Baru di Bali

Its looks are making Bali even a livelier island; its smells are so thick filling the air that a stranger to this island could easily be intrigued. Many tourists and the non Balinese Hindu residents understand (in connection with the ancient belief) that banten is offered to please the gods. Yet, not many of these people know that banten is a lot more than just an instrument to make the gods happy; as colorful as it looks on the outside, banten also holds deeper meanings inside.

1. To Tone A Good Concept of Life

   In Balinese Hindu, banten is seen as a visualization of Tattwa teachings (I am you and you are me) and Hindu morality that are aimed to direct humans in developing and practicing positive traits during life. The many colors of a banten resemble the richness of life in the universe and that a Balinese Hindu person is told to achieve through good manners.

2. Homage, Not to Free One From Sins

   It is a must for a Balinese Hindu person to offer banten in conducting a ceremony. The sizes and values of the banten depend on the economic capability of the party (be it individuals, families, etc.) holding the ceremony. However, the bigger the banten offered doesn’t necessarily mean the more chances one could get in pleasing the gods or freed from sins. Banten is seen as an act of paying homage to the gods, not bribing.

3. To Show Gratitude

   Banten is meant as an offering to show gratitude for all the blessings given by the gods. That is why, as an instance, every time a dish is cooked there will be a small part of it put on the banten. This way, it is expected that the sincere thought of sharing what is consumed will result more prosperity in the future.

4. Symbolic Language

   According to the holy script of Yajna Prakrti, banten is a symbolic language representing the God Sang Hyang Ida Widhi Wasa, humans and the universe. Each of the elements represented will determine in which shrine the banten is positioned.

5. Concept of Divinity

   The Balinese Hindu considers banten as the means to get connected with god; thus, the presence of banten is always required. Within this concept, the banten offered is meant as a pure offering to the one and holy God Sang Hyang Ida Widhi Wasa without expecting any retains.

6. Language of Religion

   TAs the holiest book of Hindu in general, Veda has been translated into many different languages. Aside from being translated into Balinese, the Hindus in the island also translate the Veda teachings in the form of banten. It is said that banten is the fruit of a completely clean mind. This means, in order to create banten that is physically beautiful and attractive, the maker should practice a clean and sincere body and soul during the process of creating – in accordance to the Veda teachings.

7. Religious Activity

   As a fusion of Hindu teachings and traditional values, the Balinese Hindu consists of many practices that differs the religion from its alike in, for example, India. Since banten is a must in every ceremony, its presence (starting from the making) is also considered religious. This is because together with banten, there will also be prayers and mantras chanted.

8. Tool of Purification

   Since not every person is eligible to make it (thus making banten a sacred ceremonial object), banten also functions as a tool of purification. Persons who make the banten are required to achieve a certain level of holiness and freed from all sadness and bad feelings. Therefore, banten is an essential part in, among others, village and temple purifications.

9. Substitute of Mantras

   Although in general the presence of banten is accompanied by mantras, the banten itself represents mantras, prayers and other wishes. This is because of many mantras (depending on the purpose) have already been put or ‘inserted’ by the maker during the making process.

10. Symbol of Knowledge

    Some of the many substances (such as flowers, leaves, fruits, etc.) used to make banten are gradually becoming scarce to find. It is, therefore, a challenge for the Balinese to develop ways to cultivate these essential substances. Yet, there are possibly hundreds of kinds of banten used for different occasions; thus, requiring different use of materials. In order to be able to differentiate different types of banten, certain knowledge is also required.