Revitalizing Hindu Values in the Nyepi Tradition: A Strategy for Cultural and Spiritual Resilience Amidst the Global Crisis

Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha, Singaraja, Indonesia

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Abstract

Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu celebration of the Saka New Year, extends beyond ritual observance to embody profound philosophical, theological, and sociocultural dimensions. In the face of global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and spiritual degradation, Nyepi emerges as both a reflective practice and a strategy for cultural and spiritual resilience. This study examines how core Hindu values—tapa, brata, yadnya, and moksha—are revitalized in response to contemporary crises. A qualitative approach was employed, using hermeneutic and phenomenological analysis supported by literature review, participant observation during the Nyepi cycle (Tawur Agung, Catur Brata Penyepian, and Ngembak Geni), and interviews with religious leaders, cultural practitioners, and community members. Findings reveal that Nyepi functions as a collective contemplative space fostering eco-spiritual consciousness. Practices of silence, fasting, and voluntary isolation act as resistance to consumerism and global noise, while reinforcing solidarity across communities. Revitalization of Hindu values is further expressed through digital platforms, environmental initiatives, and integration into educational curricula. The study concludes that Nyepi represents a spiritual-ecological model promoting harmony between humanity, nature, and transcendence, offering a Balinese Hindu public theology with global relevance.