- Address: Jalan Kemenangan III Petak Sembilan No. 19, RT.03 / RW.02, Glodok, Tamansari
- Working hours: daily from 5:00 to 19:00
- Admission: free
Jing-Yuan was built in 1650 by order of the Chinese lieutenant Qui-Hohen. It is the oldest surviving temple in Jakarta . It is located in the center of Chlobok in the northern part of the capital. Representatives of three religions go here to worship:
- Confucianism;
- Buddhism;
- Taoism.
History of the Temple of Jing-Yuan
The original temple building in 1650 was named in honor of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Unchanged, the building lasted about 100 years, and then was destroyed in 1740 during the infamous massacre in Batavia, in which many Chinese suffered.
After 15 years, Chinese captain Oi Tinye undertakes to restore the temple and gives him the name Jing-Yuan, which in translation means golden wisdom. Since 1755, the temple is run by the Chinese organization Koang Kong, established by the Dutch governor of the East India Company to establish relations with the trading partner.
With the departure of Dutch Dutch, Koang Kong ceased to exist, and all Chinese churches , including Jinge-Yuan, were transferred to the Indonesian organization Devi. She gave the temple a new Buddhist name Vihara Dharma Bhakti, which means "selfless service."
Already in our time, in 2015, the Jing-Yuan Temple was seriously damaged by a fire caused by inaccurate handling of candles. As a result, the famous statues and the roof with silvery dragons suffered greatly. The authorities of Jakarta were able to quickly restore the building itself and its interiors.
The external and internal beauty of the Jing-Yuan Temple
The temple complex is beautiful both from the inside and outside. A small red building is protected by two silver dragons sitting on the roof. Mythical snakes attract the attention of both pilgrims and tourists with their grace and grace.
Inside the temple there is an interesting collection of 40 Buddha statues, drums, which are beaten on special occasions, and large bells. If you take advice from local residents and come here in the morning from 9 to 10 o'clock, you will see a unique spectacle: how the rays of the sun illuminate the misty veil inside the temple. This effect creates a feeling of unreality and mysticism of this place.
Holidays and pilgrimages in the Temple of Jing-Yuan
The Chinese living in Jakarta honor their main temple and spend many festivals and festivals here . One of the most spectacular, which is definitely worth a visit - a festival of lanterns. It is held on the last night of the celebration of the Chinese New Year. On this day the monastery is decorated with many small light sources, and local residents take them in their hands and go out into the street, carrying lanterns around the temple, along the streets, lighting everything around. This is a very beautiful and entertaining holiday.
Another interesting festival, held in Jing-Yuan - is a holiday of ghosts. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month, when, according to beliefs, the earth spirits are released and are hoping to gain freedom. At the feast they are prepared for offerings and try to appease so that they do not harm the living.
In this temple in its time were buried the remains of the great Taoist and revered Buddhist monks, to whom today the pilgrimage of representatives of different religions does not stop. Buddhists, Confucians and Taoists come here to worship the invisibly present saint. The sarcophagi with remains are kept away from visitors in the depths of the temple, and it is not possible to see them to ordinary tourists.
How to get to the Jing-Yuan Temple?
The Jing-Yuan Temple is located in the north of Jakarta , close to the city center and from many other attractions of Indonesia . You can get here by taxi in 10-15 minutes or by buses P22, AC33, BT01. The fare is $ 0.25. The nearest stop is Opposite Plaza Orion.