Bali beliefs
After two weeks on Java crossing to Bali brought us not only on another island but in another world. From the moment you set foot on Bali you’ll step into a ferrytale like world. Bali, also called the island of thousand temples has been the refuge for hindu and buddist people centuries ago. They fled the violenty growing dominant islamic religion on java to move to the next island to be able to live their lives with the religion they chose.
When you look to the way both christian and islamic people have spread their religion by building landmarks in the form of churges and mosques the hindu and buddist people must have thought that the only way to oppose to this religious oppression was to build an absolute multitude of miniature temples all over the country. Not only every house has its own temple, every kampong/village, every ricefield, every toko (shop) has it’s own temple. On bali people pay their respect to the gods or the different appearances of the gods for each and every occasion. Religion is an individual thing and you see both young and old people bring offerings. Last saturday was full moon and this is a moment the people bring extra offerings. It’s not a matter how big the offerings are it’s a matter of the right intentions. people at bali are very creative. the offerings a most of the time little pieces of art.
religion is not something you must it comes from inside the people that they love life and show their gratitude for everything they have.
In my opinion this is true religion.
