Hello everyone, last February, I took part in a walking tour with the Jakarta Good Guide on the Jacatraweg route. On this route, I visited a monastery called Vihara Khema with another name Vihara Tjouw Soe Kong. This monastery is located on Jalan Pecah Kulit (Boken Skin), North Jakarta. During Covid, this place became a vaccine center for residents.
I want to tell you about the founding of this place. This place was founded in late 1800. I don't know the exact year. Like other monasteries, this monastery has Chinese and Indonesian-style architecture. There is a dominance of red and gold, these two colors symbolize luck and happiness.
On the roof of this place, there is a dragon. Almost every monastery or temple has this sign. The main hall is occupied by the Sakyamuni Buddha which is made of gold and is up to 3 meters high and contains other gods or goddesses. Oh yes, there is also a prayer room, dharma room, and others. For the prayer room, of course, I think this is the main room for praying.
Then, the dharma room is used for meditation. Last Chinese New Year, this place celebrated too. there are lion dances and lanterns. The thing that amazes me about this place is the beautiful architectural buildings. Oh yes, just like other monasteries, there is a Ciam Si prophecy. I always try this prediction when I go through a breakup. Very funny.
On the roof of this building, it is shaped like a pyramid decorated with two very sacred animals. It can also be considered a traditional Chinese symbol, namely the dragon and phoenix. These two animals are also found in several motifs in this place. Apart from these two animals, there are terarai flowers which strengthen the Chinese ornamentation of this place.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. In this place, there is also a garden. Not all monasteries have gardens. One more thing I need to emphasize, this monastery is the oldest monastery in Jakarta. However, Vihara Dharma Bhakti is still the oldest monastery in Indonesia. I want to continue the story about the colors of places. There is a blue color that is quite striking. But, I didn't ask why I used blue.
I want to tell you about some interesting object rooms in this place. The main gate of this place uses granite carved with dragons. The ornaments of this place are mostly about dragons. This monastery also has a stupa. Do you know stupas? The stupa is a symbol of Buddha and his teachings.
This monastery contains many stories about the history and culture of the Chinese people in Indonesia. but, the story isn't much. very limited. What do you think? are you interested? see you in the next story. Bye
Nurdiani Latifah
My name is Nurdiani Latifah. I live in Jakarta – Indonesia, and after 25 years I live in Bandung. I am a media staff at an NGO in Indonesia. I have worked in this institution for almost 2 years on issues of women and peace. I have been a journalist in Bandung for 3 years.
If you like his content, don't forget to upvote and leave a comment to show some love. You can also reblog if you want to. Also, don't forget to follow him to be updated with his latest posts.
Congratulations, your post has been added to Pinmapple! 🎉🥳🍍
Did you know you have your own profile map?
And every post has their own map too!
Want to have your post on the map too?
thank you