Balinese Hindus
Way of Life
The Balinese people represent two percent of the Indonesian population, and they differ from the rest of Indonesia in language, dress, songs, stories, food, and calendar. The most significant difference is their religious beliefs. Balinese families live in walled compounds where a group of brothers and their respective families live. Within the compound, separate buildings for cooking, storing rice, keeping pigs, and sleeping are grouped around a central courtyard. Community and family are core values among the Balinese. Each family is part of a banjar, a group of 5,200 families who share common beliefs, areas, and goals. A banjar head is supported by the male heads of each of the families, and together, they arrange marriages, care for needy people, and maintain their community. The Balinese people speak an Austronesian language that has an hierarchy of politeness in it, reflecting the four castes of Balinese society. Approximately 70% of the Balinese earn a living from agriculture; rice, corn, cassava, and beans are grown, and it is common in densely populated areas to work someone else’s land in return for a share of the crop. Industries in Bali include tourism as well as arts and crafts.
Profile
Pronunciation: bahl-uh-NEEZ
Population: 3,973,000
Location: Indonesia
Ethnicity: Malay (Bali)
Language: Bali
Religion: Hinduism
Professing Christian: 1.26% (0.16% Evangelical)
source: https://joshuaproject.net
Beliefs & Culture
Balinese Hinduism combines the Indian model of Hinduism with elements of indigenous beliefs. The theological foundation comes from Indian philosophy, while indigenous beliefs form the backbone of the rituals. Spirits and ancestors are treated with respect, housed in a shrine, and given offerings made of agricultural products. They believe that during its tenure in a body, the soul is in torment, and is thus always seeking to free itself from incarnation so that it can attain enlightenment or moksa. Therefore, when a person dies, if their soul has not achieved moksa, it will continue with the cycle of life through incarnations.
Cremation is performed after death to ensure that the deceased become deified ancestors, and it may take months or even years to accumulate the funds necessary to pay for the ceremony. Until the funds are accrued, a temporary storage or burial spot is found for the body. In the ceremony, the body is carried to the cremation field in a portable high, multitiered tower. A priest often sits halfway up the tower to soak bystanders with holy water. At the cremation ground, the body is transferred to a funeral sarcophagus, and then the funeral tower, sarcophagus, and body are set on fire. It is believed that after cremation, one’s soul goes to a heaven that is just like Bali.
The Work So Far
In 2016, international workers began serving the Balinese Hindu. Many relationships were built in bringing the light and hope of Christ to prisoners, small communities, young people, and women at risk. During an Easter service at the prison, they played soccer, taught English, painted eggs, ate together, and shared the Good News of Easter. Two men chose to follow Jesus! Two others asked for intentional time to study the Bible! A Muslim inmate painted a portrait of Jesus for Easter.
After approximately four years of engagement, we sensed that for sustainability and longevity, time was needed to prepare and build a larger team to work together. For these reasons on the ground presence is paused; however, Christ continues to call out to these dear people. We long for the day that God will open the way and call us back to reach out to the Balinese Hindu.
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There is a great hunger for the Gospel
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How to Pray for the Balinese Hindu
It is believed that stepping out of tradition upsets karma for already deceased ancestors and for those yet to come. Pray that God will reveal Himself to Balinese Hindus.
Pray that God will raise up a team of workers and that Balinese hearts will cry out to Jesus.
Pray for Balinese Hindus to find freedom in Jesus; in their current practices, they do things to keep the good gods happy and to appease the bad gods. Pray for freedom from fear
Partner with us
Help us bring access to Jesus to the Balinese Hindus and other least-reached people groups by donating to the Jaffray Project.