Prosesi Upacara Ngaben di Bali | Pelebon Penglingsir Puri Kawan Carangsari @AyunkanLangkahmu

Summary

The Ngaben ceremony in Bali is a deeply spiritual and elaborate Hindu ritual of cremation, designed to return the human soul to its divine source. It involves a series of sacred rites that purify the body and spirit, including cleansing rituals, symbolic separations, and the ultimate cremation. Through the process, the deceased's elements are returned to nature, and the soul embarks on its journey toward liberation. This ceremonial practice reflects the cultural and philosophical values of the Balinese Hindu community, emphasizing respect for ancestors and the cycle of life and death.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Hindu belief in Bali views humans as being composed of five physical elements (Panca Maha Bhuta): Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Space, and the soul (Atma) is what moves the body.
• 😀 *Ngaben* is a Hindu cremation ritual performed to return the body’s physical elements to nature and help the soul reach its final destination.
• 😀 *Ngaben* is also called *Pelebon*, which involves the burning or burial of the body to return it to the earth (Pratiwi), signifying the transformation of the body into ashes.
• 😀 The purpose of *Ngaben* is to purify the soul and accelerate its journey to the afterlife, in alignment with the elements of nature.
• 😀 The philosophical basis for *Ngaben* is rooted in the concept of *Panca Sradha*, the five fundamental principles of Hinduism: Brahman, Atman, Karmapala, Samsara, and Moksha.
• 😀 *Ngaben* is a demonstration of devotion to ancestors and respect for parents, aiming to honor them and facilitate their soul’s transition.
• 😀 The ceremony consists of several stages: *Ngulapin* (calling the soul), *Mie Ramen* (cleansing the body), *Narpanah* (placing items with the deceased), *Ngajum Kacang* (sacred writing on paper), and others.
• 😀 The *Papegatan* ceremony symbolizes severing worldly ties to ensure the spirit’s path to the divine is unobstructed by earthly connections.
• 😀 The *Petulangan* is the sacred container used for the cremation, and after the cremation, the remains are purified and symbolically returned to nature through various rituals like *Nganyut* (floating ashes in the ocean).
• 😀 The final stage of the ritual is *Ngerosin*, where the family releases the spirit, symbolizing the severance of bonds and allowing the soul to find peace after the funeral rituals are complete.

Q & A

What is the Ngaben ceremony in Bali, and why is it performed?

The Ngaben ceremony is a Hindu cremation ritual in Bali, performed to return the elements of the deceased's body to their natural state and to aid the soul's journey towards liberation. The ceremony symbolizes the return of the physical body’s elements (Panca Maha Bhuta) to the earth and helps the soul transcend the cycle of reincarnation.

What does the term 'Panca Maha Bhuta' refer to in the context of the human body?

Panca Maha Bhuta refers to the five elements that make up the physical human body in Balinese Hindu belief: Earth (Pertiwi), Water (Apah), Fire (Teja), Air (Bayu), and Space (Akasa). These elements combine to form the body and are returned to nature during the Ngaben ceremony.

What is the significance of the Atma (soul) in Balinese Hinduism, particularly in the Ngaben ceremony?

In Balinese Hinduism, the Atma is the soul that survives after death. The Ngaben ceremony focuses on helping the soul transition to the afterlife, aiming for liberation (moksha). While the physical body decays, the Atma continues its journey, and the ceremony is designed to assist this process.

What are the five core principles of Hinduism represented in the Ngaben ceremony?

The five core principles are: Brahman (the supreme reality), Atman (the soul), Karma (the law of cause and effect), Samsara (the cycle of birth and rebirth), and Moksha (liberation from the cycle). These principles guide the spiritual purpose of the Ngaben ceremony.

Can you explain the different phases in the Ngaben ceremony?

The Ngaben ceremony includes several key phases: Ngulapin (invoking the soul), Mie Ramen (body purification), Narpanah (placing the body in a coffin with offerings), Ngajum Kacang (pressing sacred paper), Ngaskara (cleansing ritual), Mama Ras (performed by grandchildren), Papegatan (severing worldly ties), Pak Kiriman Ngutang (transporting the body), and Ngerosin (final release). These rituals ensure the soul’s safe journey to the divine.

What is the role of the 'Petulangan' in the Ngaben ceremony?

The 'Petulangan' is a sacred, cow-shaped effigy used to place the body for cremation during the Ngaben ceremony. It functions as a vessel to guide the soul of the deceased to the afterlife through the cremation process.

How is the Ngaben ceremony connected to the concept of Moksha in Hinduism?

Ngaben helps the soul transcend the cycle of reincarnation (Samsara) and reach liberation (Moksha). By returning the elements of the body to their natural state and guiding the soul through spiritual rites, the ceremony facilitates the soul’s release and its reunion with the divine.

What does the 'Nganyut' ritual symbolize in the Ngaben ceremony?

The 'Nganyut' ritual involves the scattering of the deceased’s ashes into the sea or a river. It symbolizes the return of the elements (such as water) to nature and marks the final release of the soul, allowing it to merge with the cosmos.

What is the meaning behind the 'Papegatan' ritual in the Ngaben ceremony?

The 'Papegatan' ritual represents the symbolic severance of worldly ties. Family members and relatives cut a rope or break a barrier to signify the deceased’s release from material attachments, ensuring that the soul’s journey to the divine is unhindered.

Why is the 'Ngerosin' ritual performed, and when can it be carried out?

The 'Ngerosin' ritual marks the final emotional release from the deceased by the family. It is performed when the family is ready to let go of their attachment to the deceased, symbolizing the separation of the soul from the family. This can happen at any time after the cremation process, depending on the family's readiness.