A BALINESE TEMPLE IN ADELAIDE
JAGATNATHA DAKSHINA MANDALA TEMPLE
Om Swastyastu,
With the blessing of Ida Sanghyang Widi Wasa, we, Balinese who live in Adelaide, South Australia, succeeded in forming the Banjar Dharma Acintya in 2015, a not-for-profit unincorporated organisation. In the spirit of establishing a sense of community and maintaining Balinese traditions, in 2019 this organisation was incorporated and registered as the Balinese Society of South Australia Incorporated.
"Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali" is the vision of the Bali Provincial Government. This translates to 'preserving the purity and harmony of the nature of Bali and its contents', as well as realising the prosperity and happiness of Balinese people, both physically and spiritually. In line with this vision, we, the members of Banjar Dharma Acintya, also share this responsibility. We envision a vibrant, modern, diverse and accepting community in which we celebrate the values we share and respect our differences through the lens of Balinese philosophy, called 'Tri Hita Karana.’ Tri Hita Karana literally translates to ‘Three Causes to Prosperity,’ bringing about harmonious relationships between humans and God, one another, and nature. By applying the concept of Tri Hita Karana, Banjar Dharma Acintya attemps to provide a structure to empower its members in the three virtues of:
Devotion to God /Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (Gratitude)
Harmony with others (Compassion)
Love for the environment (Responsibility)
We belief that these concepts of Tri Hita Karana can be applied universally to bring peace, welfare and happiness to all humanity.
The Balinese in South Australia encompass nearly 100 families and there are close to 1,000 Balinese families in all of Australia, which continues to grow. In light of this, we wish to establish a Jagatnatha Temple in Adelaide, Australia. This temple will become a sacred place at the southern tip of the hemisphere and will be the first Balinese temple in Australia.
We are hoping that with this proposed Jagatnatha Temple, there will be a place that can be used as:
a centre of worship to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa
a Balinese education centre, a place to learn about Balinese wisdoms, philosophical concepts, and culture, especially for future generations.
a landmark to showcase traditional Balinese architecture and landscapes to Australian communities so that Bali is better known and understood.
a place where social interactions are fostered
a source of inspiration that drives awareness and love for the environment
We hope that this development plan will receive your attention and support so that this dream can be realised.
May Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa always bless us all.
Om Santhi Santhi Santhi Om,
Chairman
I Gusti Ngurah Darmawan
HARMONIOUS BALANCE
Balinese cosmological beliefs have become a very important foundation in Balinese lives, including architecture. Balinese architecture does not simply consist of physical and natural materials, it also seeks balance and propriety. It needs to be in a harmonious balance relationship between humans with humans, humans with their natural surroundings, and humans with God or known as Tri Hita Karana.
THE UNIVERSE MACROCOSM
The Balinese concept of the universe is based on the view that nature is arranged into three parts, called Triloka, namely the upper world of God and heaven (Swah Loka), the middle world of man (Bhuwah Loka), and the underworld (Bhur Loka). In line with this principle, the Balinese Temple, Pura Jagatnatha Dakshina Mandala, will be diveded into three areas, namely jabaan (outer courtyard/Kanistha Mandala), jaba tengah (middle courtyard/Madhya Mandala) and jeroan (inner courtyard/Uttama Mandala).
SPATIAL HIERARCHY
As Balinese considered their architecture as a scaled-down version of the cosmos, the basic principles of Balinese architecture also refer to these concepts. Pura Jagatnatha Dakshina Mandala, will be divided into three areas, namely jabaan (outer courtyard/Kanistha Mandala), jaba tengah (middle courtyard/Madhya Mandala) and jeroan (inner courtyard/Uttama Mandala). The outer courtyard is the location for the community hall (wantilan) where social activities will be conducted. The gate to enter the middle courtyard is called Candi Bentar. In this middle area, preparations for the prayers are usually undertaken. It is also a place where sacred performances are conducted. Bale gong, a musical platform, is the place for musical instruments or gamelan. The gate to enter the inner courtyard is called the Kori Agung.
CULTURAL CENTRE
For the Balinese communities in Australia, this temple will become a central place where harmonious and balanced horizontal relationships among the community members as well as between us and nature are nurtured and empowered. However, the benefits of this temple are not limited to the Balinese society, but also the wider Australian community. In this proposed temple, people can immerse themselves in the Balinese culture, explore the Balinese architecture, and have a comprehensive Balinese experience, without the need to travel to Bali. This complex has the potential to become a tourist attraction which will be beneficial to Australians and South Australia’s economy.
WAYS TO HELP
There are many ways you can become involved with and help our community, by volunteering to help, donating much-needed funds, or by becoming a member in order to receive the full benefits of our vibrant Hindu community.
If you would like to help, then please click to find out more about the various ways you can get involved.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY
Our First Committee Meeting - 24 Nov 2019
In January 2020, some of our committee members, Pak Gusti Darmawan, ibu Kencana and Pak 'Ming' Nyoman Sumadi went to Bali and conducted a 'matur piuning' ceremony at the mother temple Besakih. 'Matur piuning' is a Balinese Hindu ceremony to ask permission and blessing prior to the start of an important task. In this instance, the important task at hand is the building of a Balinese Hindu temple in Adelaide. While in Bali, Pak Gusti Darmawan and ibu Kencana Dharmapatni also met Pak Ketut Padang Subadra, the architect of Santhi Bhuwana Temple in Belgium, and asked him to join the task force. Thank you all for your support.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY
Matur Piuning Ceremony - Jan 2020
In January 2020, some of our committee members, Pak Gusti Darmawan, ibu Kencana and Pak 'Ming' Nyoman Sumadi went to Bali and conducted a 'matur piuning' ceremony at the mother temple Besakih. 'Matur piuning' is a Balinese Hindu ceremony to ask permission and blessing prior to the start of an important task. In this instance, the important task at hand is the building of a Balinese Hindu temple in Adelaide. While in Bali, Pak Gusti Darmawan and ibu Kencana Dharmapatni also met Pak Ketut Padang Subadra, the architect of Santhi Bhuwana Temple in Belgium, and asked him to join the task force. Thank you all for your support.
FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY
Second Committee Meeting - 8 Feb 2020
In January 2020, some of our committee members, Pak Gusti Darmawan, ibu Kencana and Pak 'Ming' Nyoman Sumadi went to Bali and conducted a 'matur piuning' ceremony at the mother temple Besakih. 'Matur piuning' is a Balinese Hindu ceremony to ask permission and blessing prior to the start of an important task. In this instance, the important task at hand is the building of a Balinese Hindu temple in Adelaide. While in Bali, Pak Gusti Darmawan and ibu Kencana Dharmapatni also met Pak Ketut Padang Subadra, the architect of Santhi Bhuwana Temple in Belgium, and asked him to join the task force. Thank you all for your support.
Third Committee Meeting - 15 Mar 2020
In January 2020, some of our committee members, Pak Gusti Darmawan, ibu Kencana and Pak 'Ming' Nyoman Sumadi went to Bali and conducted a 'matur piuning' ceremony at the mother temple Besakih. 'Matur piuning' is a Balinese Hindu ceremony to ask permission and blessing prior to the start of an important task. In this instance, the important task at hand is the building of a Balinese Hindu temple in Adelaide. While in Bali, Pak Gusti Darmawan and ibu Kencana Dharmapatni also met Pak Ketut Padang Subadra, the architect of Santhi Bhuwana Temple in Belgium, and asked him to join the task force. Thank you all for your support.
MEET THE PROJECT COMMITTEE
If you also share our vision and wish to actively contribute to this goal, we encourage you to join this temple development committee.
I GUSTI NGURAH DARMAWAN
Chairman
ANAK AGUNG SAGUNG SRI KENCANA DHARMAPATNI
Secretary
I NYOMAN SUMADI
Treasurer
KETUT PADANG SUBADRA
Architect
I WAYAN SUDARPA
Logistics
I PUTU PRAWIRA KUSUMA
Public Relations