[Episode2] BACKSTAGE BALI, Turn To Ash ! Celebrate Life & Death

NGABEN comes from the word ngabu, which means, " Turn to Ash ". This Traditional Balinese Cremation Ceremony is a sacred ritual performed to send the deceased to another life beyond the one we know. It is one of the most important rituals to complete the circle of life. The burning body will release and free the soul to be reincarnated from all restrictions of their loved ones worldly life.

original photos with my iPhone 5S - Hipstamatic app

Balinese Beliefs About Reincarnation (Source: Bali A Traveler’s Companion and Bali Tourism Information Book )according Balinese Hinduism, is a continuous cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth until one’s soul is purified and thus unified with the God. Rebirth or incarnation, called Punarbhawa/Samsara, is one of the five chief principles of Hinduism, aiming to get Moksa the perfection and holiness of the soul. Balinese believe Moksa can be reached through four corridors, Brahmacari, Grehasta, Wanaprehasta, and Bhiksuka. Those steps have their own purposes. Brahmacari is the period for gaining knowledge as much as one can, then continued by Grehasta; period for building a good marriage without leaving knowledge, Wanaprehasta is the period for starting to leave the secular world, and finally Bhiksuka is time when one has succeed in leaving secular world and using his knowledge to help others. Before someone reaches the fourth step, s/he won’t be able to reach the perfection and holiness, and instead would go through the first step again.

Do You believe in Reincarnation? I do !

What would I prefer, I thought many times observing various rituals like The Body Washing Purification Ritual or other happenings, visiting families guarding the bodies over night for a few days sometimes. (I will write more about those in my follow up episode.)

"Please burn me in that fire and scatter my ashes all over the ocean into freedom."

I am glad my father decided to have a cremation as well against all religious odds. I wished I could have celebrated in Bali with him instead of witnessing 5 minutes in a cold soulless crematorium in Vienna.

Looking at those pictures and you will understand why.

I have learnt in Bali that It is shameful to cry for the dead!

Balinese do not cry because the tears would hold your soul back from leaving. Who wouldn't want to go to paradise, the heaven of absolute happiness as quickly as possible? I never thought much about my death before I came to this fascinating island because dying is associated with such heaviness of sadness. I hate funerals since my father’s mother, my awesome, kind grandmother, I loved dearly left us when I was around 10 and the thought of her being in a coffin all-alone was horrifying. I had nightmares for weeks seeing worms crawling on her body.

Balinese Hindus celebrate different stages in life, especially death, helping to move on from the previous life. Such ceremonies can be extremly expansive depending on the wealth, caste and prestige. Some families cannot really afford high costs, so they have to wait to join with others to hold mass cremations.

Please read here for more details : There is mystical quality to the way death is perceived in Bali.

I was lucky enough to witness one big event last year with approx. 5000 visitors, which is held every 5 years as I was told. The week before the members of the banjar, village community brings gifts to the families.

BUTENET reported: Every 5 years, it's time for Cremations. People are buried temporarily until this time, but they must be cremated "as otherwise the path to reincarnation is cut off". It's possible to have a separate cremation without burial, without waiting, if your family is willing to pay the substantial cost.

My maid invited my airbnb guests and me to her village where a vibrant procession, a joyful parade like atmosphere held with many colorful "lembus" used as buffalo shaped containers. I was speechless of such breathtaking beauty, devotion and respect for human beings. The moment all fires have burned out, the ashes of bones are separated and taken to the ocean.

I cannot count how many of ceremonies I already attended in the past 16 years but this one was very unique and special. It lasted the whole day filled with magic, the sweet smell of incense and flowers.

I found this article and thought you might like to read it. I am a big fan of David Bowie and respect him even more for his admiration of this rich culture; I have learnt to live with.

The Balinese Cremation Ceremony Admired by David Bowie By Jessie Guy-Ryan

When David Bowie’s will was made public, it revealed plenty of the unique details you expect from the legendary figure’s final requests.Among the most interesting was the singer’s instructions for his cremation. As the New York Times reports, “Mr. Bowie said in the will that he wanted his body shipped to Bali and cremated there ‘in accordance with the rituals of Bali.’ But he added that if cremation in Bali were not possible, he wanted his ashes scattered there nevertheless. Bowie’s appreciation of Bali, and Indonesia as a whole, can be traced back to a trip he took with friend and collaborator Iggy Pop, which was recounted in the 1984 song “Tumble and Twirl.” The lyrics don’t indicate that Bowie had the opportunity to observe a Ngaben—the traditional Balinese cremation ceremony he was likely referring to in his will—but it’s no surprise that he admired this beautiful and elaborate ritual.