Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/280

CHAPTER IL RELIGION OF BALI. The Hindu Religion at present nearly confined to the Island of Bali — The National Religion of Bali is the Worship of Sixva, and a small number of Buddhists only exist. — The Siwais, as in Hindustan^ divided into four great Casts, — The Brahmins and Higher Classes genuine Hindus, but the Loiuer Orders left to practise their local superstitions. — The Brahmins iiitrusted voith the Administi-atioji of Justice. — Few Prejudices on the subject of Diet^ — No Religious Mendicants, and no practice of pairiful Austerities. — Sa- erifice of the Widow on the Funeral Pile of her Husband, and* Immolation if Slaves and Domestics tcith deceased Princes. — Interesting Quotation fro?n a Dutch Narrative. — Quotation from the Voyage of Cavendish, — Bodies of the Dead Burned. — Tvoo great Religious Festivals Bali- nese have adopted the Indian Era and Kalender, — List of their Religious Books. — The Worship of Sivoa when intro- duced. — Existence of Hinduism in Bali after the conversion of the other Civilized Tribes accounted for. With the partial exception of a few moun- taineers in the eastern end of Java, the Hindu religion, as far as I know, has been banished from every country of the Archipelago, except the island of Bali, where it is at present near- ly the only form of worship. I visited this is-