Religion & Temples

1. Dados titiang ngranjing ka pura?

   May I enter the temple?

   Usage

   Asking before entering whether visitors may go in; what is open differs by temple.

   Grammar Note

   Ngranjing is glossed enter, usually a temple or school. The sentence is built from verified words.

2. Titiang meled mabakti

   I would like to pray

   Usage

   Saying you want to join in worship.

   Grammar Note

   Mabakti is the ma- form of bakti, glossed worship or pray; colloquially mebakti.

3. Dados titiang nyewa kamben lan selendang?

   Can I rent a sarong and sash?

   Usage

   Temples require a waist cloth (kamben) and sash (selendang); some rent them at the entrance.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary says wearing a selendang or saput is a must when entering a temple and praying. Lan means and. The sentence is built from verified words.

4. Sampunang ngelangkahin canang

   Please do not step over the offerings

   Usage

   Local etiquette: do not step on or over offerings placed on the ground.

   Grammar Note

   Sampunang is the alus prohibition. Ngelangkahin is glossed step over. Ninjak means kick in the dictionary, so it is not used for stepping on.

5. Titiang cuntaka

   I am ritually unclean (I cannot enter the temple)

   Usage

   Explains at the gate that custom bars you from the temple, for example during mourning or menstruation.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary explains cuntaka as a state, for example after a death or during menstruation, in which one may not go to a temple or take part in rites. Sebel is a similar word.

6. Napi wastan pura puniki?

   What is the name of this temple?

   Usage

   Asking the name of a temple. Wastan means name.

   Grammar Note

   Wastan is the same word as in Wastan titiang (my name is). The sentence is built from verified words.

7. Odalan ring pura puniki rahina napi?

   On which day is this temple's festival?

   Usage

   Asking the date of the temple festival; it follows the Balinese calendars, so the date shifts yearly.

   Grammar Note

   Odalan is the anniversary festival of a temple, set by the 210-day Pawukon or the lunar Saka calendar. The sentence is built from verified words.

8. Titiang meled ningalin odalan

   I would like to watch a temple festival

   Usage

   Expressing interest in watching a festival; dress and behave respectfully.

   Grammar Note

   Ningalin means see. The sentence is built from verified words.

9. Titiang nunas tirta

   I would like to receive holy water

   Usage

   Used when receiving holy water from the priest at the end of worship. Nunas is the humble verb for receiving.

   Grammar Note

   Nunas is alus sor, the humbling verb for your own side, never for the other person. Tirta is holy water used in ceremonies.

10. Titiang nunas bija

    I would like to receive bija (rice grains)

    Usage

    After the holy water, rice grains (bija) are placed on the forehead; this is how to ask for them.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary describes bija as damp white rice put on the forehead after prayer.

11. Dumogi rahayu

    May you be well and safe

    Usage

    A blessing at parting or before a journey.

    Grammar Note

    Dumogi is glossed as a word of prayer or hope. Rahayu means well-being; the two form a set blessing.

12. Pura

    Pura (Hindu temple)

    Usage

    The word for a temple on signs and in conversation.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary says each village has three temples: pura dalem, pura desa and pura puseh.

13. Canang

    Canang (small offering)

    Usage

    The small offerings on pavements and shopfronts; do not step on them.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary describes a generally square offering; canang sari holds flowers, rice and porosan.

14. Banten

    Banten (offering)

    Usage

    The general word for offerings to the gods; not the Java province named Banten.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary describes it as an offering of coconut, fruit and flowers.

15. Kamben

    Kamben (waist cloth)

    Usage

    The cloth wrapped at the waist to enter a temple, worn by men and women.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword is kamben with kamen as a synonym. Men wrap counterclockwise, women clockwise.

16. Selendang

    Selendang (sash)

    Usage

    The narrow cloth worn at the waist for temples.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary says a selendang or saput is a must when entering a temple and praying.

17. Udeng

    Udeng (men's head cloth)

    Usage

    The head cloth men wear at temples.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary describes it as a head cloth worn by men.

18. Pemangku

    Pemangku (temple priest)

    Usage

    The priest who performs rites at a temple and gives the holy water.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword is pamangku, with mangku as a shorter form of the same word.

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