Story of Bali, Indonesia

Hindu-Indonesian works of art made from permanent materials are to be found on varous islands, but predominantly in Java. 'They are also present on Bali, with the significant difference that Hinduism has survived on Bali up to the present day. In Sumatra fragments have been found apparently dating from the period between the 8th and 15th centuries, but they are for the most part in such a state of ruin that they will not be examined in this volume.

It may be noted that in various places, and partly in the areas marginally affected by cultural movements from India, statues of Buddha have been found in the Amaravath style - a style which flourished in India between the second and fifth centuries A.D. It is conceivable that these bronze figures were brought from India, A large stone figure of Buddha, about to feet high and executed in the same style, has, been discovered in the district of Palembang. In this case, too, the place of origin cannot be ascertained for certain.

Monuments which were erected oil this island under the dynasties of the Buddhist-Hindu period have for the greater part fallen into turn with the passage of time. It was not until the twentieth century, that restoration work was begun on some monuments that have been preserved, which fortunately include several sanctuaries of particular, value, such as Borobudur in central java and the great temple complex of Prambanan.

As can be seen from the short survey given of Javanese history central Javanese period which lasted Until 927 was followed by eastern Javanese period, which came to a close with the collapse of the last Hindu Javanese kingdom of Midjapahit. Both architecture and sculpture display considerable modifications in style, and consequently tile art of tile later period differs markedly from the earlier. We shall return to this point in greater detail in but two causes for this change must be mentioned here

In the first place we must point to the Buddhist-Hindu syncretism which appeared in Java, reaching its climax in tile reign of King Airlangga of the Mataram dynasty. This prince became a monk tow r the end of his life, which points to Buddhist influence, and style himself a re-incarnation of Vishnu (1042 A.D.)

The Javanese finds it easy to fuse various religious conceptions. Mysticism was a necessity of life for him, whilst lie rarely attached decisive importance to theological problems. This accounts; for the characteristic feature of religious life in java, an open-minded tolerance.

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