Balinese Hinduism — Temple Ceremonies, Cremation & the Spiritual Life of Bali

Balinese Hinduism (Agama Hindu Dharma — the unique form of Hinduism practiced on Bali, a synthesis of Hindu, Buddhist, and indigenous Balinese animist beliefs brought to Bali from Java in the 14th-15th centuries as the Hindu Majapahit Empire declined and its court fled to Bali) is the defining characteristic of Balinese culture and the primary reason that Bali's culture appears so distinct from the rest of Indonesia (which is approximately 87% Muslim).