Indonesia has the highest percentage of Muslims of any nation in the world. However, in Bali, over 90% of the population practices Balinese Hinduism. Balinese Hinduism focuses less on reincarnation than traditional Hinduism and is more concerned with local and ancestral spirits, which are believed to be capable of good or harm. (Note: that is a gross over-simplification of a complex belief system that goes back centuries.)
It took about two minutes to figure out that Balinese religion isn’t something that is only observed a certain day of the week or part of the year. It seems to truly be a way of life, deeply woven into the culture.
In the US, “my home is my castle” is a figure of speech. If a Balinese said “my home is my temple” he would be speaking literal truth. Each Balinese family home, actually a compound, can house multiple generations of family members and includes a temple. The exterior of the compound (we never entered one) looks like a temple:
Temples and worship don’t end at home. For example, a family of rice farmers would have a small temple located in their field where they could place daily offerings. (It is the little post on the left-hand side of the photo.)
A collection of family rice fields would then have a “community” temple. Likewise, a collection of family compounds, called a banjar, would have a community temple.
Temple-like architecture extends well beyond buildings that are meant for religious ceremonies. Even structures in the city center, where art businesses, market, and restaurants are located, had architectural features that looked like a temple, such as these:
It was actually difficult for us to discern the function of some buildings – home, business, or community-gathering-place!
There were also large, historic, open-air temples that were meant for religious pilgrimages (and are now filled with tourists like us) and major ceremonies. We visited three such temples one day.
To enter these temples, visitors must adhere to the dress code. This meant wearing a sarong – not just me and Lydia, but Dave as well – with a scarf around the waist. It didn’t matter if the outfit matched or made any sense, but to not have those articles of clothing on was considered indecent. Fortunately, our hosts at the villa had sarongs to loan us; they told us to just wear them over our normal clothes. Fashionistas, we were not.
The Elephant Cave Temple (in case you are wondering, the carved wall isn't supposed to look like an elephant - the elephant is inside):
Temple by the river:
And a holy water temple: 
But, structures and architecture don’t make a faith come alive; that comes from people practicing their beliefs. We saw Balinese Hinduism in action daily…more on that next.
It took about two minutes to figure out that Balinese religion isn’t something that is only observed a certain day of the week or part of the year. It seems to truly be a way of life, deeply woven into the culture.
In the US, “my home is my castle” is a figure of speech. If a Balinese said “my home is my temple” he would be speaking literal truth. Each Balinese family home, actually a compound, can house multiple generations of family members and includes a temple. The exterior of the compound (we never entered one) looks like a temple:
Temples and worship don’t end at home. For example, a family of rice farmers would have a small temple located in their field where they could place daily offerings. (It is the little post on the left-hand side of the photo.)
A collection of family rice fields would then have a “community” temple. Likewise, a collection of family compounds, called a banjar, would have a community temple.
Temple-like architecture extends well beyond buildings that are meant for religious ceremonies. Even structures in the city center, where art businesses, market, and restaurants are located, had architectural features that looked like a temple, such as these:
It was actually difficult for us to discern the function of some buildings – home, business, or community-gathering-place!
There were also large, historic, open-air temples that were meant for religious pilgrimages (and are now filled with tourists like us) and major ceremonies. We visited three such temples one day.
To enter these temples, visitors must adhere to the dress code. This meant wearing a sarong – not just me and Lydia, but Dave as well – with a scarf around the waist. It didn’t matter if the outfit matched or made any sense, but to not have those articles of clothing on was considered indecent. Fortunately, our hosts at the villa had sarongs to loan us; they told us to just wear them over our normal clothes. Fashionistas, we were not.
The Elephant Cave Temple (in case you are wondering, the carved wall isn't supposed to look like an elephant - the elephant is inside):
Temple by the river: And a holy water temple: But, structures and architecture don’t make a faith come alive; that comes from people practicing their beliefs. We saw Balinese Hinduism in action daily…more on that next.
I have LOVED following along on your trip! It has been amazing and so beautiful and makes me want to travel to Bali! Thanks for doing such a wonderful job of documenting all of your adventures and the beauty you have seen!
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