Bali, which is predominantly Hindu, always has interesting traditions known. One of them is Ngaben Ceremony, which is part of the series of Pitra Yadnya ceremony.
Ngaben is generally defined as a cremation ceremony, but from the origin of etymology it can be said to be inappropriate, because there is a tradition of cremation that is not through the burning of dead bodies. Ngaben actually comes from the word beya means cost or provision, said beya in the active sentence (do the job) become meyanin. The word meyanin has become the standard language to mention the ceremony of sawa wadhana. May also be called Ngabeyain. The word is then pronounced short, becomes a cremation.
Broadly speaking Ngaben is to process the return of the Panca Mahabhuta in this great realm and accompany Atma (Spirit) to Pitra realm by breaking his attachment to the earthly body. By deciding the love of Atma (Spirit) with his world, He will be able to return to nature, namely nature Pitra. Then the purpose of the Ngaben ceremony is that the ragha sarira (body / body) can quickly return to its origin, the Panca Maha Bhuta in nature and Atma can survive to go to nature pitra.
There is a book entitled "108 Pearl Veda" The publication of 2001, it fits on page 107, is explicitly quoted from: Yajurveda: 40-15. In the hill it is mentioned that;
- mankind, your body built by the five mahabhans eventually becomes ash and atmanya will get moksa.
- Therefore, remember the name of God, namely AUM, remember the name of God AUM, and remember your doan.
So in the holy book of vedas samhita, in this factor the yajurveda book is written that every person (Hindu) who dies his corpse must be built to ash in order to attain moksa atmanya. But whether the Ngaben ceremony can directly reach the heaven aka moksa? If we think of it that's not necessarily. Can be seen in the Quotation of Yajurveda above on the latest sentence. "Remember your doings" certainly when we have died we will be accountable for our conduct during the fate. Is it worth the alias to reach heaven or moksa.
Peak Ngaben traditional ceremony is the procession of burning the whole structure of yaknik Lembu or this monastery along with the corpse. Ngaben procession usually takes a long time. For those who still have a high caste, this ritual can be done for 3 days. However, for low-caste families, the corpse should be buried first and then done Ngaben.
Ngaben ceremony in Bali is usually done on a large scale like a party and cost a lot. Therefore, not a few people who perform Ngaben ceremony in a long time interval after death. Currently, the Hindu community in Bali many who perform Ngaben ceremony in bulk to mengemat cost. So the bodies of the deceased are buried for a while while waiting for sufficient costs. However, for families who can afford, Ngaben traditional ceremony can be done as soon as possible.