"The plan is considered to be very strategic and urgent, as the local people and the Hindus in Bali remain carrying out rituals , but the materials for the rituals are increasingly difficult to obtain," head of the tour guide study program of Hindu Dharma Negeri Institute (IHDN) Denpasar, Dr.I Ketut Sumadi, said.
He said the development of the living museum which is arranged beautifully in a wide area can be a new attraction which may interest foreign tourists who enjoy holidays in Bali.
Such an effort should be made soon, considering the urgent need of such ceremonial stuffs as coconut leaves, coconut, flowers, leaves or bamboo which have been brought from other areas.
Such a condition makes the people and Hindus in Bali dependent on supplies from outside causing the ceremonies to become very expensive, Dr. Ketut Sumadi added.
He said every traditional village in Bali can build a living museum by utilizing the land of "pura laba", a plot of land jointly owned by residents in their respective areas so it can sustain the rituals of the people of the villages.
If the development can be realized, the Hindus will be able to perform the rituals with a practical and cheaper way.
The ancestors of Hindus in Bali had actually taught the concept of building a living museum through the ritual "Tumpek Bubuh", a ritual to honor the various species of vegetation.
According to Dr. Ketut Sumadi, the "Tumpek Bubuh" ritual is only to create new offerings hence its universal meaning and the practical matters for religious life have not been maximally applied.
However, there are few people with their own awareness making their land for raising medicinal plants, including trees for Hindu religious rituals.
Dr. Ketut Sumadi saw the government programs of making Bali a green and clean province could also be done by developing various kinds of trees for ritual purposes.
(T.KR-LWA/H-NG/F001/P003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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