
Religion in Bali
While most of Indonesia is Muslim, Bali is unique in that most of its local people are Hindu. However, you may notice that Hinduism in Bali is not quite the same as Hinduism in India and other parts of the world; you can see the stark differences even in the architecture of Bali’s temples. This is because the practices of Balinese people, while strongly influenced by Hinduism, are also influenced by animism, local traditions, as well as Buddhism. This results in a unique type of Hinduism that cannot be found outside of Bali, and that is part of Bali’s fascinating culture.
That being said, some core Hindu beliefs remain the same in Bali. Balinese people believe in a Supreme Being that manifests as Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer), something of the Holy Trinity in Hinduism that helps maintain order in our cosmos. They also believe in the law of karma, moksha (liberation), as well as reincarnation within one’s ancestry. It is these fascinating differences that inspire visitors to look inwards within themselves to find a spark that connects them to the universe and find greater things in life.