07/03/2016
Hindu religious council members in Bali have issued directives in connection with the celebration of the Bali-Hindu New Year and the official 24-hour period of Silence on Nyepi on March 9, 2016.
As reported by NusaBali, the directive was issued in a joint communiqué from the Provincial Ministry of Religion office in Bali on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
The directives were issued in order to safeguard inter-faith toleration because the date when the Hindu celebration of Nyepi coincides with Muslim prayers for a total eclipse.
Instructions were also issued forbidding hotels advertising “Nyepi Accommodation Packages” to create programs designed for entertainment purposes.
The head of the Religious Tolerance Council for the Province of Bali (FKUB), Ida I Dewa Gede Ngurah Swastha, said that with the arrival of Nyepi each year there is an underlying fear of intolerants acts between various religious factions. The convocation of religious leaders from all faiths sitting down together permits peaceful solutions to be worked out to ensure the peace, said Swastha.
Swastha continued: “The celebration of Nyepi does not reduce the freedom of those embracing other religions to undertake worship, providing they are done in such a way to safeguard the sacredness of Nyepi. The goals remain the same to preserve religious toleration and fellowship.”
The head of the Ministry of Religion office for Bali, AA Gede Muliawan, added that even though Bali will have no activities outside the home on the official day of silence – “Nyepi’ – his office continues to ask all citizens to protect the peace in Bali, remembering the ongoing threat of terrorist acts.
In order to create a greater understanding and appreciation of the true meaning of Nyepi, Muliawan said religious teachers working in grade schools to university level are being invited to deliver talks to the public on the meaning and history of Nyepi and the day of silence.
Among the directives issued in connection with Nyepi and the total eclipse on March 9th is a prohibition on cable and national broadcasts in Bali during the 24-hour period of silence. The people have also been ordered not to ignite fireworks, use public broadcast systems or noisemaker, or commit acts that will otherwise disturb the silence.
Hotels offering Nyepi packages are asked to refrain from promoting entertainment activities during the day of silence. This means hotels should not play music, present dances or serve drinks in party atmospheres – all of which would detract from the solemnity and silence of Nyepi day.
Those determined to be acting in violation of the directives issued in connection with Nyepi observances will be subject to sanctions and punishments. General managers of a hotel or villa is found to be violating the law they could face deportation. Balinese who disregard the directives could be punished and made an example for the community. Muliawan added, “When there is noise, this represents a stain on the sanctity of Nyepi and in turn a stain on the Hindu faith.”
Accommodations have been made for Moslems living in Bali wishing to pray in connection with the total eclipse of sun. In coordination with the Islamic Council (MUI), Moslems are permitted to attend morning prayers that end at 7:15 am providing this is done at the nearest mosque within walking distance of their home or hotel. These prayers will be consolidated with traditional pre-dawn prayers and the use of loudspeakers on the exteriors of mosques will not be allowed.
Pioldolan or anniversary of community temples that fall on Nyepi will be allowed to mark the occasion until 6:00 am on March 9, 2016 and can only be celebrated without the use of gongs and noise-making regalia, the burning of incense or the invitation of fellow worshippers from distant locales.
Ideally, odalans on Nyepi could be postponed for six months for the timewhen the anniversary next falls on the Balinese calendar.
