Saraswati in Bali
Book Description
In the heart of Bali's renowned village of Peliatan, the ancient goddess Saraswati continues to weave her influence through daily spiritual practice and artistic expression. This illuminating exploration reveals how a community maintains its sacred traditions while navigating the pressures of modern tourism and cultural change.
Theater professor Ronald Scott Jenkins draws upon three decades of immersion in Balinese culture to unveil the profound connections between spirituality and creativity that define village life. Through intimate conversations with local painters, dancers, farmers, spiritual leaders, and traditional rulers, he demonstrates how the Balinese understanding of art transcends mere performance to become a pathway for accessing deeper wisdom.
The narrative centers around the vibrant ceremonies at Pura Madya temple and the cultural preservation efforts at the ARMA Museum, where shadow plays, masked dances, and artistic collections serve as living bridges between ancient knowledge and contemporary expression. Jenkins reveals how palm-leaf manuscripts containing centuries-old texts continue to inform modern spiritual practice, suggesting that artistic creation carries invisible layers of meaning that enrich human experience.
For those seeking to understand how traditional wisdom adapts and survives in our changing world, this work offers valuable insights into the sacred relationship between creativity, community, and spiritual growth. The book presents a compelling case study of how one culture maintains its spiritual center while remaining open to the world.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~4 hours)
📄 Length: 160 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Balinese (Indonesian people)
- ✓ Explore Bali island (indonesia), social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Social life and customs
- ✓ Explore Religious life
- ✓ Explore Balinese Arts
- ✓ Explore Sarasvatī (Hindu deity)
- ✓ Explore Hindu goddesses
- ✓ Explore Hindu gods
