[De Tom]

Thought i'd continue the discussion from the last posts about how accommodating Hinduism is from the he's here!! thread.

Hinduism is accommodating in many ways but this does not mean that Balinese or Hindu's doesn't sometimes judge ones, even if mostly silent, degree of seriousness or devotion. In some cases there are no expectations put on oneself but this may not always be the case.

I have personally received more challenging questions and discussions from different people that does in itself not imply anything and are harmless but ask the question 'how devoted are you really?' or in other words 'are you genuine?'.

Many have asked 'So do you often go and pray to the temples?', 'Do you know the Trisandhya Mantra by heart?', 'Do you know how to pray?', 'Do you know how to make offerings? (either in the physical sense of making them by hand or using the offerings with mantras and prayers).

They are all questions that does not really prove any degree or seriousness of devotion but merely ask if one is able to do the basic practical procedures done by Balinese Hindu's. These basics are good to know but can sometimes, if getting to 'mechanical', take you away from the point of seeing god in everyone and everything, surrendering your ego and strive for reaching a higher conciousness through practise and devotion which does not necessarily mean going to public temples or even make offerings.

Generally people ask if i understand what i'm doing and if i comprehend the worlds of sekala and niskala, especially the latter. I do not try to hide my devotion particularly so people often see me making offerings etc in public. This fuels the 'fire' for these discussions which are mostly interesting and enriching though sometimes someone can ask it in a way that implies sarcasm and disbelief in my devotion or understanding. I find these, though few, people to lack understanding or devotion themselves and it reflects in the way they approach, communicate or the tone of voice. The voice is a wonderful instrument playing on the strings of feelings. One can sometimes learn to know the true person in someone by just listening to his or her voice.

Hinduism, in all it's variations, is as flexible as one like it to be, with some exceptions of course, but i keep in mind that enlightenment of the inner higher conciousness or god itself will not appear without effort or more serious devotion. I do not feel the need to limit oneself to just the Balinese versions of Hinduism but embrace certain aspects, which are mainly the same thing or similar, from Indian Hinduism, Vedic and Yoga teachings. If you are on the path, whichever path it is you follow, it's important to have a guru to consult with. Someone who can take you under his wings, help and guide you in times of disillusion and rough patches along the path to a deeper understanding and higher inner conciousness.

An interesting thing with Hinduism i'm told (different from Christianity and other monotheistic religions) is that it does not have:

* a single founder
* a specific theological system
* a single concept of deity
* a single holy text
* a single system of morality
* a central religious authority
* the concept of a prophet

[Ubudian]

I read your post a couple of times because I found it very thought provoking and honestly introspective.

No Balinese has ever asked me if I know “how to pray” make offering or recite any specific mantra. I’ve never felt like anyone here was ever questioning my sincerity or level of devotion. Of course, it could well be that such things have gone on and I was completely oblivious to it all…I don’t know. I have engaged in the practice of “ignorance is bliss” often enough, so this could be one of those episodes.

I’m saddened to read that this has happened to you because I personally regard that sort of thing as immensely rude and impolite. I can’t imagine that Wayan would take any such sort of thing as that very well, and I know that my wife Eri would go off like a bamboo bomb on Nyepi eve with anyone who would dare engage her in that manner.

If I was asked by a Balinese I never met, “do you know how to pray” I might be inclined to turn the question right around and reply, “do you?” Then again, the question could be from simple curiosity, as many villages are not used to seeing foreigners in full adat praying in their temples. In that case my reply would be rude if in fact the question was only asked from pure curiosity as opposed to a perceived challenge to my sincerity or devotion. So, in all probability in the case of being asked such a question I’d put the “ma’af, saya bodoh” look on my face and just walk away.

You write,

“…I keep in mind that enlightenment of the inner higher conciousness or god itself will not appear without effort or more serious devotion.”

If by “effort” you mean a concentrated study and learning of the rudiments of Agama, and if by “devotion” you mean spending more time at temple, then we differ in our personal approach to our adaptations to Hindu Balinese life. Of course, there is nothing wrong at all about that, rather I only find it a matter of interest. Somewhat as an aside, I also find it very interesting that here in Bali, it’s perfectly normal to openly discuss these sort of things. Generally speaking, men and women from my own cultural background rarely discuss these issues, perhaps from the fear of being judged? Here I find a unique openness to such discussions and I personally enjoy the dickens out of such discussions as I know you do as well.

My guru, who you know, thinks that the simple engagement of such a discussion is itself a form of prayer, as it is a conscious effort to explore the spiritual aspects of our humanity. He would say that this in itself is far more important in acquiring “enlightenment” than knowing the proper color order of the flowers to be used in prayer at temple.

He would also say that having any concern or worry about how others may in fact judge your sincerity or devotion to your religion is a total waste of time as it is only allowing negative energy to enter your consciousness. Dismissing such concerns or worry is enlightenment. Engaging such concerns or worry is a road block toward enlightenment.

Anyway, these are just a couple of thoughts I had after reading your excellent and thought provoking post Tom.