07/09/2024
SHIWA-BUDDHA
By: I Nyoman Kurniawan
The original religion of the Balinese people is Shiva-Buddhism. But over time, this reality is not even understood by many Balinese people today. The beginning of this confusion occurred, possibly due to political factors in Indonesia in the 1950s, which made Balinese people "forced" to label their religion as Hinduism, so that the Balinese religion would be recognized by the state.
When I expressed this, some people's responses were strange.
There are those who immediately think that the Buddha in question is Theravada Buddhism as is currently the majority in Indonesia. They may not know that the long history of Buddhism in Bali is not Theravada Buddhism, but is Sogata and Mahayana Ta***ic Buddhism.
There are those who rashly deny it by saying that the Buddha in question is budhi and not Buddhist teachings or worship of the Buddha. They may forget the temple that is famous in the world of tourism, namely Goa Gajah Temple, which contains the ruins of a large stupa and the Panca Tathagata pratima statue in the Sanghyang Ratu Petapan mandala. They may have forgotten one of the icons of Tampaksiring, namely the Pegulingan Temple with its large stupa and the Panca Tathagata pratima statue. They may not know that the Buddhist Pedanda regularly chants the Five Tathagatas mantra. They may not know that there are many ancient Buddha and Boddhisattva statues scattered in hundreds of holy places in Bali, such as Samuan Tiga Temple, Durga Kutri Temple, Besakih Temple, Pusering Jagat Temple, Pucak Tulisan Temple, etc. They may not know about the discovery of ancient stamps or tablets of Buddhist mantras and the existence of various papyrus containing Buddhist mantras.
There have been many reviews and results of historical research, that the island of Bali [with its main sea ports in Pacung and Sembiran] has been included in the maritime routes for international maritime trade on the Asian continent since 200 years before Christ. The main route is the east coast of India, Thailand [Khao Sam Kaeo], Java [Batujaya] and Bali [Pacung and Sembiran]. When Shiva's teachings and Buddhism first came to the island of Bali, they were two different teachings. Furthermore, since the 7th and 8th centuries AD, these two teachings have experienced strong syncretism, which influenced each other and were closely intertwined. One of the most impressive artifacts of this syncretism is the Lingga Yoni and the adjoining Stupa at Paiguman Temple. There is also a shrine of Goddess Durga Mahisasuramardini and Boddhisattva Amoghapasa side by side at Durga Kutri Temple. As well as various other evidence of syncretism. Shiva and Buddha united on the island of Bali to become Shiva-Buddha.
Shiva-Buddha on the island of Bali are one, they cannot be separated. It cannot be Shiva alone and it cannot be Buddha alone. Can't get rid of Shiva and can't get rid of Buddha. Shiva-Buddha is the old root of Balinese civilization. Eliminating one of them is the same as burning one of the old roots of Bali Island civilization. And if the roots burn, the tree will burn too.
Logic, intellect, theology, philosophy, are just a few ways to explain things. And by retelling all this old history, together with the beauty of feeling, sensitivity and connection, this old history is weaving Balinese life into a light of peace, which is connected to the old roots of Balinese civilization.
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I Nyoman Kurniawan
