Balinese Concept of God
Many friends of mine (non Balinese) often asked me, how many God do Balinese people worship actually? When I said only one, obviously they replied hell no as they heard that Balinese people got bunch of God, to name a few, god of the rain, god of the fire, god of the sea and so on. Then I made a joke to them, actually you will need a calculator just to count how many god Balinese have 
Please be informed that I am not trying to say Hinduism concept of God as I know that although Balinese people are Hindu followers but there is differences in some areas between the concept of God in Hindu followers in India and Hindu followers in Bali, which is very much influenced by its own original culture.
Actually Balinese believe in one and only one God, the Supreme Being called Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (ISHWW, my personal abbreviation). Agh I just realize how long His name is. No, no, there is no such things like first name, middle name and so on in His name. Guess what, only Hindu followers in Bali named their God as ISHWW. Not in Java (Tengger), not in India (as the place where Hinduism was originated), not in America and other part of world. Well just like Shakespeare said ‘what’s in a name?’.
For specific tasks, ISHWW Itself would not involved directly but will appoints many of Its ‘ministers’ and ‘deputies/sheriffs’ called ‘dewa’ (gods). They are not the Supreme Being, they just in charge for specific responsibilities, such Sang Suratma (who record all Hindu followers activities in this world, using his super computer Intel Core 100 Duo), also Dewa Baruna, who responsible for anything sea/ocean related things, Sang Hyang Bayu, who responsible for the wind, to name a few. There is a main concepts though in Balinese belief called Tri Murti (trinity) which consist of three gods and they are Brahma (the cosmic creator), Wisnu (the cosmic preservation) and Shiwa (the destructor).
Dewas are God’s angels I guess ? Is hindu’s God same as Christian or Islam’s God ?
@dian, yes maybe kind of angels. ISHWW, Jesus and Allah are not the same I guess but they are friend and often going to bar together
Om swastiastu…
This is a good posting.
To avoid any “clash of ignorance” (in term of undertanding other believes), we need to communicate what we believe to sombody else, at least what is the basic or principle thing in our religion. Particularly to anyone who has no idea about our religion.
This is very important, to let sombody know, let say a moeslem like me, about what Hinduism is.
Only learning or knowing the basic or principle thought of other religion would help us to respect others.
With this understanding and respect, we will gain trully harmonious relationship.
semoga pikiran bijak datang dari segala arah…
Setuju…!!!
Treat others with respect and love..
Btw, lam kenal…
Hi Mohammand,
Assallam Wualaikum Wrb,
I am really happy reading your comment, such a rare thought we can find nowadays. I then imagine if all of us in this world having the thought just like you, peace will be easily can be gained.
You’re correct. I totally agree with you.
Hi Maria, nice to meet you too
we believe in one supreme God but we name him based on his function (i.e his function as a creator, we name him as Brahma God, God as protector we name him as Wisnu God and God as destroyer we name him as Shiwa God …..)so our GOD is ONE