Balinese people honor their gods through a variety of rituals, religious ceremonies, and events, as well as daily prayers. Their strong artistic inclination is expressed through activities such as dance, painting, and music, all aimed at pleasing the deities. To show their respect, they create offerings, an important symbolic gesture in their culture.
Prayer Rituals
Balinese prayer rituals involve multiple gods, each honored in different ways. For example, the god of metal objects is revered when acquiring a new car, with special offerings made to ensure its protection. Prayers, whether conducted at the temple or at home, follow a specific code, including acts dedicated to requesting, thanking, or confessing.
Karma
Balinese people make offerings to appease demons, known as "Bhutas" or "Kalas," to prevent misfortunes. These offerings are often placed in risky locations such as intersections or staircases. The aim is to distract the demons and prevent accidents. In case of an accident, a priest intervenes to purify the area with bamboo, thus keeping harmful spirits away from the victim.
Offerings
Offerings are crafted from woven palm leaves baskets, containing rice symbolizing abundance and prosperity, flowers, food, cigarettes, and incense. They are often made to express gratitude to the gods, ancestors, or spirits for their benevolence, protection, and blessings. These gestures illustrate sincere devotion to the spiritual forces that influence the lives of individuals and communities.
Steps of a Classic Prayer:
Preparation of the offering: Before starting the prayer ritual, the offering is carefully prepared. It is called "canang sari."
Lighting of the incense: The incense is lit with a flame, then placed on the offering or in an incense holder. Incense is considered a purifier and a means of communication with the gods and spirits.
Prayers and meditations: Once the incense burns, the worshiper kneels or sits in meditation before the offering. Prayers are recited in Sanskrit or Balinese, addressing Hindu deities such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and other local deities.
Offering of rice grains: During prayer, the practitioner takes a handful of rice from the offering and delicately places it in front of them, on them, or in a suitable container. This offering is a gesture of gratitude to the gods for their benevolence and protection.
Conclusion of the prayer: Once prayers and offerings are complete, the practitioner may conclude the session by reciting mantras or uttering blessings for themselves, their family, or the community. The offering is often left on an altar or at a sacred location, where it will be gradually consumed or removed by the devotees.
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