Makna Meru bagi Tahapan Kehidupan di Bumi

Bentuk pelinggih Meru yang ada di Bali terutama di Pura Padharman pada awalnya berbentuk candi. Seperti meru di Pura Padharman Ida Dalem Klungkung di Besakih, semuanya berbentuk Candi Prasada dibuat dari batu bata. Saat Gunung Agung meletus tahun 1963, semua pelinggih Candi Prasada itu hancur. Dalam perbaikannya hanya Candi Prasada yang bertingkat sebelas kembali dibangun dalam wujud Candi Prasada. Sedangkan yang lainnya dibangun kembali dalam wujud pelinggih Meru dari yang tumpang sembilan sampai dengan yang bertumpang tiga. Apa sesungguhnya makna meru bagi umat dalam mengarungi tahapan kehidupan di bumi ini?
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DALAM Lontar Andha Bhuwana ada dinyatakan bahwa meru itu sebagai lambang alam semesta (Meru ngaran pratiwimba Andha Bhuwana). Dalam lontar yang sama juga dinyatakan sbb: Pawangunan pelinggih makadi meru muang candi, juga pratiwimba saking pengelukunan wijaksara dasaksara mewastu manunggal dadi Om. Artinya: Bangunan suci (pelinggih) terutama meru dan candi juga simbol dari pemutaran huruf suci wijaksara dasaksara menunggal menjadi Om.
Dari penjelasan Lontar Andha Bhuwana ini yang menyatakan tumpang atap meru di samping melambangkan lapisan alam juga melambangkan pemutaran huruf suci yang disebut wijaksara sampai dasaksara. Huruf suci yang disebut aksara itu dinyatakan sebagai ''ruping bhuwana''. Pemutaran wijaksara sampai menjadi dasaksara dan kembali menjadi wijaksara Om itu melukiskan bahwa di setiap lapisan alam ini ada aksara sucinya. Misalnya di Tri Loka ada Tri Aksara Ang Ung Mang sebagai uripnya. Di Panca Loka ada Panca Aksara sebagai uripnya. Demikian seterusnya, di setiap lapisan alam itu ada aksara simbol urip yang menjadi sumber hidup dari setiap lapisan alam tersebut.
Apa yang dinyatakan dalam Lontar Andha Bhuwana ini sebagai penegasan dari pernyataan Mantra Veda yang menyatakan bahwa Tuhan itu ada di mana-mana. Lebih lanjut lontar Andha Bhuwana menyatakan sbb: Sowang panta ika maka sthananira mwah angalih aran. Catur Dasa panta ika, sapta Loka kaluhur mwang sapta Patala ming sor. Artinya, setiap lapisan itu sebagai sthana beliau (Hyang Widhi) yang masing-masing berganti nama.
Empat belas lapisan sthana beliau (Hyang Widhi) yang masing-masing berganti nama. Empat belas lapisan itu Sapta Loka ke atas dan Sapta Patala ke bawah. Apa makna dari pelukisan semua lapisan alam ini sebagai sthana Hyang Widhi Tuhan Yang Mahakuasa dengan sebutan yang berbeda-beda pada setiap lapisan.
Tuhan yang selalu berada di setiap lapisan alam ini hendaknya dimaknai sebagai suatu peringatan agar manusia selalu berlaku baik dan benar di setiap lapisan alam ini. Asih, Punia, dan Bhakti wajib dilakukan oleh umat manusia di setiap lapisan alam.
Asih dan Punia kepada alam dan semua makhluk hidup termasuk manusia di setiap lapisan alam ini. Melakukan Asih dan Punia kepada alam dan sesama umat manusia itu sebagai salah satu wujud bakti pada Tuhan. Tidaklah tepat di suatu lapisan alam tertentu manusia boleh saja berbuat semena-mena demi kenikmatan hidup di lapisan yang lain. Seperti di wilayah pemukimannya, manusia menciptakan berbagai fasilitas hidup yang memberi kenikmatan, tetapi di lapisan lain menimbulkan kerusakan alam yang hebat.
Misalnya manusia ingin memiliki mobil dengan berbagai merek dan jenisnya. Semuanya itu agar mereka dapat dengan mudah ke mana maunya. Untuk memenuhi itu, berbagai bagian bumi ini dieksploitasi untuk memenuhi kebutuhan akan bijih besi dan minyak bumi. Sudah semakin banyak perut bumi dilubangi dalam-dalam dan luas untuk mendapatkan berbagai mineral yang tak terbarukan yang dijadikan bahan-bahan baku untuk membuat barang-barang industri demi memenuhi kebutuhan umat manusia mendapatkan hidup yang nikmat.
Jika sudah datang gilirannya, maka alam yang dirusak itu akan membawa manusia pada hidup yang duka lebih dalam dari pada kenikmatan yang didapatkan. Demikian juga untuk memiliki rumah yang mewah, indah dan memberikan kenikmatan yang serba wah pada pemukimnya membutuhkan berbagai mineral yang tak terbarukan. Seperti besi, ubin, pasir, semen dan juga kayu yang dapat menimbulkan kerusakan hutan.
Seandainya semakin banyak orang yang mau tinggal di rumah yang tidak terlalu mewah dan serba wah itu, mungkin tidak banyak sumber-sumber alam yang dirusak. Alam pun akan asri dan lestari, hidup tumbuh-tumbuhan, hewan dan manusia pun akan seimbang, tidak saling terancam.
Meru dengan tumpang-tumpang atapnya itu hendaknya dapat memberikan kita pemahaman bahwa hidup di lapisan alam tertentu jangan sampai merusak keadaan hidup di lapisan alam yang lain. Meskipun kita berbuat di Bhur Loka tetapi akibatnya dapat menembus Bhuwah Loka bahkan Swah Loka. Kalau kita berbuat tidak baik dan benar di Bhur Loka ini seperti merabas hutan, menggunakan sarana hidup yang serba mesin tetapi tidak laik operasional juga bisa menimbulkan kerusakan di angkasa.
Mesin yang tidak laik jalan misalnya mesin yang menimbulkan gas buang yang melebihi ambang batas dapat merusak langit bahkan menimbulkan gas rumah kaca di udara. Hal ini yang akan menghalangi panas naik ke angkasa dan balik ke bumi menimbulkan pemanasan global membuat suhu bumi meningkat. Udara yang dihirup oleh manusia pun menjadi semakin kotor. Hidup manusia pun akan semakin resah. Konon larutan logam berat yang melebihi ambang batas dalam darah manusia, dapat menimbulkan gangguan mental pada manusia.
Manusia bisa lebih emosional dan meledak-ledak karena ada gangguan mental. Sedih dan gembira akan diekspresikan secara ekstrim oleh manusia yang dalam darahnya mengandung larutan logam berat melebihi ambang batas. Kalau di setiap lapisan bumi ini kita mampu tegakan Rta dan Dharma sebagai dasar berbuat maka durian inilah yang akan menuntun kita menuju alam tertinggi yaitu Satya Loka yang dilukiskan oleh tumpang meru yang teratas yang juga disebut sebagai lambang Omkara.

Dunia ini dengan semua lapisannya berdimensi ganda. Bisa membawa manusia menuju surga dan bisa juga sebagai sarana mengantarkan menuju neraka. Kalau hukum alam dan hukum manusia (Rta dan Dharma) ditegakkan di setiap lapisan bumi ini maka manusia pun dapat mencapai Satya sebagai dasar menuju surga. * wiana

Melindungi ''Tri Chanda'' di Pura Luhur Batukaru

dari : Bali Post Online

Pemujaan Tuhan sebagai Sang Hyang Tumuwuh di Pura Luhur Batukaru sebagai suatu pemujaan untuk memotivasi umat manusia agar secara nyata melakukan langkah melindungi Tri Chanda sebagaimana dinyatakan dalam Mantra Atharvaveda XVIII.17. Yang dimaksud Tri Chanda itu adalah air, tumbuh-tumbuhan dan udara. Kalau keberadaan tiga benda yang menutupi bumi ini tidak terganggu oleh ulah manusia yang mau hidup berlebihan maka Tri Chanda itulah yang berfungsi untuk menjadi sumber yang menumbuhkan kehidupan ini. Apa fungsi Tri Chanda di Pura Luhur Batukaru itu?

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Tri Chanda itulah yang menyebabkan keberadaan Pura Luhur Batukaru sangat alami sesuai dengan tattwa yang melatarbelakangi keberadaan Pura Luhur Batukaru tersebut. Demikian juga Pura Presanak atau Jajar Kemiri dari Pura Luhur Batukaru ini melambangkan nilai-nilai spiritual yang memotivasi umat agar senantiasa menjaga kelestarian eksistensi Tri Chanda tersebut. Penampilan fisik Pura Luhur Batukaru tersebut amat artistik mengikuti rona alam di lingkungan pura.

Di Pura Luhur Batukaru ini di samping ada bangunan utama, di sebelah timurnya terdapat sumber mata air terdiri atas dua kompleks. Ada kompleks yang berlokasi di jeroan (dalam) pura pokok yang dipergunakan khusus untuk memohon Tirtha (air suci) untuk kepentingan upacara. Kompleks yang kedua adalah untuk kepentingan mandi dan cuci muka sebagai pembersihan diri dalam rangka persiapan untuk bersembahyang.

Upacara piodalan di pura ini jatuh setiap 210 hari sekali yaitu pada setiap Kamis Wuku Dungulan sehari setelah hari raya Galungan. Suatu yang unik di Pura Luhur Batukaru adalah mengenai upacara piodalan dan upacara besar lainnya tidak pernah dipimpin oleh pandita. Upacara cukup dipimpin oleh pemangku yang disebut Jero Kubayan. Di pura ini Dr. R. Goris, seorang ahli ilmu arkeologi, pernah mengadakan penelitian pada tahun 1928.

Di pura ini, Goris banyak menjumpai patung-patung yang tipenya serupa dengan patung yang terdapat di Goa Gajah yaitu patung yang keluar pancuran air dari pusarnya. Bedanya patung di Goa Gajah berdiri, sedangkan yang di Pura Batukaru duduk bersila. Menurut Goris, patung yang terdapat di Batukaru sezaman dengan patung di Goa Gajah.

Pura Luhur Batukaru denahnya dibagi menjadi tiga mandala. Bangunan yang paling utama di denah yang paling utama atau Utama Mandala berupa candi yang bentuknya sangat mirip dengan bentuk candi di Jawa Timur. Bentuknya ramping atapnya terdiri atas perpaduan tingkatan (punden berundak-undak). Candi utama ini diapit oleh Candi Perwara, serta di ujung kiri dan kanannya diapit oleh Padmasana. Jadi pada leretan bangunan utama terdapat lima bangunan atau pelinggih. Di candi utama inilah dipuja Dewa Mahadewa. Masyarakat menyebutnya Ratu Hyang Tumuwuh.

Mengapa Dewa Mahadewa diberi gelar Ratu Hyang Tumuwuh. Karena untuk menjaga keterpaduan air, udara dan tumbuh-tumbuhan di bumi ini. Agar semua alam tersebut terpadu adanya, sebagai langkah awal umat mohon tuntunan Tuhan sebagai Sang Hyang Tumuwuh. Karena Tuhanlah sebagai mahapencipta semua unsur alam tersebut. Sebutan Tuhan sebagai Sang Hyang Tumuwuh memang sebutan yang amat lokal Bali. Tetapi dibaliknya terdapat nilai-nilai universal tentang etika perlakuan sumber-sumber alam ciptaan Tuhan tersebut. Kalau udara kotor, sumber-sumber air tak terlindungi maka tumbuh-tumbuhan pun akan merana. Kalau tumbuh-tumbuhan merana hidup manusia pun akan menderita kekurangan bahan makanan dan obat-obatan.

Pelinggih utama di Pura Luhur Batukaru berbentuk Candi bukan Meru. Ini jelas pengaruh arsitektur Jawa Timur dan India. Candi tersebut merupakan tempat pemujaan Dewa Mahadewa. Candi diapit oleh Candi Perwara. Di sudut timur laut dan barat laut terdapat Pelinggih Padma Ratu Bagus Panji dan Ratu Puseh Kubayan.

Di pojok barat daya ada dua bangunan Gedong paling selatan berjejer. Dua Gedong itu sebagai Pedharman Raja Badung dan Raja Tabanan. Kedua Raja ini adalah satu klan. Di areal Utama Mandala terdapat tidak kurang dari 24 bangunan penting dan pelengkap. Di areal kedua yang disebut Madya Mandala ada sebuah Pelinggih Gedong stana Ratu Pasek sebagai tempat memohon suksesnya upacara yadnya.

Di pojok barat laut ada Gedong Simpen untuk tempat menyimpan Pratima. Di selatan Gedong Simpen tersebut terdapat bangunan Balai Agung dengan dua belas tiang. Balai Agung ini tempat berkumpulnya semua simbol sakral terutama saat Melasti. Pura Batukaru ini di samping sebagai Pura Sad Kahyangan juga berkedudukan sebagai Pura Catur Loka Pala sebagaimana disebutkan dalam Lontar Purana Bali. Di timur Pura Lempuhyang Luhur, di selatan Pura Andakasa, di bBarat Pura Luhur Batukaru dan utara Pura Pucak Mangu.

Pura Luhur Batukaru juga sebagai Pura Padma Bhuwana yaitu sembilan pura yang mengelilingi Pulau Bali. Pura Padma Bhuwana sebagai lambang pemujaan Tuhan yang ada di mana-mana di sembilan penjuru alam semesta. Tidak ada bagian alam semesta ini tanpa kehadiran Tuhan. Keberadaan Tuhan seperti itulah yang diekspresikan di sembilan pura di Pulau Bali.

Kalau penerapan konsep ketuhanan agama Hindu di Bali ini benar-benar dihayati, maka umat Hindu tidak akan berhenti pada sembahyang dengan upacara yadnya saja dalam mengamalkan ajaran. Itu baru langkah mengarah pada aspek niskala untuk membangun daya spiritual umat. Yang niskala itu seharusnya di-sekala-kan dalam perilaku hidup sehari-hari untuk secara aktif menjaga eksistensi Tri Chanda tersebut sesuai dengan sifat alaminya.

Dalam Chanakya Niti XIV, 18 dinyatakan bahwa untuk mendapatkan hidup sejahtera lindungilah lima hal yaitu: Dharma (kesucian agama) Dhana (aset publik), Dhanyam (bahan makanan), Guru Wacana (kata-kata bijak guru suci), dan Ausada (sistem kesehatan). Kelima unsur tersebut akan terjaga dengan diawali untuk melindungi Tri Chanda bumi ini. Di Bali banyak sekali warisan para resi guru suci berupa kata-kata bijak sebagai pegangan untuk menjaga Tri Chanda dan lima hal untuk membangun hidup sejahtra. * wiana

Aku Ingin

This poem is writen by a prominent Indonesian poet that I cut off from a news paper some years ago... ... I thought that I had lost it, but it holed up in my wallet. I decide to write it down into my blog...to share this beautiful work.


aku ingin mencintaimu dengan sederhana:
dengan kata yang tak sempat diucapkan
kayu kepada api yang menjadikannya abu

aku ingin mencintaimu dengan sederhana:
dengan isyarat yang tak sempat disampaikan
awan kepada hujan yang menjadikannya tiada

I want to love you simply
in words unspoken
tinder to the flame which transforms it to ash

I want to love you simply
in signs not expressedas
clouds to the rain which makes them evanesce

-sapardi djoko damono (1989)-

Fear and Freedom in Indonesian Cities

by : Roy Voragen, Jakarta
http://fatumbrutum.blogspot.com/

Since March 5, 2003, I have been in Indonesia. The last time I had Dutch soil under my feet was, according to my passport -- my diary -- nearly three yeas ago. Did I somewhere cross a line without noticing it? In the past few years I collected dozens of pages filled with stamps, signatures and corrections from various state officials. Did I somehow become an immigrant without ever making that decision? Expatriated?

I've begun to feel at home here, though. Indonesia is nesting underneath my skin -- the dust, the dirt, the heat, the jams, the noise -- the thrills for me, the urban junkie. I walk around Indonesian cities and, on purpose, I get lost. In these moments of losing a sense of direction I can get to know these new cities. I circle around. I come back to the same point many times -- I am a slow walker.

I am a walker, a wandering walker. Which many middle class Indonesians, especially, consider odd. They say: "You will get sunburned. You will get robbed. You will get dirty." I can confirm the last one. Yes, I get dirty. Sometimes I slip and get all muddy. The pollution in some cities is a brilliant sun block (though I don't mind some color on my skin). And so far I have been lucky when it comes to being robbed (and I have to say, I feel safer here than in Amsterdam).
Still, I walk. And as I walk and meet my fellow urbanites, I talk to them and take their photographs. And as I walk round and round and get lost I get to know these Indonesian cities while I photograph them.

It is often said that we humans are by nature social beings. But we urbanites feel ambiguous. At times we feel alienated. We get lonely -- lost in between concrete and asphalt. At such times we hide our vulnerability behind facades and masquerades, with ironies and metaphors. As an expatriate, I am an outsider. However, always being treated as an outsider is rather alienating. In my optimistic hope and cosmopolitan moods I hope for days to come when passports and visas are considered folklore as much as the border crossings of my childhood to Belgium and Germany. Perhaps Alle Menschen werden Brder will remain utopia, but the slogans sans frontiers and sans papiers seem to me happy striking notes.

Culture shock is not so much dealing with new values and norms, for there are things of universal value, such as the value of individual human life. Culture shock occurs when I -- the alien -- realize that the rules of communication have changed (a chair is no longer a chair). And when the rules of communication change the modes of relating to the world and other people alter completely. So, what to expect? This new perspective -- or lack thereof -- is not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, many expatriates cocoon together in their fancy clubs to recreate a sense of home. But why do they try so hard to create a sense of home so far away from home in a tropical country like Indonesia?

In my opinion it is a blessing in disguise. This new perspective gives freedom. This is freedom as a form of naivete. I cannot see the world through a set of categories, but now I can sense details, the chaos of the multitude of beautiful and horrific details. When I told an Indonesian friend that I feel safer in Indonesian cities than in their Dutch counterparts he was rather startled. Ok, Indonesian cities appear messy; and arriving at Gambir station isn't without its difficulties. Nevertheless, I've never run into problems here, and in Dutch cities, on the other hand, I've been molested twice.

The first time I went to Semarang I was told not to arrive at the station area at night, presumably because prostitutes are a dangerous species. I never had a problem with one of the members of the oldest profession, though. I guess it is a silent pact: I don't bother them and they don't bother me. I spent five weeks in Semarang as an artist-in-residence at a local gallery house. On my many walks around the city I met a lot of people. At the end of my time there my best friend visited, and I took him around to show him a city he'd never seen. He was surprised how many people greeted me. He was even more surprised when who he thought was a hoodlum started to chat with us. I asked my friend how he could be so sure the man was a criminal, and he answered that the man had tattoos, even though my friend had a tattoo as well.
I guess it is difficult to approach another person without prejudice. A prejudice is a reflection of fears. But it is exactly that fear we ought to fear, because this fear builds gated communities and no-go areas. Can we postpone judgment and become free?

The quality of public space in our cities -- our, because I am an inhabitant of these Indonesian cities as well -- increases if we realize that we have these prejudices. And we want public space to be a civilized arena, so we should all become preman in the literal sense: Free men are free of prejudgments.

Learning German (Belajar Bahasa Jerman)

As part of my preparation to study in Germany, I now spend some times to learn the language. Fortunately, there are many 'free online German courses' on internet that one can easily take. When I arrived at the Chapter 7th which discusses 'formation of plural in German' something, written by the teacher, stroke my laughter nerve. I found it's quite funny that he/she wrote this :

"In most languages it is quite easy to form a plural. In German there are no such clear rules. The Germans were capable of creating something that even they themselves are confused about often enough. The only excuse is that the German language is based on historical facts and not on someone's invention"

Why did they make the German language so complicated and hard to understand? Or, perhaps I am too old to start such a language :)

Reflections of the Universe

The philosophy which gives order to all things is a reflection of a divine order: the macrocosmos, or Bwana Agung, is reflected within the microcosmos, or Bwana Alit, and never can one be separated from the other. The universe is split into three levels; the dominion of the Gods, the dwelling place of mankind, and the underworld of evil spirits and demons. So is the human body divided into head, body and feet Bur, Bwah, and Swah. Likewise, division of the village into the holy places and temples, the homes of the villagers, and the cemetery with its connection to death and the netherworld. Furthermore, each family compound follows a similar ground plan of family temple for the deified ancestors, living space, and back yard.

Spatial directions dictate an even more complicated lore, North, South, East, West and center are the dwelling places of the Hindu pantheon, Wisnu, Brahma, Iswara, Mahadewa and Ciwa, each with their different attributes, setting the order which mankind mil t follow to maintain harmony above and below. The location of each building is thus denoted; kitchen to the south as Brahma is the god of fire, family shrines to the northeast honouring both the holy mountain in the north and Siwa in the east. One must sleep with the head facing the north or east. Each building has a similar orientation and structure, and the layout, construction and proportions of the buildings follow a complex system of architectural rules known as the Asta Kosala Kosali, with a system of measurements based upon the body measurements of the head of the family.

The roof, pillars and foundation are representatives of the head, body and feet. As such the thatched roof of the house is wrapped with colourful strips of cloth, the ider-ider, just as a Balinese man wears a head-cloth or udeng on ceremonial occasions. Even temples have three similar divisions. The upper, northern part of the temple, known as the jeroan houses the most sacred shrines. In the middle section, or jaba tengah are pavilions for the preparation of offerings, a kitchen and storage places. The outer and lowest courtyard is the jaba. Here there is often a pavilion for meetings, cock-fights and general relaxation. Likewise, every village has three temples. The main Pura Desa, dedicated to Brahma the creator, is in the middle of the village, where it was originally erected by the ancestors. To the north is the Pura Puseh, for the worship of God in the manifestation of Wisnu, the preserver of life, and in the south is generally the Pura Dalem, domain of Siwa, who completes the cycle of existence by dissolving all physical things back to nothingness, releasing the spirit to be reborn.

The replication of this divine order in all physical aspects relating to space and orientations leads to one most important thing balance, the ultimate goal of Balinese Hinduism. Harmony and equilibrium of the two omnipresent and opposing forces, good and evil. God is both creator and destroyer. Good and evil are present in all opposing yet indivisible. By preserving this balance the Balinese are able to minimize destruction and disaster, simultaneously promoting peace and health, whilst accepting the inevitality of both. Every belief reflects an understanding and respect of the universe, an order which dominates the entire island.

A stratified society

Balinese society is traditionally divided into different levels. The nobility of Bali consist of three upper castes. Brahmanas, the teachers and priests, bear the title of Ida Bagus for men and Ida Ayu for women. The Ksatriyas, history's warrior class, are known as Dewa Agung or Cokorda, depending upon their individual family origins. The Wesya, the merchants and financiers of old, possess the name of Gusti. These upper classes evolved during feudal times and can generally trace their ancestry to the rulers and courtiers of the Hindu Majapahit Kingdom, who moved to Bali during Java's Islamic invasion in the fourteenth century.

The majority of Balinese however trace their descendancy from the original islanders who lived outside the palaces farmers and working class people known as Jaba or Sudra. Bali has no untouchables, as with the Hindus of India. Common names follow a pattern allowing for four children, the ideal family in Balinese folklore, prior to the days of family planning. Names are allocated according to position in the family. The first child is Wayan, followed by Made, Nyoman and Ketut, or a parallel of Putu, Kadek, Komang, and Ketut, depending on popular practice in the village of origin, and regardless of sex. This is the reason for the large number of Wayans and Mades to be found in Bali, a point of some amusement for visitors to the island.

The divine origin of the upper castes is little disputed, but of minor significance in today's society where opportunities for education are available to all. However, a definite respect of family origins is constantly present in the way in which people relate to each other. The first question upon introduction defines caste and consequently language of address. Intermarriage between castes, once punishable by death, is now widely accepted. This is a patriarchal society. The woman always follows her husband's caste, she receives an honorary title if she marries above her or loses her title if she marries below.

The Hindu religion of Bali, so essential to the Pattern of life, is fondly called "Agama Tirta", or the religion of holy water. Tirta is the element of purification, blessing and godliness in every Balinese ritual and ceremony. Unique in this world, this complex blend of Hinduism, ancestor worship and animism is structured in a series of rites and festivals that mark the stages of life from birth until death.

The Yadnya rituals of Bali's Hindu religion are divisible into five categories. There are Dewa Yadnya ceremonies for the Gods, Pitra Yadnya ceremonies for the ancestors, Rsi Yadnya ceremonies for the saints and founders of the religion that are performed on rare occasions, Manusa Yadnya life cycle ceremonies, and Bhuta Yadnya ceremonies to keep evil spirits at bay.

The source of all is to be found in the supreme creator, known as Sanghyang Widhi, beyond good and evil, life and death. This omnipotent life force is manifested in everything tangible and intangible, and worshipped directly as well as through the many manifestations through which He becomes comprehensible and accessible to mankind. The Holy Trinity, Trisakti, is a representation of this power in its three orientations : Brahma the Creator, Wisnu the Preserver and Siwa the Destroyer. Beneath this supreme trinity is an extensive hierarchy of lesser deities representing every aspect of nature.

If you want happiness

I find out there is always a fine wisdom in Chinese proverbs. One of those, I just read on the Jakarta Post which says as follow :

IF YOU WANT HAPPINESS FOR AN HOUR, TAKE A NAP

IF YOU WANT HAPPINESS FOR A DAY, GO FISHING

IF YOU WANT HAPINESS FOR A YEAR, INHERIT A FORTUNE

IF YOU WANT HAPPINESS FOR A LIFETIME, HELP SOMEBODY

Then I thought to myself... how far I have been going to be any help of 'somebody'...

Study in Berlin?

I received an email from a Berlin University informing me that my application for a Master Study in International and Development Economics has been approved. This seems to be a turning point of my professional life, or I don't know. For sure, I will have to leave my job at the Tax Department in Jakarta, at least for the next two years started in March. Well, there're still a lot to be arranged before I depart for Berlin in spring 2008. So, I wish myself a good luck ... :)

Lelah sehabis main futsal...

After a one-and-a- half month break, I and some collegaues from my office started again our futsal (indoor football) game. It was a lot of fun and laughter though our ageing body was forced to work harder. I have gained some 5 kgs by sitting all day infront of the computer in the past two months. I am such a lazybones, so it is time to move a littlle.... uuooohhghh

Something about Bali

Yesterday evening, while waiting for a friend, I was spending not less than an hour in the Aksara Book Store in the Plasa Indonesia shopping centre. There I found a book that one of the co-authors wrote on Bali, like this :

"The wonderful thing about trying to understand the people of Bali is that the more you know the less you know. You can spend half a lifetime studying a particular and remote village in one part of Bali, and then discover, ten years later, that the next village, less than two miles away, adheres to social and religious structures that have little to do with things you have been studying for half a lifetime"

And I think to myself, how well do I know about my homeland ....

October's Bright Blue Weather

O SUNS and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October's bright blue weather;

When loud the bumblebee makes haste,
Belated, thriftless vagrant,
And goldenrod is dying fast,
And lanes with grapes are fragrant;

When gentians roll their fingers tight
To save them for the morning,
And chestnuts fall from satin burrs
Without a sound of warning;

When on the ground red apples lie
In piles like jewels shining,
And redder still on old stone walls
Are leaves of woodbine twining;

When all the lovely wayside things
Their white-winged seeds are sowing,
And in the fields still green and fair,
Late aftermaths are growing;

When springs run low, and on the brooks,
In idle golden freighting,
Bright leaves sink noiseless in the hush
Of woods, for winter waiting;

When comrades seek sweet country haunts,
By twos and twos together,
And count like misers, hour by hour,
October's bright blue weather.
O sun and skies and flowers of June,
Count all your boasts together,
Love loveth best of all the year
October's bright blue weather.

I have butterflies in my stomach

I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach, I have butterflies in my stomach....

It feels good and, at the same time, confusing :)

i had a nice holiday

I was (am) so glad to spend 9 days on Bali. Back to my Kampoeng (mudik) in Bali and visiting several holiday spots were a perfect combination. Well, it was a busy holiday too. I have four nieces and nephews, range from 3-6 years old, who were so eager about my coming from Jakarta. Of course they also wished some presents (oleh-oleh) from 'a rich uncle from Jakarta' whom they thought was cavable to fulfill any Kids' wish! So, my time was spent a lot on baby-sitting job, taking them to the beach and buying a lot of ice cream. I also did some maintenance works in my house. As the rainy season was just started, I recognised two leaks on the roof. These had to be handled soon before I got a big complaint from Philippe (the guy who rents it). In fact, he was first found these leaks. So, I went to Ace Hardware to buy a metal ladder. We needed it to climb up to the 4-meter high roof.

The most enjoyable time was when I with some friends from Holland (on the picture : Paul, now working in Papua; Hans; Nancy; Erick; me; Henk and Aart, a guy with funny German accent, oopppss) went to a tour on my invitation. We visited the Pura Luhur Uluwatu which peacefully stood on the foot of the Mt. Batukaru (Balinese call it Batukau). This is one of the most important temple in Bali, one of the Sad Kahyangan, six important temple for Balinese Hindi people). I don't know when it built was, some says was in 17th century, but, surely must be some hundreds years ago. Before reached this temple site, we made a one-hour stop at the Butterfly Park which was located on the road connected the Town of Tabanan and Batukaru Temple. We show so many new creatures, things we only knew from TV/ Books before. The ticket was quite expensive, Rp50.000/person, but it equal to the joy we had there. Everybody seemed to be happy.

At the temple, I had to do some guiding job. With my limited knowledge on religious matters, I did try to do my best. Thanks to the lesson I got from my religion teacher in school some years ago. At the end, I excused my self to do a personal matter, praying. I had to do it alone because it was only me who were hindu among the 7 of us. My friends were quietly waiting for me while I doing my praying. It was so nice... We spent not less than an hour and half here.

Afterwards, we continued the trip to the Jatiluwih Rice Plantation, a site which is now one of the UNESCO's world site heritage. Here, we can see the grandious and huge rice field surrounded by volcanoes. The road was a little bumpy, but the view was spectacular. Thanks to the Government of Tabanan Regency who keeps this land well preserved. Though there were one or two villas erected on the hill, this site is still one of the best spots in Bali. Something that is now getting rare in Bali. Here, we had nasi campur (Balinese version of Gado-gado : mix of tofu, tempeh and some vegetable with balinese red rice) for lunch in one of the two restaurants we can find there. It was another fine hour that day.

Time to get back to where we stay, Seminyak! But, I had to make a little bit turn around way because I needed to buy some oleh-oleh for my colleagues from Jakarta in Denpasar. Though it was weekend, the city was somewhat crowded. It was difficult to get a parking place for the car. A problem that becomes more and more evident in the tiny island of Bali. Here, I bought some peanuts (kacang disco, balinese one?) that was asked by a colleague from my office. Also two Balinese paintings. My dutch friends seemed to enjoy this stop as well... Here, Paul who accompanied me to go around the market made some nice fotos of flower sellers at the Badung Market.

Our one-day trip was ended up in a coffee shop, called Blue Ocean, on Jl. Double Six, Legian Beach. when coffee and beer were our main menu :). We had a funny,lively chit-chat though Paul had to patiently translate every words for me when everybody talked in Dutch. The atmosphere was so nice. I was a little sad when I had to say good bye. But, it was a short separation as we soon meet up again at a bar on Jl. Dhyana Pura for a night-long drink, where I had four glass of beer .... I went home with a little headache.... but felt so good anyway. Thanks sahabatku, my friends...

Hari yang sepi

hari ini, hampir separuh kolega gue di kantor udah mulai cuti... kantor jadi agak sepi. Selamat berhari raya buat yang merayakan idul fitri. Gue ketiban rejeki dapat tambahan libur 3 hari.. mmmhhh feeling so good. Bali...I m coming home :)

slow days

I have been do nearly nothing since the past few days. But, much to my surprise, the tax collection was doing so well last month. I am now so close to fulfill the target...horeee! Thanks to my beloved taxpayers :)

A Very Brief of Me...

I was born and brought up in a traditional Balinese family. I am sort of a loner, enjoying tranquility, sometime melancholic, but not one of those sinetron/ soap opera characters. I love reading, from politic to biography, from art to history, etc etc. At the moment, I work in Jakarta but spend much time on the Island of Bali, my hometown (wish I could spend more time there). Manytime, I think to myself, why should I be here in this hectic Jakarta, when there's a such lovely to live. Going to museums and galleries, beach walking are few things I do in my leisure time.

I am a big fan of soccer, especially european football. AC Milan was my favourite team since I was a little boy when the Dutch Trios was still playing for this club. I also love playing tennis. For outdoor activities, I would say, travelling is the most enjoyble thing to do. So far, I have managed myself to see some parts of the globe such as Norway, Italy, Holland and Germany. Among those countries, Italy with its Florence and Venice, is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. For living, I put Berlin and my hometown Bali on the top of my list...