Hospitality of Putu & Family

Putu and his wife invited us to their home to share with us their hospitality as well as explain how their family practices their Hindu faith. They were very friendly and proud of their religious practice. They didn't seem to have any inhibitions about talking about Hinduism and answering our questions. This bamboo pole is outside thier home and is part of the celebration of Gulungan. As it turned out it is good karma to share with others during this festival. He took us to their local temple and explained the rituals.

Coral Reef Restoration

Are staying in Pemuteran, Bali, during the Galungan Festival. They have been involved in a very successful coral reef restoration program as well as project to protect sea turtles. We went snorkeling on this boat to the coral reef you see below the boat. The coral reef was so healthy and teeming with a vast variety of fish and plant life. We were fortunate because the water was crystal clear and we were able to see this incredible piece of God's creation.

 

Balinese Hindu Festival, Galungan

Today is the beginning of the Balinese Hindu Festival called Galungan. Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremonies. The spirits of deceased relatives who have died and been cremated return to visit their former homes, and the current inhabitants have a responsibility to be hospitable through prayers and offerings. The most obvious sign of the celebrations are the penjor - bamboo poles weighed down by offerings suspended at the end. Bali is filled with them now. Each family also kills a pig and eats it as part of the celebration. They all go to temple for the rituals of this celebration. Reminds me of the Day of the Dead Festival in Mexico.

 

Ancient Hindu Ramayana Epic

Went to a Dance Presentation in Ubud, Bali. The dance told the story of the Hindu Ramayana Epic. The costumes were incredibly gorgeous and the traditional music of percussion and keyboard accompaniment added to it all. The dance had subtle head movements, eye gestures, hand and arm movements that were part of the genre. It was all exotic and filled with drama. This culture likes bells our bell choir would fit right in.

Traditional Balinese Hindu Wedding

This is part of the Balinese Traditional Hindu Wedding that we were invited to. The groom is the brother of the worker at our Hotel that befriended us. The prayers at the wedding were traditional mantras with bells rung at appropriate times, incense burning ,holy water sprinkling and offerings of flowers and etc. to the Hindu gods. If some of you think we have too much traditional liturgy at our church then you should check out the Hindu Liturgy and stop complaining. I was particularly impressed by the family solidarity, village relationships and close community life that these people have. Their life is not about the individual but more about the community, their traditions hold their lives together and their religion is a part of it all. Secularity hasn't eroded their connection to God and one another. The ceremony took place in their family compound. Their cloths are family clothes passed down and only worn at weddings.

Hindu Mother Temple in Bali

We are in Bali for two weeks. Bali is part of Indonesia but is unique in that the major religion here is Hinduism. The rest of Indonesia is Moslem. We visited the Mother Temple of Bali. This Hindu Temple is used for worship as well as a major tourist attraction. The Balinese are very open about their religion and talk about it without any inhibitions. Talked to a Hindu Priest and He was very hospitable. Hinduism is hard to understand and their sacred story is hard to follow. In Bali it's mixed up with animism and folk practices. We were invited to a wedding today by a man who works with the place we are staying. Looking forward to see how ceremony, family systems and religion are all practiced at this occasion.

Over-Night Train ride to Bangkok

 

Took an over-night train ride from Southern Thailand to Bangkok in upper berth. It was an education to travel with Thai families and see how they travel around their beautiful country. Temperature started out around 90 degrees and cooled down to 80 by morning. People came around selling food in the morning that was street food to go. This cute little boy was curious about the Caucasians who were next to his family. Felt like we were camping and appreciated shower in Bangkok after sweating all night. Pictures taken on iPhone so quality was not so good.

Eco-Resort in Rain Forest

 

We have been off the grid totally, stayed in a small village, in this tree-house for two days, the river picture is behind me and 25 feet away from deck. This place is the Camp Sherman of Thailand. Made contact with Ellen's cousin Bodhi, who is a manager of the Eco-Resort that this tree house is part of. He has lived here for ten years and married a thai woman. They have a very cute two year old daughter named boon. They have been very helpful in orienting us to some of the harder to get at intricacies of Thai culture and Buddhism as practiced by the laity as well as offered us their warm hospitality. The Eco-Resort is part of a National Park that is all rain forest. Ellen was freaked out by some leeches that we had to pick off our lower legs as well as the snakes,Boas, and spiders. My imagination clicked in and I was thinking we were in a mix of Jurassic Park, Tarzan and a National Geographic Special.

R & R

We are off the beaten trail for three days of R&R. Our accommodations are on this beautiful beach outside a small fishing town on the Eastern Coast. If you are familiar with Sayulita, Mexico, it reminds me of that beach without any development. Fishing boats are in and out and the sea food here is their specialty.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

We are visiting Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO Site. The site covers 75 square Kilometers and dates back to 1238 AD and had its golden age in the 14th Century. This Buddah figure is unique to this area (walking, elegant with feminine characteristics). These sites help you understand the significance their temples, shrines, relics & practices then and now. Temperature has been above 90 and humid, for the first in our marriage Ellen told me she is warm enough.

Head of Buddha

This is a very famous head of Buddha in Ancient Temple ruins in Ayutthaya. The roots of this Mahabodhi Tree have grown around the head. It is very meaningful to Buddhists because it was while meditating under Mahabodhi Tree that Siddhartha Gautama was enlightened. Thailand is 95% Buddhist. I have been surprised at how many temples there are. At least as many per capita as churches in the US. Most Buddhists also have shrines in their homes where they practice rituals. Their religion is integrated into their lives.

 

Flowers in Thailand

 

The flowers in Bangkok are so beautiful. This lotus is at The Royal Palace. Bird of Paradise flowers grow like weeds along canals. There is a Flower Market we went to yesterday where people bring their flowers that took up a few city blocks. Leaving Bangkok today.