A Padmasana is a shrine (Balinese: palinggih) in the form of a tower, crowned with an empty throne to worship Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, a manifestation of Supreme God in Balinese Hindu belief. The term padmasana is derived from the Sanskrit, meaning lotus throne . [1]
A Padmasana shrine is usually located in the Utama Mandala, the holiest of holies of a Balinese temple compound, and is usually the focal point of worship in semba hyang rituals.
Padmasana is a Kawi (Old Javanese) word, originally derived from Sanskrit. Padma means "lotus flower" or "center", and asana means "being seated" or "guidance" or "advice". The lotus flower is commonly depicted as a seat for deities in Hindu-Buddhist art. According to one interpretation, it symbolises the (macrocosm) which is the stana (abode or resting place) of God. [2]
A Padmasana is first described in the lontar scripture Dwijendra Tattwa, written by Dang Hyang Nirartha, the last major reformer of the Shiva-Buddha religion [ clarification needed ], who arrived in Bali from Java after the fall of the Majapahit empire. [2] Dang Hyang Nirartha established and introduced the padmasana structure as a shrine to worship the supreme God (Parama Shiva) in Bali in the 16th century.
A Padmasana is a symbol of the universe (Balinese: Bhuana Agung), depicted as the towering throne (Balinese: stana) of the supreme God, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. [1] A Padmasana is said to symbolise universal balance. It consists of three main parts, namely tepas (base), batur (body), and sancak (top). [3]
The symbolism upon the Padmasana includes a sculpture of Bedawang Nala, a mythical turtle that was seen to support the universe, and sculptures of two sacred Nagas (snake deities): Anantaboga and Basuki. [2]
According to Balinese mythology, Bedawang Nala's movements could cause earthquakes. Likewise, if the Anantaboga snake wags its tail, it can shake the earth. It is believed that Bedawang Nala is the symbol of magma in the bowels of the earth, while Anantabhoga symbolises the ground. The Basuki symbolises the water in the ocean. According to myth, the two snakes bound Bedawang Nala to ensure the stability and the balance of the world. [3]
The top of a padmasana structure is crowned with an empty throne, often decorated with a gilded image of Acintya or a solar Swastika.
Balinese Hinduism is the form of Hinduism practised by the majority of the population of Bali. This is particularly associated with the Balinese people residing on the island, and represents a distinct form of Hindu worship incorporating local animism, ancestor worship or Pitru Paksha, and reverence for Buddhist saints or Bodhisattava.
Hinduism in Indonesia, as of the 2018 census, is practised by about 1.74% of the total population, and almost 87% of the population in Bali. Hinduism was the dominant religion in the country before the arrival of Islam and is one of the six official religions of Indonesia today. Hinduism came to Indonesia in the 1st-century through Indian traders, sailors, scholars and priests. A syncretic fusion of pre-existing Javanese folk religion, culture and Hindu ideas, that from the 6th-century also synthesized Buddhist ideas as well, evolved as the Indonesian version of Hinduism. These ideas continued to develop during the Srivijaya and Majapahit empires. About 1400 CE, these kingdoms were introduced to Islam from coast-based Muslim traders, and thereafter Hinduism, which was previously the dominant religion in the region, mostly vanished from many of the islands of Indonesia.
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Achintya, also known as Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa and Sang Hyang Tunggal, is the Supreme God of Indonesian Hinduism, especially on the island of Bali. Achintya is equivalent to the metaphysical concept of Brahman of Indian Hinduism, and is the Supreme God in traditional wayang theatre. All gods, goddesses and existence are believed to be the manifestation of the Achintya in Balinese Hinduism.
Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, or Padangtegal Great Temple of Death, is one of three Hindu temples making up a temple complex located in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary – commonly called the "Ubud Monkey Forest" – of Padangtegal, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.
Hyang is a representation of the supreme being, in ancient Java and Bali mythology. The spiritual entity can be either considered as divine or ancestral. The reverence for this spiritual entity can be found in the folk religions of Java and Bali, such as the Sunda Wiwitan, Kejawen, Kapitayan, and Gama Tirta. The realm where Hyang resides is called the Kahyangan, which is an Old Javanese term that literally means "the abode of Hyang", "part of Hyang", or "heaven".
A pura is a Balinese Hindu temple, and the place of worship for adherents of Balinese Hinduism in Indonesia. Puras are built in accordance to rules, style, guidance and rituals found in Balinese architecture. Most puras are found on the island of Bali, where Hinduism is the predominant religion; however many puras exist in other parts of Indonesia where significant numbers of Balinese people reside. Mother Temple of Besakih is the most important, largest and holiest temple in Bali. Many puras have been built in Bali, leading it to be titled "the Island of a Thousand Puras".
Canang sari is one of the daily offerings made by Balinese Hindus to thank the Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa in praise and prayer. Canang sari will be seen in the Balinese temples (pura), on small shrines in houses, and on the ground or as a part of a larger offering.
Balinese architecture is a vernacular architecture tradition of Balinese people that inhabits volcanic island of Bali, Indonesia. The Balinese architecture is a centuries-old architectural tradition influenced by Balinese culture developed from Hindu influences through ancient Javanese intermediary, as well as pre-Hindu elements of native Balinese architecture.
A Meru tower or pelinggih meru is the principal shrine of a Balinese temple. It is a wooden, pagoda-like structure with a masonry base, a wooden chamber and multi-tiered thatched roofs. The height of Meru towers represent the Hindu Mount Meru. Meru towers are usually dedicated to either the highest gods of the Hindu pantheon, the local pantheon, or a deified person.
In a Balinese temple architecture, a Bhoma is a carved or formed grotesque which decorates certain parts in the Balinese temple complex. The statue is similar to the Javanese Kala, and was intended to protect the temple complex from malevolent spirits.
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Pura Taman Saraswati, officially Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati, also known as the Ubud Water Palace, is a Balinese Hindu temple in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. The pura is dedicated to the goddess Sarasvati. Pura Taman Saraswati is notable for its lotus pond.
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Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is a Balinese Hindu temple or pura located in the slope of Mount Lempuyang in Karangasem, Bali. Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang is considered as part of a complex of pura surrounding Mount Lempuyang, one of the highly regarded temples of Bali. The temples of Mount Lempuyang, represented by the highest pura at the peak of Mount Lempuyang, Pura Lempuyang Luhur, is one of the Sad Kahyangan Jagad, or the "six sanctuaries of the world", the six holiest places of worship on Bali.
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