Esoterisim in Bali between Tradition and Globality

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Yan Suarsana
• Subject Area: Religious Studies and Jewish Studies ; Protestant Theology
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 298972399

During the past decades, esoteric movements have set foot on the Indonesian island of Bali where they could merge with the traditional religious context. Since then, Balishamans, the guru Ratu Bagus and the local Yoga movement have gained international attention - significantly boosted by spiritual tourism. However, virtually no research on Esotericism in Bali has been done so far. The present project aims to fill this gap: By exploring the three movements mentioned, it seeks to give a complete overview of Esotericism in Bali - in terms of its history, structure, and content.The focus lies on a qualitative analysis of the various esoteric protagonists in Bali. Special attention is given to doctrines, practices, and the transformation process of Balinese Esotericism to make visible the amalgation of esoteric concepts with the traditional context of Bali. Furthermore, the structures of knowledge of the various esoteric adherents are to be characterized, to figure out how different biographical backgrounds can shape the conceptualization of Bali as a place of esoteric wisdom. This way, the conceptual fitting points can be revealed which made it possible for the several esoteric actors in Bali to unite their diverging fanbase to a single movement that can be identified as esoteric - by addressing concepts of global Esotericism along with the colonial idea of Bali as litte India and local visions of balineseness.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants