Hindu religion or Hindu Dharma is held by almost 95% of the population. Its teaching is to reach peace and harmony of life guided by Wedas as Holy Scriptures. Hindu Dharma is a special blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and ancestor worship that has been flourishing over centuries. The believe in One Supreme God called Ida Sanghyang Widhi Wasa, with His three manifestation known as Tri Sakti, that are Brahma, the Creator, Wisnu the Preserver, and Siva the Transformer.

Religion is inseparable from the everyday life, from the simply daily ritual to the lavishly semi annually temple festivals. No opportunity is lost to worship God in an unending series of ceremonies that stretches from birth up to after death of the people.

There are three things guiding the spiritual life of the Hindu Balinese people which are Tatwa (philosophy), Susila (etiquette/moral codes), and Upacara (rituals).

Tatwa tells about the Panca Crada, the five principle beliefs which are beliefs in the existence of:

Susila, moral codes, put emphasis on three things e.g.: positive thinking, positive talking and positive action known locally as “Tri Kaya Parisuda”. Related to those moral codes also can be mentioned “Tat Twam Asi”, freely translated into “I am you” or “You are me” which controls and prevents somebody from committing (intentional) wrong doings.

Upacara, are those religious ceremonies classified into five classifications e.g.:

As the out-come of the Tatwa among others you can see a lot of temples dedicated to Brahman, God the almighty, and temples dedicated to the ancestors, the souls of the dead relatives. The belief in Samsara creates the opinion that having a child is important to give possibility for the soul to reincarnate. Family planning is successful in Bali because there is also a set of rule spiritually controlling the birth of too many children. That is the “duties if parents” which includes the necessity to look after children well which parents can not do if they have too many.

Karma law prevents people from doing bad deeds because such things will result in negative effect to the doer. While belief in Moksha suggest positive attitude that eventually everybody or every soul, after series of reincarnations will be able to join the origin, the God head.

Susila prescribes good behaviors and attitudes which are vital in social life, unless one is able to control himself and manage to place himself in the right position he will certainly suffer in his life specially in Balinese society where “mental torture” is one of the most feared, a kind of social punishment, like being declared socially dead an ignored.

Upacara manifests itself in innumerable ceremonies, such as the semi annual or annual temple festivals, ordination ceremonies, cremation, tooth filing and wedding ceremonies and sacrifices. An example of such sacrifices is done yearly the day before Nyepi, the Caka New Year.

Another philosophy of the Balinese if the “Tri Hita Karana” or the three prosperity/happiness supporting clement in the form of harmonious relationship amongst Man, God and Environment.