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.