Three religions come together at house of worship in Bali

Three religions come together at house of worship in Bali

Text and photos by Alpha Savitri

Griya Kongco Dwipayana is a house of worship of Tri Dharma, a
religious sect incorporating Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism.
Not only can it boast a lion dance and unique architecture but it
also has a unique history tied to supernatural guidance.

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): If you happen to be in Denpasar and are
fond of visiting spiritual places, don't miss Griya Kongco
Dwipayana.

This house of worship has an imposing architectural design, a
blend of Chinese and Balinese Hindu elements -- a symbol of
interreligious tolerance in Indonesia. Here followers of
Hinduism, Buddhism and Confucianism perform their religious
services side by side.

A 900 square meter building located in Tanah Kilap on Jl. By
Pass Ngurah Rai, this house of worship has a grand appearance.
From its yard, you can choose one of three main gates to enter
the building, or enter through smaller.

The westernmost main gate has a uniquely Balinese design; it
is similar to the main gate in Balinese temples. The central main
gate is in the form of a dome enclosing a statue of Buddha,
commonly found in Buddhist places of worship. If you take the
easternmost main gate, you can appreciate the unique Chinese
architectural design.

The concept underlying a holy building for Hindu followers is
applied here. A Hindu building is made up of the main part (the
highest), the medium part (the medium level) and the
contemptuous part (the lowest level). In short, from the point
where you enter from the gate until you get to the actual place
of worship, you will have to walk up a series of steps.

The prayer house seems to be dominated by Chinese influence.
Festive colors like red, gold and pink are dominant in this
house. The Hindu buildings inside the park have also been
influenced by Chinese elements. The fence for the main gate,
painted blood red, lends prominence to the Hindu style design. A
red shawl is draped over the animal statues which are placed on
either side of the gate.

The prayer house for the followers of these three religions
extends from the north to the south. The northernmost part,
usually called Padmasana, is an open room. It is here that the
Hindus pray. Buddhists will pray in the central part of the
building, called Gedong Budha (Buddhist House). The northernmost
part is the largest. Called Gedong Kong Hu Cu (Confucius House),
it is here that Confucianists pray.

Every day this unique house of worship sees the arrival of
scores of followers of the three religions. On special days, for
example during the fifth full moon or on the occasion of the
birthday of the presiding deity, Ong Tae Jin, which is on the
ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese calendar, this place
is overcrowded. Followers of the three religions come here with
all their religious paraphernalia and follow their own rituals
without being disturbed by others doing their own prayers.

"As the years pass by, more religious followers are coming
here just to pray. They come not only from Denpasar and other
cities across Indonesia but also from Hong Kong, Taiwan and
China," said Ida Bagus Adnyana, manager of Dwipayana House of
Worship. He disclosed that as much as 40 percent of the fund
allocated for the construction of the house of worship had come
from people from Taiwan.

If you perform a religious service here, you will have a great
feeling of peace. Also, the complications of life will become
easier.

The construction of Griya Kongco Dwipayana began in 1990 and
was completed in 1997. The initial construction of this building
has a unique story. Ida Bagus Adnyana, now the manager of the
compound, received divine guidance in 1987 from Ong Tae Jin, an
immortal who, in his lifetime, discovered he was a royal
descendant. In about the 12th century, Ong Tae Jin traveled to
spread his spiritual belief throughout many regions. One day, he
was standing at the location where Griya Kongco stands today.
Here he became acquainted with the supernatural rulers of the
area, namely the Niang Btari.

Legend

Their friendship is legenddary. For many centuries people have
come to this place just to say a prayer. At that time, the place
where Griya Kongco now stands was still thick jungle. People keen
to meet Ong Tae Jin were ready to throw themselves onto the
thorny bushes there.

In his dream, Ong Tae Jin asked Ida Bagus Adnyana to set up a
prayer house for those who had prayed continuously for the sake
of Ong Tae Jin and Queen Btari Niang.

"I was doubtful at first whether I could carry out the plan to
build this prayer house. I used to think that the room I would be
able to build would be just 4 meters by 4 meters. Quite
unexpectedly, we were given a plot of land measuring 900 square
meters from the forestry ministry. Ong Tae Jin was right. I was
able to find the way to construct this house of worship," he
said.

Now Ida Bagus Adnyana can breathe a sigh of relief. The number
of people who like to pray at Griya Kongco Dwipayana is
increasing. They do not come only to pray but they also give
sizable donations to the house of service.

The development of the dragon dance and lion dance found
fertile ground in this house of worship. It is the only Tri
Dharma house of worship in Bali that is entrusted to foster the
lion dance art. Ida Bagus Adnyana said that the lion dance could
be developed only at this place because it was only here that a
sign from Sam Po Tae Jin had manifested, which was the main
prerequisite for the conservation of the dance. The dance usually
combines aesthetic and acrobatic movements.

In Chinese history, Sam Po Tae Jin was known as a heroic and
brave commander and also a roving ambassador. If he turned up in
a house of worship in whatever form, that house of worship could
foster the lion dance art.

Among Indonesian Confucianists, the name Sam Po Tae Jin is
better known as Sam Po Kong, a name very popular in Confucian
prayer houses in Central Java, he added.

At Griya Kongco Dwipayana, Ida Bagus Adnyana said, the
emergence of Sam Po Tae Jin was marked by the sudden discovery of
a wavy, double-bladed Javanese traditional dagger, in a pool
located somewhere in the yard of the house of worship. .... This
dagger, neglected for quite some time, had the inscription of Sam
Po Tae Jin on it.

The house of worship has its own lion dance group called
Mutiara Naga (Pearl of the Dragon). The group often performs in
many places. Its members come from different ethnic groups and
religions, including Christianity.