PHDI Bali to Submit Nyepi Proposals at Jakarta Mahasabha

Jakarta — The Mahasabha XIII of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) begins on Oct. 8, and PHDI Bali will submit proposals on strengthening the Nyepi bhisama and updating guidance for sulinggih, the organization’s religious leaders.

The four-day national forum is scheduled to run through Oct. 11, 2026, in Jakarta. PHDI Bali Chairman I Nyoman Kenak said the delegation had gathered input from Hindu community members through a series of forums before the meeting.

Why the proposals matter to Bali’s Hindu community

A bhisama is religious guidance issued within the PHDI system. The Bali delegation’s proposal would strengthen the guidance concerning Nyepi, including its scriptural or religious foundation. The delegation also plans to bring an update to Bhisama No. 4 of 2005, which sets out guidance for sulinggih.

For foreign residents and visitors, the proposals are an internal religious matter rather than a new immigration or tourism rule. They may nevertheless shape how Nyepi is explained and observed in Bali if the national organization later adopts or issues updated guidance. The reports do not state that any change to visitor obligations has been approved.

Preparation for the Mahasabha began with a focus-group discussion in Bali on Aug. 8, 2026. PHDI Bali formed a team through an official decision to collect and consolidate community input for submission to the national forum.

The Mahasabha is also expected to bring together PHDI representatives from across Indonesia. Reports state that all 35 provincial PHDI organizations had confirmed participation, while another report said 254 of 303 district and city PHDI organizations had registered.

Sources

• Tribun Bali — Indonesian regional news report
• RRI — Indonesian public radio news report