Life of a Balinese Temple, The
Book Description
Step into the sacred world of Balinese spirituality through an intimate portrait of Pura Desa Batuan, a village temple that serves as both spiritual sanctuary and living work of art. Anthropologist Hildred Geertz invites readers on a profound journey of discovery, exploring how a community's deepest beliefs take physical form through stone carvings, architectural designs, and sacred imagery.
This remarkable study reveals how temple art transcends mere decoration to become a language of devotion, where every statue and structural element carries meaning for those who gather to worship. Through twenty years of careful observation, Geertz illuminates the intricate relationship between artistic creation and spiritual expression, showing how village artisans channel their faith into tangible beauty while community members engage with these sacred works as both critics and devoted participants.
Rather than viewing the temple as a static monument, this exploration presents it as a dynamic space where material culture and social relationships evolve together over time. Readers will gain fresh insights into how spiritual communities evaluate craftsmanship and interpret religious imagery, discovering universal truths about the human need to give physical form to the sacred.
Enhanced with photographs, drawings, and maps, this work offers seekers a unique window into how one community creates and maintains its spiritual center, providing valuable perspectives on the intersection of art, faith, and communal life.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 291 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Architecture
- ✓ Explore Temples
- ✓ Explore Balinese temple
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Balinese (Indonesian people)
- ✓ Explore Art, indonesian
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Balinese Art
