A message from Bali

The following is a message from Parum Samigita which is the 'Think Tank' for the Banjars (Village Councils) of the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak areas of Bali. It comes from the heart of the Balinese people at ground zero in Kuta. It is a message of love and brotherhood and expresses the message which they wish to send to the world.

The speech was delivered in English by Asana Viebeke L on Friday, October 25th at a press conference for the Indonesian media.

Now We Move Forward! Sekarang Kita Maju!
25th October 2002
Asana Viebeke L

We Balinese have an essential concept of balance. It's the Tri Hita Karana; a concept of harmonious balance. The balance between god and humanity; humanity with itself and humanity with the environment. This places us all in a universe of common understanding. It is not only nuclear bombs which have fallout.  It is our job to minimize this fallout for our people and our guests from around the world. Who did this- It's not such an important question for us to discuss. Why this happened - maybe this is more worthy of thought. What can we do to create beauty from this tragedy and come to an understanding where nobody feels the need to make such a statement again-

This is important. This is the basis from which we can embrace everyone as a brother; everyone as a sister. It is a period of uncertainty. It is a period of change. It is also an opportunity for us to move together into a better future. A future where we embrace all of humanity in the knowledge that we all look and smell the same when we are burnt.  Victims of this tragedy are from all over the world. The past is not significant. It is the future which is important. This is the time to bring our values, our empathy, to society and the world at large.

To care. To love. The modern world brings to many of us the ability to rise above the core need for survival. Most people in the developed world no longer need to struggle to simply stay alive. It is our duty to strive to improve our quality of life. We want to return to our lives. Please help us realize this wish. Why seek retribution from people who are acting as they see fit- These people are misguided from our point of view. Obviously, from theirs, they feel justified and angry enough to make such a brutal statement. We would like to send a message to the world - Embrace this is understanding between our brothers and lets seek a peaceful answer to the problems which bring us to such tragedy. We embrace all the beliefs, hopes and dreams of all the people in the world with Love.
Do not bring malice to our world. 

What has happened has happened. Stop talking about the theories of who did this and why. It does not serve the spirit of our people. Words of hate will not rebuild our shops and houses. They will not heal damaged skin. They will not bring back our dead. Help us to create beauty out of this tragedy. Our community is bruised and hurting. Our spirit can never be broken. Everybody in the world is of one principle - brotherhood. Tat Wam Asi - You are me and I am you. We have a concept in Bali, Ruwa Bhineda, a balance between good and bad. Without bad there can be no good. The bad is the 'sibling' of the Good. Embrace this concept and we can move forward into a better world. There is Sekala / Nisikala - the underworld forever in darkness merging with our world in the light. You love your husband and wife but sometimes you fight. Fear arises and shows its opposition to love. This is normal. This is a natural, essential part of life. These are the concepts by which we, as Balinese, live our lives.

Please,we beg you, talk only of the good which can come of this. Talk of how we can reconcile our 'apparent' differences. Talk of how we can bring sympathy and love into everybody's lives. The overwhelming scenes of love and compassion at Sanglah Hospital show us the way forward into the future. If we hate our brothers and sisters we are lost in Kali Yuga. If we can love all of ou Tags