The Balinese Philosophy

We don’t have to understand each and very rule and commandment of our religion, our priests are in charge of that. But we believe that all things in the world are connected, whether they are animate or inanimate. This is what we call principal of participation. Everywhere, two forces face one another and always will – one positive, the other negative – and as I explained to you earlier, there is no chance that the negative part will ever disappear! The macrocosms – the universe – are thus made up of three parts. One part is negative and is the demons’ headquarters; another is neutral and belongs to man; and the last one, the highest, is positive and sacred, and naturally the domain of the Gods. The human group must behave in the most appropriate manner, to allow the positive order, or dharma. This notion of dharma is different from the notion of good and evil. For us, there is no best way to behave, but rather an appropriate manner. The actions of a farmer who cultivates rice and whose family has made the prescribed offerings properly are as worthy of respect as those of a Brahman sage who practices meditation. Everyone in his or her way contribute to the dharma.

One must first of all fulfill their part according to their position in the community and thus contribute to the global balance, which is more meaningful than their personal desires.

Man is not only a part of macrocosms but him self, a macrocosm. The negative shows itself in him too, through his angers, his passions, or through illness… and it is therefore necessary for him to work on maintaining the balance in himself, although impossible to not feel the influence of the negative forces. Anyway, by thus, I’m not always nice.

The sum of our actions, or karma, is decisive for our passage to the beyond, where there is a hell and a kingdom of heaven – Swah. According to what they were, there is a risk of returning to an earthly life that is better, or worse. It is said, for instance, that those who practice black magic are reincarnated as worms!

We call this belief in several cycles of life, reincarnation. Only those who have reached supreme serenity and liberation – or moksa – can have access to paradise – nirvana – and be exempted from returning to earth. For the time being, in this life, we must behave properly and help our group maintains the balance between opposite forces. And even we must avoid giving in to negative thoughts, passion and anger, which are the little demons of our small universe.