The Culture of Balance - Some Things to Know

Why are the people of Bali always so calm and smiley while there is such a mystic air about this enchanted island? The answer can be found in the religious practices of the islanders and in the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, according to which, every action and thought is aimed at promoting unity between human beings and reciprocal respect in a constant effort to balance the forces of the universe itself. In order to keep this balance, it is necessary to live harmoniously with the “three sources of happiness” to the benefit of the entire community - with the supreme Deity Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, caring for nature and promoting cooperation between people, Balinese Hinduism is its own religion, a hybrid between the fusion of a form of Indian Hinduism and the deeply-rooted local Animism which permeates every aspect of earthly life, for which every element of nature, organic and inorganic, is possessed with a soul and, thus, thrives in the balance of the overall system of things.The Balinese celebrate the trimurti Siwa, Wisnu and Brahma (the sacred Hindu Trinity), as well as numerous other Hindu divinities that inhabit the wondrous sacred temples (Pura) scattered about the island and to whom various offerings are made daily, but, unlike traditional Hinduism, there is a supreme God in their beliefs to whom is dedicated a special place, the so-called Padmasana which can be found outside of homes and temples. It’s no coincidence that Bali it’s called the “Island of the Gods”.