March 07, 2008
ShhhhhhhhhhhhHolidays
Today is New Years for Hindus in Bali, a day they observe with total silence, fasting and meditation. The quiet is enforced by a traditional militia called the Pecalang who are the only ones allowed out and about:
Westerners open the New Year in revelry, however, in contrast, the Balinese open their New Year in silence. This is called Nyepi Day, the Balinese day of Silence, which falls on the day following the dark moon of the spring equinox, and opens a new year of the Saka Hindu era which began in 78 A.D. [Link]Observed from 6 a.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Nyepi is a day reserved for self-reflection and as such, anything that might interfere with that purpose is restricted. The main restrictions are: no lighting fires (and lights must be kept low); no working; no entertainment or pleasure; no traveling; and for some, no talking or eating at all. The effect of these prohibitions is that Bali’s usually bustling streets and roads are empty, there is little or no noise from TVs and radios, and few signs of activity are seen even inside homes. [Link]
The silence is total, even amongst non-Hindus who observe it out of “respect.” Tourists are warned to make sure they walk their dogs before the quiet peroid starts so that they don’t cause offense:
Even tourists are not exempt; although free to do as they wish inside their hotels, no one is allowed onto the beaches or streets, and the only airport in Bali remains closed for the entire day. The only exceptions granted are for emergency vehicles carrying those with life-threatening conditions and women about to give birth. [Link]
Honestly, a new year that starts with total silence sounds kind of nice for a change …
ennis on March 7, 2008 07:22 PM in Holidays, Religion · T·r·a·c·k·b·a·c·k address · Direct link · Email post
Thanks, Ennis. I had no idea!
that is amazing. I love that idea!
I'm currently living in Indonesia, and decided to observe Nyepi this year along with some Javanese Hindu friends of mine. The ceremony actually started a few weekends ago, starting with ritual immersions in the sea-which is supposed to be symbolic of being spiritually cleansed.
The day before yesterday (March 06) was marked by mass temple visits. In Jogjakarta in Java, the local Hindus come to Prambanan temple just outside the city and offer prayers to Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Its the one time of the year this incredibly beautiful temple is used. Just like in India, Hindus here place a lot of importance on rituals and aesthetics, and the ceremony was really beautiful. In the evening, the local temples have the Ogoh-Ogoh dance when dancers use these huge scary looking masks which are supposed to symbolic of evil spirits and its pretty awesome to see at night.
Yesterday, the day of silence, however, was a WAAAY harder than I thought. But it does force you to stop and reflect on your life (cause there's nothing else to do)
Ennis-
Thanks for the post. It is nice to reflect on my heritage (though I'm not religious in any sense), and to appreciate how truly amazing Hinduism is.
what a great way to bring in the new year...where do i sign up??
is this tradition also celebrated similarly in india or is it balinese specific?
^^^^
It's an Indonesian Hindu thing only...there's nothing comparable in India that I know of...but its not just for Balinese Hindus, Javanese Hindus also celebrate it. Although admittedly, Balinese make up the vast majority of Hindus in this country.
2 · jainrockstar said
I think it's a cool idea, too, but I'm a bit ambivalent when it comes to the Pecalang. I'm sure they do help make sure the holiday doesn't lose popularity. Still, enforcing it that way seems like it wouldn't always be the best thing.
HI Ennis,
Thanks for letting us know about this wonderful festival. I think this festival should be extended to the rest of the world "The day the earth stood still?" growing up in the city I have almost never experienced a silent, non-polluting world. just imagine the environmental benefits.
Wow, this sounds scarily draconian! Don't see why one person's meditation should require another person's gagging.
Because there is gigantic struggle between the forces of good and evil that happens at that point, and silence is required. It's not just about meditation, any noise damages the communal ritual.
There is a lot of noise and celebrations in the days before to draw evil spirits out. However, during Nyepi:
So I'm curious about all those people who are so thrilled with this idea. How do you feel about Islamic religious police?
Sure, it might be a long way from Pecalang to Mutaween or the like, but it's just one slippery slope, isn't it?
Enforcing this custom, no matter how lovely it is (I don't think it is, but that's another issue) essentially is depriving people of a choice.
>>On this day ...Hindus here will not cook, work, travel or indulge in sex in a collective attempt to purify
Sounds more like Buddhism to me. It's interesting to observe how different varieties of Hinduism in the diaspora "freeze" at the state they were when they reached the shores. The above mentioned ritual is a window into 1000 AD version of Hinduism in India.
Five hundred years from now, an Indian Hindu visiting America will exclaim: You guys do WHAT during Diwali?!!
M. Nam
11 · Curious said
We are thrilled about 'our' religious police gagging the other guy, and would obviously hate the other guy's religious police who would want to gag us. What kind of naive question is that? You need to work more to get your head wrapped around this religious thinking thing.
12 · MoorNam said
I sincerely hope that the flow of folks between India and America continues for a long time and prevents the scenario you outline above from ever coming true.
Ahh..We dress up in Saffron colored costumes,Drink Kingfisher,dance to Punjabi remix and we do this Indian Restaurant Hop in this shuttle called
Sarin Express