Did Kwee Hoen ever imagine his legacy would endure for centuries? Here, before you, stands Vihara Dharma Bakti. It’s Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple, a testament to enduring faith. Kwee Hoen, a Chinese lieutenant, originally built this sacred space in 1650. Imagine the scene back then, a small temple dedicated to Guanyin. It was originally known as the Guanyin Pavilion.
Vihara Dharma Bakti has weathered storms, both literal and figurative. In 1740, a dark chapter unfolded. The temple was destroyed during the Chinese massacre orchestrated by the Dutch. But like a phoenix from ashes, it rose again. In 1755, Chinese captain Oei Tjhie spearheaded its restoration. The temple was renamed Kim Tek Le, later translated to Vihara Dharma Bakti in Bahasa Indonesia. The temple stands on Jalan Kemenangan III, behind Jalan Gajah Mada, occupying a significant 3000 square meters.
Visualize the temple during festivals. Especially on the first and fifteenth day of the new moon, it bustles with activity. Chinese New Year celebrations paint the scene with vibrant colors and joyous energy. Approaching the main temple, you would pass three smaller temples. Each one is adorned in red, a color symbolizing good fortune. Red lanterns sway overhead, casting a warm glow. Inside, altars honor various deities.
Step into the main temple itself. The air is thick with the scent of burning incense, known as Hio. The prayer hall, within the Yin De Yuan temple, features four red pillars that hold up a double ceiling. This ceiling is crowned by a delicate water lily bud. Rows of burning candles flicker, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. Their glow intensifies when sunlight streams in, illuminating the space with an ethereal aura. Bronze statues of Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist deities line the temple. This reflects its adherence to the Mahayana Buddhist faith. Intricate carvings, elegant calligraphy, and ancient paintings adorn the walls. These depictions of dragons and swallows showcase the artistic mastery of a bygone era. Vihara Dharma Bakti stands as a living testament to resilience and faith. It continues to serve as a spiritual anchor for the community.