Tri Hita Karana is a Sanskrit term that literally means “three paths to peacefulness and prosperity”, and is about harmonious relationships with God, fellow human beings and the environment.
The concept of stability implied in this term, has long been at the heart of Balinese philosophy and daily practice, representing the delicate balance between the physical and spiritual worlds.
With the Hindu Saka New Year falling on March 16, it seems an appropriate moment to reflect upon the implications of Tri Hita Karana, not only in the context of Bali but also in relation to worldwide efforts to curb global warming, reduce poverty, improve education and provide health care for all.
When we think about the word “harmony”, we may think of peacefulness and self control. These values are the essence of Nyepi, when families in Bali fast in silence, do without light and forego entertainment, seeking to restore the energy of the earth that has been used up over the previous year and to nurture harmony within families and the wider community.
Philosophy is often considered an abstract and esoteric subject. But the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana has a very clear and practical application, with human beings seen as “doers” — the ones who must carry out development. In the context of Indonesia’s current efforts to improve and develop its tourism industry, this aspect of harmony suggests that tourism here must be community based.
When fishing with bombs for short-term benefits is replaced by reef rehabilitation, for example, fish are attracted as well as eco-tourists who provide communities with new and sustainable sources of income.
Tri Hita Karana is based upon the virtues of responsibility, sensitivity and thankfulness and we find the very same tenets within the concept of environmental conservation. With regard to tourism this means that not only those who provide services, but also the tourists themselves, need to show respect for the communities and places they visit.
Balinese philosophical trilogies such as Tri Hita Karana, and Desa Kala Patra (which seeks harmony between time, place and condition) seem to embody the struggle for integration and the need to balance key aspects of life such as the economy and environment, agriculture and tourism and the varied resource bases of Indonesia’s richly diverse provinces.
Indonesia with its thousands of islands offers many prospects for coastal development. Coasts can be used for many different purposes and various individuals or groups may perceive the coasts with different needs and different ways of satisfying those needs. Local residents may see a beach as a place to fish or harvest seaweed, to participate in religious rites or to sell souvenirs to tourists, developers may see them as places to build hotels and tourists see beaches as places to relax.
In Bali, many of the beaches have become dominated by tourist activities while traditional Balinese activities have been displaced. In such cases, serious attention needs to be given to identifying complementary and competitive activities at specific coastal sites. Cultural tourism implies that tourists should interact with residents in a culturally appropriate manner and every effort must be made to ensure that traditional uses are not disadvantaged by tourism.
Ideally, tourism development would contribute to the Indonesian development goals of growth, stability and equity. Growth is needed to raise living standards and to contribute to an enhanced quality of life. However such growth should not occur at all costs but must be in harmony with culture and the environment. Tourism can and must provide opportunities for local involvement and the way to develop a balance of inter-linked interests.
For sustainable development, systematic planning is vital, followed up by action. Various instances of Bali’s coastal management show that balance has not been achieved between environmental, cultural and economic aspects. Thus it is surely the time to be active rather than passive and to revisit and implement Tri Hita Karana in a very real way.
Like other Balinese children, I learned from an early age that being at one with God, Nature and fellow human beings opens the way to a meaningful life. The intricate daily offerings of flower petals in tiny leaf baskets, so long a part of my life, are about giving thanks and praising mother nature.
May the prayers of this Saka New Year help to put mankind at one with Nature, to bring peace to our nation and peace to the world.
The writer is a student of the School of Economics, University of Indonesia, and a delegate of the 2010 HPAIR Harvard Conference at Harvard University
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