Lost in the vibrant streets of Glodok? Here stands Vihara Pak Shien Bio. It’s more than just Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple. It’s a living story etched in brick and incense.
Vihara Pak Shien Bio is also known as Jin De Yuan or Vihara Dharma Bhakti. This sacred space dates back to 1650. Chinese Lieutenant Kwee Hoen ordered its construction. Imagine Jakarta back then. It was a city finding its feet. Vihara Pak Shien Bio became a spiritual cornerstone.
But history has its dark chapters. In 1740, tragedy struck. A Chinese massacre led to the temple’s destruction. Yet, like a phoenix, it rose again. In 1755, Chinese Captain Oei Tjhie led the restoration. He renamed it Kim Tek Le, later Vihara Dharma Bhakti.
Today Vihara Pak Shien Bio covers 3000 square meters. It stands on Jalan Kemenangan III. Devotees flock here, especially during Chinese New Year. The air buzzes with prayers and hope.
Before you reach the main temple, smaller shrines greet you. Red lanterns sway. Auspicious colors surround you. Each section honors different deities.
Inside the main hall, incense fills the air. These are called Hio. Four red pillars support the double ceiling. It is crowned with a water lily bud. Rows of red candles flicker, creating a mesmerizing glow. Sunlight adds to the magic. Bronze statues represent Tao, Confucian, and Buddhist figures. This highlights the temple’s Buddhist Mahayana faith. Intricate carvings adorn the walls. Dragons and swallows showcase ancient artistry.
Once, this Vihara Pak Shien Bio was known as Kwan Im Teng. This Hokkien name meant Pavilion of Guanyin. It honored the deity Kwan Im. The name Kwan Im Teng even became the origin of the word klenteng. This became a general term for any Chinese place of worship.
After the Dutch colony ended, the Kong Koan dissolved. The Dewan Wihara Indonesia managed Chinese temples. They appointed a Lu-zhu or head censer. This person oversaw temple activities and fundraising.
In 1965, the DEWI recommended a name change. Kim Tek Ie became Vihara Dharma Bhakti. This nationalistic effort aimed to remove foreign-sounding names.
In 2015, disaster struck again. A fire damaged Vihara Dharma Bhakti. The ornamented roof frame was ruined. About 40 historic sculptures were lost. But the community rallied to rebuild.
Vihara Pak Shien Bio is more than bricks and statues. It is a place of festivals. The Zhong Yuan Festival fills the courtyard. Lantern Festival celebrations light up the night.
Vihara Pak Shien Bio stands as Jakarta’s oldest Chinese temple. It has survived massacres and fires. It embodies the spirit of Jakarta’s Chinese community. It also shows resilience. It showcases cultural richness. Take a moment to absorb its history. Let the incense fill your senses here at Vihara Pak Shien Bio.