Satya Dharma Temple Explained

Building Name:Vihara Satya Dharma
Building Type:Chinese temple
Architectural Style:Chinese style
Cost:3-4 Billions Rupiah[1] [2]
Location: Benoa, South Kuta, Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Address:Pelabuhan Benoa Street 108, Benoa, Bali
Start Date:2006
Completion Date:2012
Inauguration Date:Wednesday, August 15th 2012
Other Dimensions:Building 800 m2
Area 8200 m2
Floor Count:1 floor

Vihara Satya Dharma is a modern Chinese temple at Benoa Port, Bali. It is a temple of the Three teachings ("Tridharma") of Chinese folk religion, i.e. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Furthermore, like the other Chinese temples in Bali, this temple also has an altar in its outdoor yard dedicated to Gods of Balinese Hinduism.[1]

The main deity of this temple is Tian Shang Sheng Mu, the Goddess who can calm the sea and ensure the safety of those travelling across the seas. As a temple which is built in the international port area, this temple worships the Deities of travel safety, sailing, and business. This is the first Chinese temple in Benoa Port thus is expected to be a worship place for the sailors from various countries and also as a tourist attraction.[2]

Naming

"Satya Dharma" (Sanskrit) means "True Law". "Vihara" is a Sanskrit term traditionally used for Buddhist temples in Southeast Asia, but it is also used occasionally for Chinese temples, otherwise called klenteng, since the New Order dispositions. Even though Confucianism has recently been accepted as a legal religion in Indonesia, many new Chinese temples in Bali still use the term "vihara" in their names.

"Vihara Satya Dharma" is translated in Chinese characters as 宮安保, from the right to the left readable as bǎo ān gōng. 保 (bǎo) means "to protect" while 安 (ān) means "content, quiet, peace", thus 安保 (ānbǎo) means "to maintain security". The 宮 (gōng) character means "temple, palace". Literally, Bao An Gong means the "Temple to Maintain Security".[3] It is a common term for any Chinese temples in Indonesia which intends the safety of its followers, especially in the spiritual meaning.

History

Vihara Satya Dharma is located at the north end of Benoa Port Highway. The temple foundation got the construction fund from the donation of worshippers from Indonesia especially Bali, even from Japanese, Taiwanese and Thai sailors. The construction lasted for 6 years until it was inaugurated in 2012. The inauguration celebration was held on 22 August 2012 and was attended by the Deputy Governor of Bali, i.e. AA Ngurah Puspayoga.[1] [2]

Altars

NumberSing Bing (Deity)LocationInformation
Thian KongTerrace
01Chie Ong Ya, Na Cha, Siong Ti KongThe main front room (middle room)Middle altar
02Kwan KongThe main front room (middle room)Left altar
03Ma ChoThe main front room (middle room)Right altar
Ngo Yia Ciong KunRight wing
01Kwan Im Put CoThe main back room (middle room)Middle altar
02The main back room (middle room)Left altar
03The main back room (middle room)Right altar
04-05Toa Ya Pe dan Ji Ya PeThe main back room (middle room)Flank Seng Ong Ya
01Toa Pe KongLeft wing back roomMiddle altar
02Te Con Ong Po SatLeft wing back roomLeft altar
03Cin Cui Co SeLeft wing back roomRight altar
04Tei Ki CoLeft wing back roomUnder Te Con Ong Po Sat
05Pei Ho Ciong KunLeft wing back roomUnder Cin Cui Co Se
01Cu Seng Nian NianRight wing back roomMiddle altar
02Ong Ya KongRight wing back roomLeft altar
03Niu Niu (女娘娘)Right wing back roomRight altar
Front yardUnder the flags

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: WAGUB PUSPAYOGA RESMIKAN VIHARA SATYA DHARMA. Pemerintah Provinsi Bali . 23 August 1012. 23 October 2015. 6 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160306013102/http://www.baliprov.go.id/WAGUB-PUSPAYOGA-RESMIKAN-VIHARA-SATYA-DHARMA.
  2. News: Warga Tionghoa Bali Resmikan Vihara Satya Dharma. gds . nrl. 23 Aug 2012. 23 October 2015.
  3. MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary . MDBG Chinese Dictionary. 23 October 2015 .