Some Balinese Terms and Study Questions

• Questions and Terms From The Balinese and the Three Worlds of Bali by Lansing

   

  • Discuss the relationship of the Bhuana Alit ("inner compass") and the Tika  (cycles of time) with the various rites of passages in the life cycle of an individual Balinese.  What are the stages of the Balinese life cycle?  According to Lansing, when does the life cycle begin?  What does the Barong and Rangda ritual drama represent for the individual?

  • Discuss the relationship of the Bhuana Alit ("inner compass") and the Tika  (cycles of time) with the Bhuana Agung (outer world) with its three worlds (upper, middle and lower) and the larger Balinese community.  What does the Barong and Rangda ritual drama represent for the community?  How does the relationship of the inner and outer worlds of the Balinese differ from the Euro-American world view?   How is Balinese "time" understood and recorded?

  • What is the role of the arts in Balinese life, and its relationship with the inner and outer worlds?  Consider such art forms as Great Blossom poetry recitations, temple festivals and dances (with their flower and food offerings, animal sacrifices, gamelan orchestras, and dancers in elaborately decorated masks and costumes), and the wayang (shadow puppet performances).  What is Alango, its significance, and its relationship to maya?

  • Describe the events leading up to and the actual ceremony of Eka Dasa Rudra?  What are the principles behind the efficacy of this world renewal ceremony?  What is the significance of Eka Dasa Rudra for the Balinese and all of humanity?  What is the relationship of Eka Dasa Rudra with the "water temple" complex and the rice agricultural system of the Balinese?

   

  • Balinese Terms:

    - Bhuana Alit - inner compass
    - Tika - cycles of time
    - Bhuana Agung - outer world
    - Barong - Patron deity of Good, who also accompanies each person as one of four "brothers"
    - Rangda - Queen of Witches, deity of Evil
    - wayang - shadow puppet performances
    - Alango - a special kind of beauty
    - Eka Dasa Rudra - a world renewal ceremony

     

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