June 9, 1998

A Balinese High Priest explains the gross misinterpretation of Balinese Hinduism in context to the Turtles' current situation.
Read the facts about the true religious doctrine in contrast to the reality of current practices, and what has to be done to change these practices !

A major step toward Banning the Sea Turtle Trade and Slaughter was made after a recorded interview with the Balinese High Priest, Ida Pedanda Gee Nyurah Kaleran.

A powerful and definite stance was taken the by the High Priest to clarify the Balinese religious dilemma concerning Turtles and the Turtle Trade in regard to Balinese Religious Rites. Also the parallel roles and responsibilities of the Indonesian Governmental and Environmental groups was discussed. All these aspects will be briefly explained in the following as discussed by founder of Earth Advocates and the Pedanda (High Priest).

Turtles in Balinese Hinduism

Turtles are one of many sacred creations of god which should be respected and protected. In the Hindu scriptures 'Vishnu', the second member of the Hindu trinity, also called the Preserver, is reincarnated in the form of a Turtle in his second life. This symbolically already qualifies the Turtle family as Sacred, and when one kills or eats this creature one is doing the same to god. The Turtle also represents the creator and holder of the Earth, and everything it contains. According to Balinese scriptures, the Island of Bali rests on the back of a Turtle known as Bedawang Nala, 'The Stabilizer'. This has always been reflected on statues in many temples (e.g., photo). Any person who consumes and supports the killing of Turtles is not a good Hindu, and is doing a dishonor to himself, thus disconnecting himself from proper Balinese Religious practices. This also includes many priests who allow such events to occur in temples and consume the offerings as well. They are totally disconnected from the scriptures and surely do not carry a good fate due to their behavior and greed.

Religious Rites

In Balinese Hinduism there are only two major ceremonies that require the symbolic sacrifice of the Turtles, "Tawur Agung", which occurs every 5 to 10 YEARS, and "Tri Bhuwana" or "Eka Dasa Rudra", which is held approximately once every one hundred years. One Ceremony is a process of holistic cleansing to return balance to the Universe which includes the offering of available creatures to god, those not available can be sacrificed symbolically in the form of a picture or carving. The second major ceremony is a tribute and offering to all the past ancestors and those in the Higher Casts, again a symbolic offering is also in order. Per year there exists approximately 50 less major ceremonies that require certain offerings, but again a purely symbolic image can be substituted. In fact, by the Rule of the Hindu Scriptures, live sacrifice or killing is not necessary at all ! These practices stem mainly from lust and greed to kill and consume, not customary practice rather a misinterpretation of Hinduism by humans (including many priests).This according to the Pedanda. In some Balinese communities in the past it was customary to free held turtles, a much better omen than what is occurring now!

Many people and communities in Bali, especially in the southern coastal areas, practice their own misguided interpretation of Balinese Hinduism when they sacrifice turtles. They do not realize they are murdering their gods sacred creature to satisfy their own greedy desires. Such people, including many morally weak priests are in fact bloodying and dirtying the Temples. Weddings, Birthdays, Family deaths, new births, and so forth, are no excuse for killing anything! Consumption of any creatures sacrificed to Gods must be classified as sacrilegious behavior. Unfortunately, many Balinese people are ignorant about their own religion and misled by community leaders including members of the Balinese Hindu Consul, who themselves sometimes are ignorant about the real scriptures of their faith. Due to this ignorance and the accessibility of turtles in Tanjung, thousands of turtles are being killed and consumed on Bali without considering the moral consequences.

To rectify the problems stemming from the blatant disregard of true religious doctrine, a sweeping awareness campaign on a grass roots level is required . The Balinese Hindu Consul, the representative Consul between Balinese religious society and the national government must get in line with the Rules of the Hindu scriptures and must represent it thoroughly and responsibly. If the Religious Consul makes such moves and consequently recommends Local Balinese and National Government implementation of new laws and absolute compliance of these, only then can a rapid change be made. Such a campaign can only be initiated through sound religious leadership. We hope that we have at least started to get the ball rolling in this direction.