Balinese and Balian

Balinese and Balian: How Balinese Needs Balian’s Help in Their Lives? 

Although the development of advanced technology has been increasing significantly, especially in the health aspect, most of Balinese still tend to go to a traditional healer or Balian if they come to have problem and health issues. Balinese believes that a Balian can help them to find the solution of the problem that they face in their lives. Here is a story how Balinese’s life need Balian’s help.

In a village in Klungkung regency, Bali province, there was a family of three people. The son, named Made, was studying in a university in Yogyakarta. However, before completing his study, he got married with the local girl there, whose religion was different. The marriage wasn't approved by Made’s parents. But he still continued following his ego and chasing his love and living with his wife which broke the relation between parents and children. After the marriage, Made didn't continue his study. He was not financed by his parents anymore, so it forced him to live by himself to pay his bills and his small family. He lived by selling rice. Because he was a hard worker, he easily met success in developing his business, selling rice. He then had quite prosperous life and had 3 boys.

One day, Made got sick and passed away. His wife then followed him two years later. Fortunately, their children, had finished their study and were already working. Since his death, Made always visited his mother in Bali in her dreams. His Mother now 70 years old. She often saw her son, Made, to come home. Sometimes sitting on the steps of the house and in the kitchen. She also heard his voice clearly. Made often came to her and cried. 

 “What’s happened to you Made?” she asked. “ I'm sorry Ma! Please pull me! Pull me from this lower to the higher place, from this darkness to the lightness! I’m suffering here, Ma! Please save me!” He cried. “But now your religion is already different, Made.” She sadly said. “Ma, I'm in a wrong way. I'm in a dark corridor. I have not met anyone. I heard my wife is dead. But I did not see her. I am lonely here, Ma. Please pull me!” He cried and disappeared.

Although her heart was melted, the old lady didn’t dare to conduct Ngaben (cremation ceremony) for his son, Made because he already embrace other religion and was already proceeded with different ceremonies of his religion. Two months later, the old lady had 2 guests coming to her house. Two young men claimed to come from Yogyakarta. They were Made’s sons and biologically were her grandchildren. After each introduced his name, one of the boys said: "Before our mother died three years ago, she told us that before our father died five years ago, he advised her to proceed our father’s dead body in Balinese ceremonies. But our mother never delivered the message to anyone until before she died three years ago.” He sadly explained.  For two years, Made’s message was buried by his wife and was buried for three years by his children. Fortunately they finally convey the message to their grandmother in Klungkung. 

After hearing Made's request delayed for five years, his family decided to ask for advice and solutions about this matter to a Balian. They told all the stories to the Balian and finally they were advised to do Ngaben in order to purify Made's soul. All family then went to Yogyakarta directly to unload the Made’s grave and took his bones to be cremated. But by officers cemetery, demolition request was rejected. It was because Made was buried in non-Hindu religious ceremonies. The family then returned to Bali. However, Ngaben (cremation) ceremony for Made remained held. The Balian advised to make  pengadeg-adeg (a kind of symbol of Made) made of sandalwood. The purpose of Made’s family was to save Made's soul from the darkness with hope that after the cremation, Made could be happy and achieved the lightness in the universe up there.

In this story, it is described how Balinese and Balian are related to each other. If Balinese have a problem, a Balian will kindly help them. They will give hope to Balinese to be recovered or free from their problem.