Bali's Beautiful View and Life
Photo of beautiful rice terraces and Bali's villagers-life
A Life of Ritual and Devotion
The majority of Balinese practice a form of the Hindu religion which they call Agama Hindu Dharma ("Religion of the Hindu doctrine"). Also called Agama Tirtha ("Religion of the Holy Waters"), it represents a unique amalgamation of foreign Hindu and Buddhist elements that were grafted onto a base of preexisting, indigenous religious customs. Since independence in 1945, the Balinese have become more self-conscious of their religion and have strengthened their religious organization. Ibis has resulted in the establishment of the Satya Hindu Dharma in 1956, and the Parisada Hindu Dharma Bali in 1959. The state philosophy, Pancasila, is also having an impact on Balinese Hinduism as well.
