THE MEANING OF SACRED LAND FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF TRI HITA KARANA: A STUDY OF CULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Abstract

In Balinese culture, land is not merely perceived as a physical space but as a living entity that embodies spiritual, social, and ecological dimensions. For Hindu Balinese communities, land represents pancer jagat, a cosmological center that links humans with nature and the divine. This study aims to explore the meaning of sacred land through the lens of Tri Hita Karana, a philosophical framework that emphasizes harmony between humans and God (parhyangan), humans and other humans (pawongan), and humans and the natural environment (palemahan). Employing an interpretive qualitative approach within a cultural communication paradigm, data were gathered through in-depth interviews with customary leaders and spiritual practitioners, as well as observations at sites considered sacred, including pura kahyangan jagat, cremation grounds, and family courtyards (natah). A symbolic–hermeneutic analysis was applied to interpret signs, rituals, and communicative practices that construct the sacrality of land in everyday life. The findings reveal that sacred land functions as a spiritual mediator between humans and cosmic forces, while simultaneously serving as an ecological communication space that reinforces collective responsibility to maintain environmental balance. Rituals such as piodalan, land purification ceremonies, and the spatial arrangement of sacred courtyards demonstrate how the values of Tri Hita Karana are embodied and transmitted. Thus, the meaning of sacred land reflects not only religious belief but also a cultural communication system that sustains spiritual, social, and ecological harmony in Balinese life