The Balinese Hindus have a special celebration when welcoming the new year of Caka, called Hari raya Nyepi. The word ‘nyepi’ comes from the root word of ‘sepi’ in Indonesian, which means quiet. On this special day, which accurs once a year, every thing comes to stop : no people traveling, no traffic on the road, no noise from factories, no public performances, etc.
This creates a special atmosphere! People seem to stop their activities. Blank, empty, zero, quite! Why is this so important for the Balinese? Balinese people believe that an empty thing can be filled. When we want to start with a new life, a new spirit, it is good to start with an empty condition from the beginning.
Facing the New Year (tahun Caka), the balinese believe that people will have a new spirit, and are expected to make a new and better start. Hopefully in this quiet situation (because there’s no traffic on that day) they can feel how good it is when people reduce noise, air pollution, traffic jams etc.
When we reach the new year, we should start with a new spirit where we can make a new environment. With the new spirit of ‘Nyepi’ we hope that more people will pay attention to leading a balanced life, a harmonious relationship with God, other human beings and with the environment. For example, we can not just work for money but ignore nature. Nature needs a break from interference by human too!
News by International Bali Post
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