Temple networks

Sociologically, a temple ties its congregation to a particular sacred space, and temple networks interrelate different sacred spaces, thus facilitating contacts between the respective congregations for varied ends. As we shall see, such a network might be a series of ancestor temples or merely different sorts of local temples whose mystic connections are described in legends or in religious documents stored in the temples.

Any Balinese temple- can be read according to literate Hindu theology or according to folk magical beliefs.' But there is an inevitable sociopolitical dimension as well. To appreciate this aspect of all Balinese temples, we can consider a few shrines and sacred pedestals in the ancestor temples of the social group we discussed in Chapter 4. We recall that this group had adopted many high-caste patterns, but its temple network involves commoner groups and ordinary village-areas and irrigation societies in widespread locales. Its particular monuments include the following.

Two pedestals (pelinggih) enable the group to propitiate some spirits at distant temples, purportedly founded by its ancestors on their migration out of eastern Bali. The group still maintains shrines there and enjoys friendly relations with the local commoner groups that share them. Such distant shrines are known as pesimpingan.

One monument is reserved for visitations by the spirit of the raja who was their principal benefactor. Another marker commemorates relations with a lesser royal