To determine good days or bad days, Balinese Hindus
use three calendar system. The first is the lunar system (Chandra
Premana), which is based on the moon orbiting around the earth.
The second is the solar system (Surya Premana), which is based
on the earth orbiting the sun. And the third is the “wuku
system”, which is only known by Hindus in Java and Bali.
The three systems take into account the respective positions of
the moon and the sun because according Hinduism
these influence human life in many ways. The orbiting of the planets
in space, can create a climate which greatly affaects all living
things, which are God creations.
Like western philosophy also states that man lives in harmony
with nature. And according to Hinduism, man is also called Bhuwana
Alit (microcosmos) while the universe is called Bhuwana Agung
(macrocosmos).
The
sun, the moon and the earth each revolve according their own nature.
Since human being live with nature, the have to live in line with
it. The earth revolves around the sun for 365 days 5 hours 48
minutes and 46 seconds a year and the moon revolves around the
earth for 355 days a year. Compared to the earth orbiting the
sun, the moon orbiting the earth is always ten days faster every
year. There therefore need to be adjustment made to calendar system
every ten years.
In the abve lunar-solar system, one year divided into twelve months
much like in other calendar system. Another system which is used
is wuku system. This system is also called pawukon and has 210
days a year (a wukon), which is equal to just over six months
in a conventional calendar system. It is this system which is
usually used to determine when temple festivals are held.
The Balinese also have a dating system, called
Prenata Masa, which is especially used for agriculture. It is
important to note that no mater how modern the culture of a society
is, without agriculture is nothing, since it is the agriculture
which provide the basic needs of human beings. In applying the
teachings of the religion, Hindus never abandon agriculture no
matter how modern the service industry is.
According to Hinduism, the harmony of universe will have a great
effect on the harmony of human life on earth. What is meant by
harmony in this context covers the dynamism and productivity in
developing balanced and continues material and spiritual values
to improve the quality of human life.
