Tri Hita Karana and Tourism in Bali (8)
‘Parhyangan’ Reflecting a ‘Homo-Religious’ Creature

s explained in previous writing, the Tri Hita Karana (THK) philosophy contains universal values that express harmony and balance in relations between human and the spiritual environment, social environment, and natural environment for reaching a inner welfare and outer life. The Spiritual environment is the reflection of human destiny as homo-religious creatures, or creatures who believe in adikodrati or a supernatural authority (Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa/God the Almighty).
In their efforts to attain inner welfare, people always try to have a harmonious interaction with the spiritual environment. This is expressed in the form of a religion system that contains conception of conviction, religious facility, and religious community.
The existence of this religious system has been recognized for a long time as an important thing for spiritual prosperity; a life which is only after extrinsic prosperity without being balanced by spiritual prosperity will send humans into the darkness.
In Balinese culture, religion is reflected in many aspects of society. Therefore, almost none of the aspects of life are totally secular or profane. It always consists of religious nuances as the expression of the equilibrium in relations between humans and their spiritual environment (parhyangan).
In tourism, parhyangan consists of system of Dewi Laksmi’s existence who become a light and manifestation of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa as a source of prosperity. The components of Parhyangan for tourism in Bali are as follows:
· The company is obliged to apprecciate the conviction conception of Dewi Laksmi’s existence who is the manifestation of Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa (God the Almighty).
· In relation with above, the company is obliged to build a worshipping complex (temple) in its completeness (upa rengga) according to the valid stipulations.
· The temple must be located in the mandala main area with a width of more or less 1/9 (a ninth) of the entire width of the company’s area.
· The Mandala main area functions as a holy area that is free from any activities and facilities that may pollute its purity.
· The architectural concept of the temple must conform to the common concept of holy construction by paying attention to the local specific substance.
· The placement, usage and the attributes and Hindus symbols in the enterprise’s area must be reconciled with its context.
· The company must have a holy literature collection and Hindu religion guidence book.
· The company is obliged to conduct religious activities in its environment, especially Dewa Yadnya and Butha Yadnya, according to tatwa, susila, and upacara.
· For carrying out religious activities in the company’s environment, the company must have at least one religious official (Pemangku).
· The company must create a Hindu organization (suka-duka) as a spiritual establishment and enlightement place for the their employees.
· The company must hold a spiritual establishment and enlightment activities for Hindu members in the company.
· The company is obliged to respect and show care for the religious life and traditional customs of the local community and society in general.
· The company must participate in conserving, developing, and innitiating the local culture.
· The naming of rooms or buildings should be appropriate to the local culture.

By Berata Asrama, The Chairman of THK Awards & Accreditations