10. Karma

I watch as five people, dressed in all white, get into a canoe and are paddled to the center of Lake Bratan.  My guide, Mr. Lucky, tells me that this is a family, and today is an important day for them.  They are spreading the ashes of a loved one onto the water.  “This is the second step in the process of releasing the soul,” he says.  “The first was the cremation, which took place yesterday.”  He proceeds to teach me about this aspect of Hinduism and how death “works” here in Bali.  “Once the ashes have been spread, they will take a special water bottle wrapped in white and yellow fabric and fill it with a mixture of the ash and water.  This is very special for them because now the soul has been released to the water, and they can hold part of the soul in the their hands.  When they come back, you will see that they will be very happy.”  “Really?”  I ask, surprised.  “Most people cry when someone dies.”  “Not in Hinduism,” he says.  “To us, it is the time to honor your loved one and to celebrate their life with happiness and high respect.  This celebration creates good karma pala for you, and it also helps to create good karma pala for the person who has died.  “I’m familiar with karma, but what is karma pala?”  I ask.  “It means action and reaction.  Karma, means action and pala means reaction.  If your action is to create a happy celebration, God will react by blessing you with good things.”  “If you do good things, many blessings come to you.  If you do bad things, you will have a difficult life.”  “I see.  Please continue.”  “Alright.  After they come back with the water, they will take the water to Baru Karu Mountain.  Another ceremony will be held there.  They will share the water and the ash with the earth, connecting all three elements.  Again, this is happy.  It is good for all to be joined like this.  Once this is complete, the family will take a mixture of the moist soil to their home.  They will put the soil and ash and water mixture in the place where they make their offerings to remind them of their love for the person.  Three times a day, when they say their prayers and make their offerings, they pray for deceased loved one too.  It is good to think of them with God in paradise.  It is a nice thought.”  “I agree,” I say.  “All of this makes me curious about being reborn.  What can you tell me about that?”  Mr. Lucky looks at me for a moment as if thinking of how to phrase his answer.  I see the expression on his face change.  It softens, then he says in a near-whisper, “The purpose is not to be reborn, Miss Lisa.  Life is a class.  The world is a very large classroom with teachings.  We all learn from one another.  You like to learn.  You tell me this.  Do this, everyday.  Learn good lessons.  God wants you to grow.  Every day do good things and many blessings come to you.  Maybe you get to stay in paradise with God…”