author) who wrote History of the Indian Archipelago, the origin of the name Bali was Nusa Kambangan or Floating Island. His testimony was based on his investigation result of a classic Balinese book called Kidung Surapati which he read twice.

Such a description was justified by Dutch author Theodore Thomas Pigeaud, who said the same thing as Crawfurd. Pigeaud’s opinion was written down in his essay book titled de Tantu Panggelaran, page 265. Pigeaud described unequivocally that the designation of Nusa Kambangan in the classic manuscript referred to Bali Island, not Nusa Kambangan Island which is located in southern Java now.

In addition, there was also testimony by H.B. Groeneveldt, another Dutch author, in a book titled Notes on the Malay Archipelago and Malacca. Hesaid that in the ancient time, Javanese people used to call Bali as Brahmana because the island was inhabited by Brahmanas (Hindu priests). They were considered leaders or mentors of the Balinese people to head toward progress based on their ancient customs. But what about the opinion of the Balinese people themselves about the origin of their island’s name? They are often unable to explain clearly and scientifically, except referring to local mythology and tales. However, some Balinese community leaders who are considered language experts stated that the word Bali means ‘firm’ or ‘strong’. Others said it means ‘noble’ or ‘principal’. This definition is presumably influenced by the pride or sense of nationality that encourages fellow tribesmen to firmly hold the legacy of traditional customs in reverence to their ancestors.

Bali has certainly been populated since early prehistoric times, but the oldest human artifacts found are 3000-year-old stone tools and earthenware vessels from Cekik. Not much is known about Bali during the period when Indian traders brought Hinduism to the Indonesian archipelago, but the earliest written records are stone inscriptions dating from around the 9th century. By that time, rice was being grown under the complex irrigation system known as subak, and there were precursors of the religious and cultural traditions that can be traced to the present day.

A Bronze Age people of Chinese and Vietnamese descent from the Dong Son area of Vietnam arrived in Bali in the 3rd century B.C.; they brought bronze, copper, and iron. Their first sites were in the northwest at Cekik near what is now Gilimanuk and also the inland of Sembiran. Evidence from these sites indicates a population of fishermen, hunters, and farmers. Their graves show evidence of metallurgy and that they had by this stage acquired the skills to cast or smelt copper, bronze, and iron.

The lasting influence for much of Bali came from the Indian traders who arrived around the 1st century A.D. These peaceful merchants also brought Hinduism to the island. By the 5th century, a