The Island of Thousand Temples (46)
Function of Padmasana at Government Offices

One of the Hindu philosophies is Tri Hita Karana (THK). This concept has been used as the fundamental development in Bali since 1969. The idea came to view at the seminar at Faculty of Letters, Udayana University that attempted to find development fundamentals in order that the Balinese could be able to sustain their culture through the ages.

Then in (1969), I Gusti Ketut Kaler proposed the concept Parhyangan, Pawongan and Palemahan as spatial order concept to implement the THK philosophy in daily life. Parhyangan, Pawongan and Palemahan are venerating God, serving the fellow humans and caring for nature. So, THK is balancing life between venerating God (Parhyangan), serving the fellows (Pawongan) and caring for the nature (Palemahan) based on Yajna.
Venerating God, serving the fellows and caring for the nature are universal concepts that has been implemented worldwide. Yet, people’s understanding is fairly different, as if they leaped, as they liked. But in THK concept, the three concepts have come together into a single balanced and synergic integrity, for instance, in implementing nature conservation. This is carried out as the manifestation of devotional service to God. Why? Because the nature is God’s creation, even in accordance with Hindu belief, and is the physical body of God.
To instill sacred values of the THK philosophy, every government and private office in Bali must establish a sanctum. It means they should provide a track of land on the uppermost angle (eastward and northward) for this purpose within their office complex. Therefore, government and private office will come to have sanctums with a Pelinggih Padma shrine as a medium to venerate God.
Adoration processions at Padma takes place everyday. There is also a somewhat bigger adoration, usually on religious holidays like Saraswati, Siwaratri, Galungan, Pagerwesi et cetera. So, whom, or God in which manifestation is glorified at Pelinggih Padma?
The result of Unitary Interpretation on the Hindu Aspects seminar agreed that Pelinggih Padma is a sanctum categorized into the Svagina Temple. It means that God is glorified to strengthen devotees in performing their tasks in accordance with their professions. If they work in general administration office (of governor or regent), for instance, so God is revered as Bhatara Prajapati. If they work to administer economic prosperity (financial institution, bank et cetera), so God is revered as the Goddess Laskmi. If the office carries out the defense and security affairs (army et cetera), God is revered as the Lord Gana. If they work in agriculture, God is revered as the Lord Sangkara and just as in other fields.
Obviously, the existence of Pelinggih Padma there is used to motivate and generate the spiritual awareness of those who work there. They obtain faith that God will extend his conferment to those who are willing to work hard. Thus, worshipping there aims at reinforcing work enthusiasm, so work is yajna (religious service).
Work as a religious service is working professionally. Do not do it on the contrary, while they are absorbed in venerating God they forget to take their task. That’s why there is Svagina Temple in Bali. Should there be a grandiose religious ceremony, at Svagina Temple often holds sermons to motivate employees in implementing their profession. In the sermon, every employee is given the opportunity to convey his grudges on good and bad experience as an employee in the office. At Svaginga Temple, they have a space to maintain and care for their mental life in order to be ever fresh and filled with light in performing their tasks. In essence, Svagina Temple performs the function of enhancing a harmonious relationship between human and his God. At this temple, every employee is expected to be able to empower his devotional potential to God to harmonize the relationship to his fellows and nature environment. (BTN/Kt. Wiana)