On the grounds of Jin De Yuan, there were not only visitors but also local children playing around

Kids playing around in the precinct of Jin De Yuan — Kids playing around in Jin De Yuan

The front gate of the Jin De Yuan, a Chinese temple of Jakarta which I was going to visit, was busy. I could easily find it in the residential area. There were many worshippers and people who were trying to get some kind of alms from the visitors. Perhaps it was because the Chinese New Year was approaching. It is said that between 5,000 and 7,000 people visit here at Jin De Yuan during the Chinese New Year.

I walked into the precinct of the temple while watching a crowd at the gate. Then I saw a lot of people milling about inside. I could see some pious people coming here to pray before the Chinese New Year. And I also saw some local children playing in the unusually spacious grounds of the temple. Most of the visitors were praying quietly around the incense burner or in the main hall where the Goddess of Mercy is enshrined. On the other hand, the local children had no interest in such a place. They ran around in space and played around in a chase game.

The history of this Chinese temple is quite old. It is said to be the oldest Chinese temple in Jakarta and was established in 1650 by Kapitan China.

Kapitan China was a high-ranking government position in the community of overseas Chinese in colonial Malaysia and Indonesia. The term refers to the leaders of government in Officials who are responsible for bringing the community together and exercising a variety of power and influence. They were placed between the locals and the people of the home country. As a consequence, the suzerainty was able to control the colony smoothly.

Comment via

日本語