Here in Bali we are on the eve of an important day. Today (June 27th) is Galungan and most local people will be heading back to their villages for a day to participate in ceremonies with their families. Galungan is a Balinese holiday that occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10 days. Kuningan is the last day of the holiday. Galungan means “When the Dharma is winning.” During this holiday the Balinese gods visit the Earth and leave on Kuningan.

Occurring once in every 210 days in the pawukon (Balinese cycle of days), Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremony that is celebrated by all Balinese. During the Galungan period the deified ancestors of the family descend to their former homes. They must be suitably entertained and welcomed, and prayers and offerings must be made for them. Those families who have ancestors that have not yet been cremated, but are still buried in the village cemetery, must make offerings at the graves.

Although Galungan falls on a Wednesday, most Balinese will begin their Galungan ‘holiday’ the day before, where the family is seen to be busily preparing offerings and cooking for the next day. While the women of the household have been busy for days before creating beautifully woven ‘banten‘ (offerings made from young coconut fronds), the men of our village usually wake up well before dawn to join with their neighbours to slaughter a pig unlucky enough to be chosen to help celebrate this occasion.

Then the finely diced pork is mashed to a pulp with a grinding stone, and molded onto sate sticks that have been already prepared by whittling small sticks of bamboo. Chickens may also be chosen from the collection of free-range chickens that roam around the house compound. Delicate combinations of various vegetables, herbs and spices are also prepared by the men to make up a selection of ‘lawar‘ dishes. While much of this cooking is for use in the offerings to be made at the family temple, by mid-morning, once all the cooking is done, it is time for the first of a series of satisfying feasts from what has been prepared.

While the women continue to be kept busy with the preparations of the many offerings to be made at the family temple on the day of Galungan, the men also have another job to do this day, once the cooking is finished. A long bamboo pole, or ‘penjor‘, is made to decorate the entrance to the family compound. By late Tuesday afternoon all over Bali the visitor can see these decorative poles creating a very festive atmosphere in the street.

On Wednesday, the day of Galungan, one will find that most Balinese will try to return to their own ancestral home at some stage during the day, even if they work in another part of the island. This is a very special day for families, where offerings are made to God and to the family ancestors who have come back to rest at this time in their family temple. As well as the family temple, visits are made to the village temple with offerings as well, and to the homes of other families who may have helped the family in some way over the past six months.

The day after Galungan is a time for a holiday, visiting friends, maybe taking the opportunity to head for the mountains for a picnic. Everyone is still seen to be in their ‘Sunday best’ as they take to the streets to enjoy the festive spirit that Galungan brings to Bali.

Tourists visiting Bali might spend a little extra time admiring the temples and penjors that line every street. Pura Sakenan, the temple on the island of Serangan, is the site of one of the big ceremonies for Kuningan. Tourists may visit as long as they were a sarong and sash. (BaliBlog)
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“Let us live simply so that others may simply live”
M.K. Gandhi

The lifetime achievements of Ibu Gedong Bagoes Oka (1921-2002) are impressive and bear testimony to her unfailing faith in the teaching of Mahatma Gandhi. Mother of six boys, in her early married life she became a high school principal then a university lecturer in English. She served as an Member of Parliament in 1968 in the New Order parliament of Indonesia’s President Soeharto and again in 1999, at the age 0f 78, in the Reformation Parliament of President Abdurahman Wahid as the Hindu regional representative. She was a founding member and , eventually, honorary president of the World Council for Religion and Peace and a board member of several international and domestic social organizations. In 1994 her tireless work earned her Gandhi Peace Award of the Jamnal Bajaj Foundation in India for her ‘dedication to peace and promoting Gandhian ideals outside India’.

Gedong Gandhi Ashram, Candidasa
On an idyllic site next to Candidasa beach on Bali’s east coast, where a spring-fed lake runs into Indian Ocean, a piece of sacred land was purchased by Oka couple as a family retreat. Soon the true potential of this land became apparent when, becoming disillusioned with the lack of achievements in parliament, Ibu Gedong resolved to work at ‘grass root’ level and, to this end, established her own ashram. In 1976 she thus began to bring her Gandhian beliefs into practice.

The ashram aims to translate Gandhian Hindu priciples of living into action and promotes a life of simplicity, self sufficiency and service to the local community. With ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth) and karuna (compassion) as guidelines, swadeshi (self-sufficiency) can determine our social and economical strengths. Consistent with these ideals the ashram is home for all faiths.

Most of the ashram members come from disadvantaged families from nearby villages but there are also those from other island such as Java, Lombok, and Sumba. All are provided with board and lodging, schooling and pocket money for which they, in turn, maintain the ashram and its gardens and look after the guests.

Guests provide a large part of ashram income. There are currently two bungalows ready to serve the guests. Guests are encouraged to take part in the ashram life and , for those who wish, there is a volunteer scheme whereby visitors can contribute useful skills, such as English teaching, computing, gardening, etc and pay less for their keep. In all cases, advance notice is required for arrangements to be made for visitors needs.

Some of the ashram’s current activities are
• A kindergarten for local children which also provides them with a free lunch as a way of promoting healthy nutrition.
• An acupuncture clinic for both local people and visitors.
• Rice and vegetable growing.
• A modest kitchen garden using organic growing techniques.
• A computer room with internet access
• Traditional weaving which has recently been revived to make cloth and scarves.

Since its inceptions the ashram has gained reputation as a place where people from all walks of life cross paths – holidaying guests, backpackers, seminar participants, visiting academics, scientists, artists, etc. many lasting friendships have developed from these chance meetings, all touched by the experience of Ibu Gedong’s ashram. It is hard to describe the atmosphere the ashram engenders – the puja chant, agni hotra fire purification ceremony, the morning yoga, the interactions between members, and visitors, the pervasive meditative feeling, the delicious vegetarian meals, the sound of the sea with the lake alongside – one simply has to experience it.

For further information, please contact:
Post: Gedong Gandhi Ashram, Candidasa, Karangasem 80851, Bali, Indonesia
Phone & fax: +62 363 41108
Email: gandhiashram@yahoo.com
Web: www.alphalink.com.au/-oka/ashram/

Gedong Gandhi Ashram Educational Fund, GGAEF.
This trust has been set up by a group of international ashram friends to fund the educational needs of deserving ashram members. It is based in New Zealand and further inquires, or donations, can be made as follow:
GGAEF c/o Terry Cox
4 Kamahi Street
Stokes Valley
Wellington
New Zealand
Phone: +64 4 563 8989
Email: terrycox@globe.net.nz (BaliWWW)
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Tantri can be classified as an individual genre in Balinese literature, deals mainly with fables; Tantri is similar to Aesop’s fables in Western literature. In its story, the Tantri usually gives moral teaching, promoting good deeds and wise judgement.

On Saturday, 6/23/07, a theatrical performance based on Tantri story entitled Sadhu Kerti was performed in Bali Art Festival by Semara Kusuma Troupe from Payangan, Ubud, Gianyar Regency. This performance was led by I Nyoman Dharma, S.Ag, musical accompaniment was composed by Dewa Putu Berata, S.S.Kar, and the choreographer was Ni Wayan Serini, S.Sn.

Here is the synopsis of the story: Deep in a peaceful forest, on the slope of Mount Kawi lived a hermit, Dukuh Suladri and his daughter Ni Kusuma Sari, side by side with animal and plants in harmony. Dukuh Suladri and his daughter were befriended with all animal in the jungle.

Meanwhile, in a village lived a hunter named I Wayan Buyar, he killed many animals and destroy the forest. He went to the forest and killed animal for food and fun.

One day, I Wayan Buyar met Ni Kusuma Sari in the forest. He wanted to rape her but a tiger, friend of Dukuh Suladri and Ni Kusuma Sari appeared, saved her and attacked I Wayan Buyar.

I Wayan Buyar was almost killed by the tiger, but the wise Dukuh Suladri saved him and forgave all his wrongdoings. I Wayan Buyar promised to stop hunting; this made the forest on the slope of Mount Kawi peaceful once again. (BaliWWW)
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Gods and goddesses in Balinese culture is not immune to the emotions, they can be happy sad or in rage, that is why Balinese strive in many ways to please them. Beautiful offerings, sacred ceremonies, delicate gamelan music, superb dances performance, and sweet singer voice when reciting ancient romances (kakawin) are just small parts of Balinese efforts to please the gods and goddesses.

When gods and goddesses are happy they will bestow prosperities and blessings to all inhabitants of the world. Balinese believe that when the gods and goddesses are happy they will appear in beautiful forms complete with all signs of good luck and protection, with sweet smiling faces and friendly gestures.

However, when gods and goddess are in rage, they will appear in “pamurtian” forms. The word “pemurtian” is derived from the word “murti” means “form”. The pemurtian is a terrifying forms of gods and goddesses, they will appear with demon faces, usually has more than five heads, twelve hands each caries a celestial weapon ready to strike the wrong-doers.

Pemurtian form of gods and goddesses has a special place in shadow puppet performance. In the shadow puppet performance, pamurtian form is associated with divine appearance of gods and goddesses to protect the universe from the evil force of raksasa (demon or giant). In the shadow puppet story, when the force of virtue appears in the verge of defeat, a god or goddesses will appear in his or her pemurtian form to help the force of virtue and conquer the force of evil.

The double role of gods and goddesses in pamurtian forms, as punishers and saviors makes the pemurtian is highly revered by Balinese, not just give them a sense of justice is always enforced but also the sense of security. The Pemurtian form though sometimes appear very frightening but it is not something that is out of control but an almighty force that is need to restore the balance between the positive and negative force. (BaliWWW)
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Villa Coraffan, is a newly completed holiday property in Bali’s Canggu district, conceived with a desire to create the most inspiring base from which to enjoy the area’s magnificent views.

Completely surrounded by rice paddies, Villa Coraffan was meticulously designed with an eye for modern, tropical elegance. White Palimanan stone walls and rich Merbau wooden floors were chosen for each room to fuse the dignified tranquility of a temple with earthy warmth.

Coraffan’s gardens feature an array of exotic trees and plants carefully selected and nurtured to honor the spirit of the island’s renowned beauty. Coraffan is as ideal for solitude and relaxation as it is for parties or other social functions.

Set around a five-by-17-meter infinity pool, each of Coraffan’s bedrooms has a spectacular view. The villa has an open-air living room with a sound system and equipped bar. Other common areas include a fitness room, a detached viewing platform ideal for morning meditation or yoga as well as late afternoon cocktails, and a detached dining area surrounded by balconies.

Coraffan’s air-conditioned TV room has a full bathroom so that it can be used as a fifth bedroom if needed. Coraffan also has a fully appointed kitchen with staff quarters and a parking area with a security post. (BaliWWW)
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