Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

MORNING OFFERINGS

Hinduism is the main religion of the Balinese. Every morning, the women will make offerings in a tray containing little plates weaved from coconut palms and filled with fragrant chopped screw-pine leaves and colourful balsam flower petals together with lighted joss sticks.

The offerings can be bought in the markets with the palm leave plates already filled with flowers or the items can be bought separately and put together later.
This little girl has already learnt the art of making the plates by cutting and shaping the palm leaves with the large blade. She is so young yet she has learnt how to handle the large blade so carefully. When there is a need, kids grow up so quickly. Looking at her, I realise I am too protective with MartianGirl who has only recently started to chop and cut fruits and vegetables. And I am still wary when she handles the kitchen knife.
In the markets, the ladies arrange the many different coloured clower petals in the palm leaf trays for sale in the morning. The trays are quickly bought for the morning offerings.
The offerings can be made in specific prayer areas,
by the roads just next to their shoplots, homes or at the entrance of ther shops.
These offerings are carried out without fail every morning and the roads and streets are lined with palm leaf trays, flower petals and joss sticks.

Monday, April 20, 2009

A STUDENT'S PRAYER

Now I lay me
Down to study,
I pray the Lord I
Won't go nutty.

If I should fail to
Learn this stuff,
I pray the Lord
I will not flunk.

But if I do,
Don't pity me at all,
Just lay my bones
In the study hall.

Last minute revision on the stairs.
"I need to do this by myself."
" We need to chill."
"AHH..was that in the syallabus?"
"Help, explain that again."
"I am prepared."
"9 am...Jom..."
"Got to stay focussed."
Hand phones are not allowed into the examination hall.
Tell my Prof
I did my best,
Then pile my
Books upon my chest.

Now I lay me
Down to rest,
And pray I'll pass
Tomorrow's test.

If I should die before I wake
That's one less test I'll have to take.

Anonymous