The Influence of Majapahit Architectural Art and Iconography on Hindu Religious Legacy in Bali
摘要
This article explores how the arrival and subsequent influence of the Majapahit Kingdom significantly impacted Balinese Hindu religious practices, particularly through architecture and iconography. Drawing evidence from historical manuscripts like Nāgarakrětāgama and archaeological remains, it highlights how Balinese temples (prasada) adopted slender, multi-tiered forms and specific decorative motifs - such as the Surya Majapahit and the kãla with one eye - mirroring East Javanese temple styles of the Majapahit era. These architectural adaptations reflect not only stylistic changes but also the integration of religious concepts, especially the Śiva-Buddha teachings introduced and supported during Majapahit rule. Iconographic elements, including the depiction of semi-divine heroes like Bhima and Garuda, further demonstrate the cultural continuity and transmission of spiritual ideals from Majapahit to Bali. Through these artistic and religious borrowings, Balinese Hinduism’s ritual practices and philosophical understandings evolved, revealing how foreign influences were locally interpreted and sustained within Bali’s Hindu religious heritage.