Atmano Mokshartham Jagat-Hitaya cha. Those in Bali who are still committed to the spiritual values and cultural heritage of their ancestors consider this the quintessence of their belief. Iti Dharma: this is righteousness; this is religion.
When we say “it depends,” we do not normally explain the “what” of it. We do not find it necessary to do so, and people are too busy to bother. So we get away with a blank cheque; we can fill it in ourselves. It depends on whatever; it can even be on our mood.
In Bali, however, the “what” does matter. “It depends” does not stand on its own. “It depends” depends on desha, kala and patra.
I remember reading Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) when I was in junior high school: “East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet.” I must admit, I had, until then, neither seen much of East, nor of West. So I had no clear idea of what he was actually referring to.
Moksha – The Ultimate Freedom, Salvation or Liberation – is the fourth and the last purushartha, the four pillars holding our life structure. The first three has been discussed before, Dharma or Righteousness, Artha or Wealth and Kama or Passion.
To the people of this archipelago, of which Bali has always been an inseparable part, artha, “wealth” or “money” is not the end but the means to attain to total prosperity. And total prosperity is not just economic prosperity, but also social security. Above all, artha is something that gives meaning to one’s life.
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Along with dharma (right action), artha (social security), kama (basic comfort) and moksha or freedom – are commonly considered the four purushartha, the four most important pillars of human life’s structure.
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