Balinese Culture Essay

The Balinese society original began as many cultures or civilizations migrated from South China, and are based on kinship-based origins. Balinese people are a society associated with Indonesia; they are located throughout the islands of Archipelago primarily on the island of Bali and outer banks of Java (West, 83). This culture was established prior to the fifth century and continues today. Throughout this timeframe the inhabitants had been exposed to many different religions and customs. The primary introduction of the original establishment was to Hindu-Buddhist- style religion. However, as a result of the many barriers created within this culture they begin the practice primarily of the Hindu faith, however if we actually break this civilization’s …show more content…
In light of that one can say, “Life is religion and religion is life” in other words they’re teaching of religion is that every organism can have both good and evil dwelling within them, Furthermore they seek to have balance of peace and harmony between the universe and disordering forces. This belief is that there are three layers or level of the cosmos, which can be mirrored by a trifecta in a human body development; these are heaven (being the highest) equivalent to the head, the middle or the main torso of the body, and the lower level (hell), equivalent to the feet. Since this is an incorporation of both elements of Hindu and Buddhism, these people worship one supreme God, and three manifestations; the Trisakti- the creator, Wisnu – the preserver, and Siwa- the transformer whom help to oversee the people and the spirits (Johnsen, 325). The community with trying to achieve religious purity, also known as Moksha, lives within three principles: God and the universe, karma codes, and ceremonies and ritual to be performed by those whom are dutiful …show more content…
The Rituals, which are questioned are cockfights, these are a fundamental aspect of the religious ceremonies. The towns people are impelled to have these cockfights, many outsiders see them as gambling, which contradicts the teaching of the Hindu. This type of ritual is seen during a temple celebration, or an anniversary of said temple, a cockfight is held everyday during this period, which can last anywhere between three and forty-two days, these fights begin in the afternoon and continue until dusk just outside the temple walls or in a special room designated for such event. Since bets are made, those from outside this society view the ritual as gambling, when in fact the Balinese themselves view this as a form of entertainment and an origin for sacrifices of blood to demons (.Johnsen, 321) . There are fines associated with not bringing a cock to fight, even the priest is obligated to produce the necessary bird, it is considered of high importance to provide blood to be spilled onto the