Cremation Ceremony (Ngaben): Journey to Soul Liberation

Animal-shaped sarcophagi, towering Bade structures, scattering ashes at sea. The meaning behind the vibrant ceremony celebrating death.

In Balinese Hinduism, the cremation ceremony (Ngaben, or Pelebon for royalty) is not a somber event mourning death, but the most crucial and spectacular 'final duty' to liberate the soul from the physical body and send it towards the divine. The body is seen merely as a temporary vessel for the soul, and purification through fire allows the soul to enter the cycle of reincarnation or achieve liberation (moksha). Consequently, Ngaben is a major event requiring immense expense and effort, undertaken with the cooperation of the entire village. The sight of the towering, ornate funeral towers (Bade) reaching towards the sky and the animal-shaped sarcophagi (Lembu) symbolizing the deceased's caste is truly spectacular. Filled more with a festive atmosphere than sorrow, this ceremony vividly reflects the unique Balinese perspective on life and death.

A Vibrant Celebration Liberating the Soul

For the Balinese, death is not an end but a transition to the next life. It is believed that for the soul (atma) to be completely free from its physical constraints, the body must be returned to its elemental state through cremation. To ensure the soul departs without lingering attachments and journeys smoothly to the heavens, the family suppresses grief and instead sends off the deceased with a bright and grand celebration. Ngaben is a 'festival' honoring the merits accumulated by the deceased during their lifetime and blessing their soul's journey. Due to the high cost, it's not uncommon for bodies to be temporarily buried for years while the family saves money. During this time, the family diligently prepares, and the community offers support, sparing no effort to give the departed the best possible send-off.

Bade: The Tower to Heaven and Sacred Beast Sarcophagi

The most spectacular part of Ngaben is the grand procession from the family home to the cremation ground. The coffin containing the deceased is placed atop a 'Bade,' a towering structure with multiple roofs, carried by a large group of men. The Bade symbolizes the cosmos, and the number of roof tiers (always odd) indicates the deceased's social status, reaching up to 11 tiers for the highest royalty. Upon arrival at the cremation ground, the body is transferred from the Bade to a 'Lembu,' a sarcophagus shaped like an animal, which also corresponds to the deceased's caste. The Brahmana caste typically uses a sacred bull, while the Ksatria caste often uses a winged lion. These magnificent, enormous creations serve as vehicles to transport the soul to the heavens.

Purification by Fire and Return to the Sea

At the cremation ground, a high priest (Pedanda) officiates the ceremony, sprinkling holy water and chanting complex mantras. Fire is considered a sacred element that incinerates all impurities and purifies the soul. The sight of the Bade and Lembu engulfed in flames, as the physical body returns to smoke ascending towards the sky, is both intense and profoundly spiritual. After the cremation, the family collects the remaining bone fragments. Later, another procession is held for the 'Nyekah' ceremony, where the ashes are scattered into the sea or a river. This act ensures the complete return of the body's five constituent elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether) to nature, fully liberating the soul from all worldly ties. Only after this series of rituals does the soul's journey reach a significant milestone.

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