The Quintessence of Religion

Oct 6, 2009 | Bali Times

Atmano Mokshartham Jagat-Hitaya cha. Those in Bali who are still committed to the spiritual values and cultural heritage of their ancestors consider this the quintessence of their belief. Iti Dharma: this is righteousness; this is religion. But what does the maxim...

The Dynamics of Balinese Society

Oct 6, 2009 | Bali Times

When we say “it depends,” we do not normally explain the “what” of it. We do not find it necessary to do so, and people are too busy to bother. So we get away with a blank cheque; we can fill it in ourselves. It depends on whatever; it can even be on our mood. In...

The Material and the Immaterial (Part 1)

Sep 8, 2009 | Bali Times

I remember reading Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) when I was in junior high school: “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.” I must admit, I had, until then, neither seen much of East, nor of West. So I had no clear idea of what he was actually...

The Ultimate Freedom

Sep 5, 2009 | Bali Times

Moksha – The Ultimate Freedom, Salvation or Liberation – is the fourth and the last purushartha, the four pillars holding our life structure. The first three has been discussed before, Dharma or Righteousness, Artha or Wealth and Kama or Passion. Generally, moksha is...

The True Value of Wealth

Aug 21, 2009 | Bali Times

To the people of this archipelago, of which Bali has always been an inseparable part, artha, “wealth” or “money” is not the end but the means to attain to total prosperity. And total prosperity is not just economic prosperity, but also social security. Above all,...

Finding the Meaning of Life

Aug 9, 2009 | Bali Times

Along with dharma (right action), artha (social security), kama (basic comfort) and moksha or freedom – are commonly considered the four purushartha, the four most important pillars of human life’s  structure. The Sanskrit word Purushartha is, actually, made of...