Nature is so kind to its dwellers, namely plants, animals and humans. It has provided all things or sustenance required for the survival around the clock. All require the presence of one another. However, human beings are the most determining elements among the three because humans are the only creatures bestowed with the capability of thingking.
One of the basic principles in Hinduism is the belief in the soul. All creatures are brought to life by vital energy or their soul (Atman). It represents the fragment of God (Brahman). Since the material body bonds them, they can not identify their pure self. Human beings are endowed with power, words and the mind plays a dominant role in maintaining the relations.
Animals, particularly cattle, for instance, have helped human beings in living their lives. Cows provide humans with the power to plough soil in the rice fields or gardens, milk for children and adults, and its dung for fertilizing the soil. Meanwhile, other animals provide humans with eggs or meat to eat.
As a means of thanksgiving, Hindu devotees in Bali celebrate a particular day every 210 days as spesial ceremony to their cattle. It is called Tumpek Kandang falling on Saturday Kliwon Wuku Uye. The upcoming celebration will fall on the 6th of June. On that day, the Hindus in Bali will celebrate by presenting some oblations showing a deep gratitude for being given the energy assistance, healthy drink and delicious food. The same respect is given to cultivated plants that are honored through Tumpek Pengatag or Bubuh (Saturday Kliwon Wariga) and humans have a spesial birthday (otonan) celebrated once every 210 days. From the morning, girls or household mothers will be busy preparing everything for the rituals.
Since human beings have strong minds, they have the opportunity think and learn about God. This denotes another belief of Hinduism, namely Moksha. Meanwhile, animals and plants do not have this opportunity. However, human beings can assist the souls of animals and plants so they can reach a higher level in their next life.
Dharma Caruban manuscript describes the correct way to slaughter animals and to take plants for the use of rituals. Before slaughtering them, they are given particular mantras with the hope that they can reach a higher level of life in the next reincarnation. This treatment is equally given to all plants, fish (ekapada), fowl (dwipada) and four-legged animals (catur pada).
In regards to this human-animal relation, there is another manuscript, namely Darmaning Pemaculan or Shri Tattwa, which describes the spiritual farming-related activities, ranging from how to build different sizes of dams, land cultivation and plant’s disease eradication to rituals held in each phase of the activity.
When getting in touch with human life, all animals are treated as God’s creation and communication is amintained. Human beings offer thanksgiving oblations for the help extended; invocation for better lives when animals are in use for ritual ingredients; acknowledgment and repressive action to plant diseases if they attack human plants.

News by International Bali Post

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