An Introdiction to Balinese Religion

Balinese Hinduism, the religion of most of the _ of Bali , has a following of 3.1 million people along whit 160,000 Balinese Muslims, 45,000 Christians. And 21000 Buddhists. It is the unique product of a history mixing ancient local cults with Hindu and Buddhist , and preserving strong ties to nature.

Sacred trees, revered ancestors

 The popular face of Balinese religion is dominant mountainous areas of the island, around the 8c villages. It also persists elsewhere as the deepest aspect ­ of beliefs and rituals, blending indigenous Austronesian components with ancient Hindu-Buddhist element which reached Bali 2000 years ago. The roots e ­ dition are animist, and combine cults of natural and fertility with ancestral worship.

This primordial essence shows in the cult c - and vaginal objects, usually megalithic, as well as trees. Each revered tree is "dressed up" as a signis "alive", and harbours a shrine where people p their offerings. One of the key characters of Balinese , the Barong (dragon-lion), is lord of the forest mask is cut "live" from the swath of a sacred . tree. Every village is protected by a sacred banyan.