Intergenerational Dharma Negotiation and Hindu Ethical Identity Reconstruction in Rapidly Transforming Social Environments

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FORMOSA NEWS - Denpasar - How Balinese Hindus Negotiate Traditions and Preserve Ethical Identity in Modern Society. How do religious traditions survive rapid modernization without losing their core principles? A study published in August 2026 by researchers I Made Wiguna Yasa, I Wayan Darna, and Luh Dewi Pusparini from Universitas Negeri Hindu I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa in Indonesia reveals that Balinese Hindu communities preserve their ethical identity through continuous intergenerational negotiation. Rather than rigidly reproducing old practices or abandoning heritage, younger and older generations collaborate to adapt the ancient concept of Dharma—the ethical framework guiding moral conduct and social responsibility—to fit contemporary life. The findings explain how modern societies can sustain deep cultural roots while embracing technological and social change.

The Challenge of Modernization to Heritage Traditions
Rapid social transformation, urbanization, digital communication, and global tourism have fundamentally altered daily life in traditional communities, including those in Bali, Indonesia. As younger generations gain exposure to diverse global worldviews through digital media and modern career paths, traditional religious obligations often conflict with busy schedules, higher education, and modern employment demands. This dynamic frequently creates a perceived divide between older generations, who emphasize inherited customs, and younger generations, who seek practical meaning in their daily routines. Understanding how religious and ethical systems evolve under these modern pressures is vital for maintaining social cohesion, family harmony, and cultural preservation in developing economies.

How the Study Analyzed Generational Perspectives
The researchers used a qualitative constructivist grounded theory approach to examine how religious values are transmitted, interpreted, and adapted across different age groups. The team conducted in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, non-participant observations, and document analyses involving 28 participants in Bali. The study group represented four key demographics:

• Younger Generation: 10 participants aged 18 to 30 years.
  
• Adult Generation: 8 participants aged 31 to 59 years.
  
• Older Generation: 6 participants aged 60 years and above.
  
• Community Leaders: 4 religious and customary authority figures.
  

Using systematic data coding and software-assisted qualitative analysis, the researchers compared viewpoints across age groups to map out the exact social process of cultural continuity.

Key Findings: Three Pillars of Ethical Continuity
The study identified three interconnected mechanisms through which Balinese Hindus reconstruct their ethical identity:

• Selective Retention: Communities distinguish fundamental ethical values—such as honesty, personal responsibility, respect for elders, and social concern—from context-dependent ritual practices. Core moral values are preserved intact, providing a stable foundation even as outer social conditions change.
  
• Reinterpretation: Younger generations actively shift from practice-oriented obedience toward reflective ethical interpretation. Instead of performing rituals purely out of inherited obligation, younger Hindus seek to understand the underlying moral purpose of Dharma and apply those values directly to their daily work, social conduct, and personal decision-making.
  
• Adaptation: Practical expressions of religious duties are adjusted to fit modern schedules and mobility. When employment or university commitments prevent full participation in elaborate traditional ceremonies, individuals maintain their commitment by fulfilling ethical duties in alternative, practical ways recognized by community elders.
  

Through these mechanisms, intergenerational dialogue allows religious continuity to coexist with interpretive flexibility, preventing cultural fragmentation.

Real-World Impact and Societal Implications
These findings offer practical pathways for educational institutions, family structures, policymakers, and religious leaders navigating rapid cultural change. By demonstrating that questioning and adapting inherited practices is a healthy mechanism of cultural survival rather than a decline in faith, community leaders can foster supportive spaces for dialogue. Religious education programs can shift focus from rigid prescriptive mandates toward explaining the moral and philosophical foundations of traditions. Furthermore, workplace policies and civic organizations can better integrate traditional cultural obligations with modern productivity demands by recognizing adapted expressions of ethical responsibility.

Author Profiles
I Made Wiguna Yasa, M.Pd.: Corresponding author and researcher at Universitas Negeri Hindu I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, specializing in Hindu religious education and sociology of religion
Dr. I Wayan Darna: Academic researcher at Universitas Negeri Hindu I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, focusing on customary law, community ethics, and cultural dynamics
Luh Dewi Pusparini, M.Pd.: Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Negeri Hindu I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa, expert in religious pedagogy and intergenerational studies.

Source
I Made Wiguna Yasa, I Wayan Darna, Luh Dewi Pusparini. Intergenerational Dharma Negotiation and Hindu Ethical Identity Reconstruction in Rapidly Transforming Social Environments. Indonesian Journal of Christian Education and Theology (IJCET). Vol. 5, No. 3, Agustus 2026 (Hal. 341–354)
DOI / URL: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijcet.v5i3.38
URL: https://journalijcet.my.id/index.php/ijce/Index