Brahma Wihara Arama – Dharma the Bali way!!!!
13th July – today we drove back along the coast towards Seririt to visit the Buddhist temple. I have seen various temples around Asia and they all have a different slant on the way they look depending on what the cultural influence are. For example in Penang, Malaysia most have a Chinese theme with lots of dragons and bright colours.
{w:600;h:300}Brahma Wihara-Arama Temple, near Banjar
Map of Wihara Arama Temple near Banjar
This temple is probably the most serene and peaceful I have been too as it is set back in amongst the hills and rice terraces. The views from the temple are really lovely, it is possible to see the sea and parts of Lovina on one side and on the other the mountains in the distance.
Another aspect that made it so special are the gardens. I don’t think I have ever visited a temple that has been set in such beautiful gardens. We wondered along tree lined pathways and found secret little nooks set back hidden amongst the trees, little havens set aside for lone meditation and prayer.
The most breathtaking and hidden surprise was up a lone grey concrete stairway that didn’t look as though it lead any where important! My nosy nature meant I couldn’t resist taking a look… just in case!! We came upon another temple building that was really something special, surrounded by different levels with various depictions of Buddha – around the bottom level was a channel that held water in which grew beautiful Lilies and hidden beneath their pads were numerous fish – including the largest golden Carp I have ever seen.
It is not often that I can say that I have been touched by the spirituality of a place – maybe touched by natural beauty – certainly never by a building that has such a significant religious influence!!! I would love to go back and visit the temple again. I can truly appreciate why a person would want to stay there for a while. I don’t know how to meditate but I am sure that surrounded by such tranquil beauty it would not be to hard to learn.
We stopped to have lunch at one of the local warungs just outside the temple – as is so often the case in Indonesia we met a really lovely lady who cooked us our fresh lunch. Gavin and I both had spicy Mie Gorang (fried noodles) and Tehya had Nasi (white rice) with garlic vegetables and omelette. The meal cost us 45.000IR about £2.30 – it also included fresh orange juice for Tehya and Bali coffee for us. We drove back to the Rini feeling pleased with our afternoon of adventure and looked forward to the next days adventure at the holy hot springs (Air Panas).
Click here to see some of our pictures of Wihara Arama Temple Bali
Categories: Indonesia
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