Author: Ratnadeep Banerji
Publication: Organiser
Date: August 24, 2008
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=251&page=16
Introduction: Agama Hindu Dharma is the variant
of Hinduism as practised in Indonesia. It upholds the sanctity of the Vedas
as its supreme scripture though only two of the Vedas were ever able to reach
Bali. Other scriptures include the Puranas and the Itihasa (mainly comprising
the Ramayana and the Mahabharata).
Agama Hindu Dharma believes in one Supreme
Being and that all the gods like Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the preserver
and Shiva as the destroyer are manifestations of this Supreme Being. Lord
Shiva is worshipped under different forms such as Batara Guru and Maharaja
Dewa and often closely related with the Sun in Kebatinan that is the local
form of Hinduism and even in the genie lore of Muslims.
"Religion is the manifestation of divinity
already present in man" as Swami Vivekananda put it succinctly. And quite
so, Hinduism with its tenet, 'Truth is One' has burgeoned and blossomed in
pluralistic societies with aplomb panache. Proselytizing has ever since been
disdained upon. But yet, the latent charisma has permeated into alien lands
percolating into varied ethnic strata. Southeast Asian archipelago stands
testimony to the affable nature of Hinduism, be it Malayasia, Indonesia, Thailand,
Vietnam, Myanmar, or the Philippines notwithstanding the prevailing state
religion, Hinduism is alongside revered and practised. In the south-east Asia,
Hinduism has made forays into its culture in multifarious realms, be it language
and script or art and architecture.
This saga of transmigration of Hinduism erupted
in around 200 BC when traders from India, in particular Magadha and Tamil
kingdoms fared the sea to reach Dwipantara or Jawa Dweepa on the islands of
Java and Sumatra. Champa civilisation in southern parts of Central Vietnam,
Funan and Khmer Empire in Cambodia, the Srivijayan kingdom in Sumatra, the
Singhsari kingdom and the Majapahit kingdom based in Java, Bali and the Phillipine
archipelago have all put up a resilient scintillating tapestry of pervasive
Hinduism.
Indonesia-Java, Bali, Sumatra, Malaya, Kalimantan
(major part of erstwhile Borneo), Lombok, down the ages Hinduism has held
a major sway over Bali, Java and Sumatra as well as in Lombok and Kalimantan
in realms of religion and culture. Sanskrit was highly esteemed throughout.
During the sixth and seventh centuries while the trade interactions was on
the rise several scholars from India visited these kingdoms to translate literary
and religious texts.
Agama Hindu Dharma is the variant of Hinduism
as practised in Indonesia. It upholds the sanctity of the Vedas as its supreme
scripture though only two of the Vedas were ever able to reach Bali. Other
scriptures include the Puranas and the Itihasa (mainly comprising the Ramayana
and the Mahabharata). Agama Hindu Dharma believes in one Supreme Being and
that all the gods like Brahma as the creator, Vishnu as the preserver and
Shiva as the destroyer are manifestations of this Supreme Being. Lord Shiva
is worshipped under different forms such as Batara Guru and Maharaja Dewa
and often closely related with the Sun in Kebatinan that is the local form
of Hinduism and even in the genie lore of Muslims. The caste system, the Varnas
of Hinduism though adopted but was not impinged upon the Indonesian society.
The Brahmins became the Brahmanas, Kshatriyas became the Satriyas or Devas,
Vaishyas became the waisyas and the Shudras became the sudras.
In Bali as much as 93 per cent of the total
population follows Agama Hindu Dharma though taken overall among the Indonesian
population, only about 3 per cent is Hindu. In fact, Indonesian beliefs are
inexorably interlinked that it turns ambiguous to classify any one religion
as a distinctive religion.
Java
Majapahit stood an Indianised kingdom based
in eastern Java during 1293 to 1500. It marked the last of the major Hindu
empires of the Malay Archipelago. Majapahit hegemony prevailed over Java.
Garuda was prevalent in several temples including Prambanan temple complex
initially erected during Mataram era. The well-known statue of King Airlangga
has Vishnu riding Garuda. During Airlangga's reign, Mpu Kanwa composed the
Arjuna Wiwaha text, an adaptation culled from the Mahabharata. Sanskrit language
was held in high esteem. Several Hindu kingdoms flourished in the region with
Majapahit being the most prominent. In the sixteenth century when the Muslim
kingdoms became powerful, Java was substantially converted to Islam (except
the eastern part) the remnants of Majapahit shifted to Bali.
The deified statue of King Airlangga embodies
Vishnu mounting Garuda, found in Java.
In Java, Islam crept in but it ran rough shod
at popular and cultural level. Despite the majority of Javanese becoming Muslims
kowtowing their rulers, they remained Hindus in their heart. Existing indigenous
Javanese and Hindu traditions remained with the rural population and even
the royal courts carried on the ritual practices. Even now, substantial number
of Muslims follow a non-orthodox form, Islam Kharma that is influenced by
Hinduism.
Hindu-animist fusion emerged in several Javanese
communities and remained preserved. The Osings of East Java have great similarities
to that of Bali. Despite the Buddhist affiliation by the Government, Tenggerese
religion has elements of Hinduism as they worship the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu
and Shiva. The Badui besides having their own religion bear several Hindu
traits.
The statue of Harihara, with twin combination
of Shiva and Vishnu
The Prambanan temple complex has an effulgent
grandeur on account of its stupendous architecture. The main shrine is dedicated
to Lord Shiva flanked by Vishnu and Brahma on either side. In the front of
these temples are smaller temples, dedicated to the vahanas (mounts) of these
Gods. There are other shrines as well, dedicated to Durga, Rishi Agastya and
his son Lord Ganesha. The balustrades of these main shrines have bas-relief
that depicts exquisite bas-relief portraying legends from the Ramayana. Quite
sadly, the temple stands damaged after the earthquake of 2006.
The three main shrines of the trinity in Prambanan
temple complex-a UNESCO World heritage site
Bali
Rishi Markandeya spread Buddhism to Bali in
the fifth century AD. Balinese Hinduism lacks the traditional Hindu make over
putting lesser emphasis on scriptures, laws and beliefs. Instead art and rituals
take the lead. Beliefs in concepts of rebirth and reincarnation take a backstage
but a myriad of local and ancestral spirits are revered. Balinese Hinduism
lay great emphasis on dramatic and aesthetically gratifying acts of ritual
propitiation to appease spirits at temples widely scattered all around.
The Mother Temple of Besakih belongs to Angma
Hindu Dharma, a significant temple in Bali
Hindu holidays in Bali
Hari Raya Saraswati is a Hindu holiday in
Bali devoted to Goddess Saraswati. The Balinese year is of 210 days and Saraswati
Day marks the New Year, according to Balinese Pawukon calendar. Balinese Hindus
celebrate the day to commemorate her success in taming the wandering and lustful
mind of her consort, Brahma who was preoccupied with the goddess of material
existence, Shatarupa. Interestingly, on this day no one is allowed to read
and write and offerings are made to the lontar (palm-leaf scripts), books
and shrines. Elaborate prayers and celebrations on a huge scale mark the occasion.
Hari Raya Nyepi is a Hindu day of Silence
and marks the Hindu New Year in the Balinese Saka calendar. It is the largest
celebration held in Bali as well as in Balinese
Hindu communities around Indonesia
Hari Raya Galungan is celebrated to mark the
incarnation of gods and the ancestral spirits to earth to dwell again.
Sumatra and Malaya (present Malaysia)
The last prince of Srivijayan kingdom of Sumatra after loosing to Majapahits
converted to Islam in 1414 to seek alliance with the Portuguese. Hinduism
finds itself in the local customs adats and in norms of customary law and
conflict resolution. The Bataks of Sumatra have identified their animist traditions
with Hinduism.
Hinduism was rife in Malaysia till the 15th
century when Islamisation started. Traces of Hindu influence remain in the
Malay language, literature and art. During the 19th and 20th centuries Indian
settlers thronged the rubber plantations and Hinduism went along with them.
Shaivite tradition is in vogue. But Hinduism remains in a sordid state with
widespread persecution and temple demolitions.
The statue of Hindu deity Murugan, stands
at 42.7m at the Batu Caves in Malaysia. It was built in 1891.
Erstwhile Borneo (presently Kalimantan, East
Malaysia, Brunei) and Sulawesi
Hinduism in Sulawesi is a rather recent phenomenon.
It was by Balinese migrants to the islands in 1963. In 1977, the Trojas of
the island converted to Hinduism en masse. To desist from conversions by Christian
missionaries who tried to woo them, the Trojas took to Hinduism to preserve
their faith and practice of animist nature. However, their practices are unlike
Balinese Hinduism or Indian Hinduism.
The Dayak adherents of the Kaharingan religion
(officially put under Hinduism) in Kalimantan Tengah account for 15.8 per
cent of population as of 1995. They resemble Balinese Hindus.
Hinduism exists in some nondescript islands
of Indonesia
In the Lombok Island, the Bodha sect of the
Sasak people practise a religion that is admixture of Hinduism and Buddhism
with animism though the government has officially sanctioned it as Buddhism.
Several of Manusela and Nuaulu people of Seram follow Naurus, a syncretism
of Hinduism with animist and protestant elements.
(To be continued)
