From the old lady patiently weaving strips of leaf into small baskets for offerings to the young child barely walking being wrapped in ceremonial cloth, every Balinese person is intimately involved in the faith and is, at the same time, an essential expression of Balinese Hinduism.

What you can experience as a visitor to Bali is just an introduction to the all-pervasive nature of the religion, one which has survived generations of potentially threatening influences. The Balinese do not act out their faith, they live it, and expressions of faith are perceived to be essential to survival. They are continually immersed in Hinduism, and their daily actions are an expression of it. It is arguably one of the most intense personal experiences, one of the most wholistic of all faiths in its expresssion.

Although the Hindu faith is, in fact, one of a few faiths represented in Bali, its overwhelming majority presence is clear and is made all the more obvious by the colourful and extravagant nature of the religion, particularly in its Balinese form.

The sheer number of ceremonial occassions as well as daily ritualistic requirements, the importance of colourful dress in each of these, the emphasis on size resulting in larger than life effigies and fruit towers as displays of loyalty to the faith - these demonstrate HinduismÕs central presence in the local community and reflect its importance.

The faith is now so much a part of the Balinese identity and daily lifestyle that it is impossible to consider it as anything separate to the island culture, and to be Balinese now implies much of what the Hindu faith encompasses. This intensely personal involvement is, perhaps, the key to the faithÕs incredible survival.

A blend of faiths and traditions
The form of Hinduism that is unique to Bali is called Agama Hindu Dharma, which is really a blend of Shivaism and Buddhism. Having originated from Java, this form of Hinduism originally came down from India before becoming established in the East Javan Majapahit Empire, finally moving across to Bali when Islam swept through Java from the west, wiping out pre-established beliefs. Hinduism merged with indigenous beliefs to create the fascinating blend of theological interpretation with more tribal rituals.

The strong emphasis on the power of nature and the natural elements and of the ancestors reflect the persistent presence of indigenous beliefs in Balinese Hinduism. Spirits control or guide each of the natural elements, and these spirits must be worshipped and appeased regularly in order to maintain spiritual equilibrium. Each of these spirits is housed in a specially made shrine and given offerings with material value and to provide physical sustenance.

The underlying principle which shapes the Hindu beliefs is the notion that the universe is specifically ordered and organised rather than haphazardly random, but that a balance must be kept between the negative and positive forces to maintain this order. The essence of Hinduism, then, is the desire to promote equilibrium between order (dharma) and disorder (adharma). Every living and non-living thing is an integral part of the ordered whole of the universe, and therefore actions must always be considered in relation to how they affect others. OneÕs actions, or karma, must therefore be in harmony with dharma in order to make a positive contribution to the world.