Purnama Sasih Jiyestha

Purnama Sasih Jiyestha is a full moon ceremony in Balinese Hinduism, held during the Jiyestha month of the Balinese calendar. It is a time for honoring the gods through offerings and rituals, seeking blessings, purification, and spiritual renewal. The full moon symbolizes clarity and divine light, offering a moment for Balinese Hindus to pray for prosperity, guidance, and the removal of negative influences. This ceremony strengthens the connection between the physical and spiritual realms, maintaining balance and harmony.

Description of the Ceremony

Purpose

The purpose of Purnama Sasih Jiyestha is to honor the gods, seek blessings, and promote spiritual renewal. It is a time for purification, praying for guidance, prosperity, and the removal of negative energies. The ceremony aims to restore balance and harmony between the physical and spiritual realms, fostering clarity and divine protection.

Rituals

The ceremony often involves various rituals, such as:

• Offerings: During Purnama Sasih Jiyestha, offerings such as canang sari (small flower offerings), banten (sacred offerings), fruits, cakes, and incense are made to honor the gods. These offerings are placed at temples, family shrines, and altars to seek blessings, purification, and spiritual protection. The offerings are intended to maintain harmony between the spiritual and physical realms.
• Prayers and Chanting: During Purnama Sasih Jiyestha, prayers and chanting are performed to honor the gods and seek blessings. These prayers often focus on purification, spiritual guidance, and the removal of negative energy. The chanting, usually in the form of sacred mantras, is intended to invoke divine protection, clarity, and prosperity for the participants and the community.
• Ceremonial Cleansing: Purnama Sasih Jiyestha involves the use of holy water to purify individuals and their surroundings. This ritual symbolizes the removal of negative energy, spiritual renewal, and the restoration of balance. It prepares participants to receive divine blessings and maintain harmony between the physical and spiritual realms.

Community Participation

Purnama Sasih Jiyestha is essential, as families and neighbors come together to prepare offerings, perform rituals, and attend temple ceremonies. This collective involvement strengthens social bonds, fosters shared spiritual devotion, and ensures the preservation of Balinese cultural traditions while maintaining balance and harmony within the community.

Cultural Significance

Purnama Sasih Jiyestha is essential, as families and neighbors come together to prepare offerings, perform rituals, and attend temple ceremonies. This collective involvement strengthens social bonds, fosters shared spiritual devotion, and ensures the preservation of Balinese cultural traditions while maintaining balance and harmony within the community.

Timing

Purnama Sasih Jiyestha occurs on the full moon of the Jiyestha month in the Balinese Pawukon calendar. This typically happens around May or June, depending on the lunar cycle. It is one of the many full moon ceremonies in Balinese Hinduism, marking a time for spiritual reflection, purification, and seeking blessings.

Conclusion

Purnama Sasih Jiyestha is a significant spiritual occasion in Balinese Hinduism, focused on honoring the gods, seeking blessings, and restoring spiritual balance. Through offerings, prayers, chanting, and ceremonial cleansing, this full moon ceremony fosters purification, renewal, and divine protection. It strengthens community bonds, preserves cultural traditions, and maintains harmony between the physical and spiritual realms.