Our Stay

We spent 8 nights in Ubud, Bali at a delightful home stay.  Our room was in a recently developed block of rooms at the back of a family compound.  Approximately 10 extended family members were living in various rooms towards the front.  Their home was located on a quiet street that was near both tourist services and local markets.  There were a wide variety of good restaurants, including many vegan options which is also supported by the Hindu culture.

 All of the images below are from the home compound where we stayed.  A large amount of their yard was dedicated to alters.

Life as Prayer

The Balinese life is filled with prayer and offerings to their gods.  Each morning the women prepare numerous baskets made of woven thatch filled with flowers, some rice, sweets and incense.  All the baskets are offerings to the gods.  

Some are as small as an open hand and are intended to satiate malevolent spirits. They are placed on car and motorcycle dashboards with the hope the spirits will let the driver pass in peace.  They are also placed at the entrances of homes and shops.  If the spirits are appeased, the will they will not cause any harm.  These are swept away by the wind or gather with other refuse the following morning.  Larger baskets are placed on altars in the home, yard or local temples.  These will contain food and produce that are later consumed by the family.  These are intended to attract the attention and appreciation of specific gods or goddesses.  This is both auspicious and sanctifies the food.  The god’s presence will impart incarnate divinity within the food making it more nutritious and enlivening to eat.

 

 

The greater the care and presence of prayer in one’s actions, the more likely to attract the grace of the gods.  This ethic is expressed in the creation of offerings, altars, temples and life in general.  An exceptional amount of artistry in put into buildings, homes, courtyards, fountains, tables, chairs and floors.  Meals are presented like small works of art, with care in every detail down to the napkin being elegantly folded.

Community

Ubud is comprised of 3 villages and 8 neighborhood associations called banjars. These are founded on the ancient principalities in the area that grew together over the years to form modern Ubud.  Each banjar organizes and sets guidelines for a wide range of neighborhood civic concerns: what the offering baskets should contain; the religious calendar; dispute resolution and the general welfare of its community.  While it is important to propitiate the gods for one’s own benefit and that of your family, it is also important for the extended community.  If you don’t contribute your fair share then you could bring misfortune to both yourself and your community.  Families that are irresponsible can run afoul of their neighborhood association.  As a result, Balinese communities are strong and intact with their members attuned to a common vision.  Much of their disposable time and income is spent on making their home, neighborhood and community beautiful and inviting.  You’ll rarely encounter them travelling - they are too obligated with their faith, home and community.

 All of the images below are from homes in our neighborhood.

 

 

Resources

Ubud Now and Then
http://ubudnowandthen.com/