Boen Tek Bio Temple: Its History and Philosophy

Boen Tek Bio Temple, Tangerang City/ Photo: Jehan/ VOI

YOGYAKARTA - According to history, Chinese people are estimated to have come and settled in the Tangerang area since 1407. The purpose of the Chinese's arrival in Tangerang at that time was to trade. During their stay in Tangerang, marriages between Chinese and indigenous people took place there. The descendants of the marriage are called Chinese peranakan until today. Well, in their daily lives in Tangerang, Chinese peranakan also built a house of worship, which was named Kelenteng Boen Tek Bio.

What is the History of Boen Tek Bio Temple?

Boen Tek Bio Temple is the oldest temple standing in the Kalipasir area, Tangerang. This temple is estimated to have existed since 1684.

Dilansir dari Antara, Sekretariat Badan Pengurus Perkumpulan Boen Tek Bio, Tedy Santibalo menjelaskan pada zaman dahulu Kelenteng Boen Tek Bio dibangun dengan cara gotong royong.

Chinese peranakan in the area collectively raised funds to build a temple.

"This temple was built very simply, it is said that it was still in the form of a rumbia roof," said Tedy.

The name Boen Tek Bio, explained Tedy, has a certain meaning. The word "boen" means intellectual, "tek" means virtue, and "bio" means a place of worship.

"Boen Tek Bio means a place of worship that forms people who are intellectual with full virtue," he said.

After being established for the first time in 1684, the Boen Tek Bio Temple was then restored in 1844. This restoration took 12 years and was completed in 1856.

Tedy said that the Boen Tek Bio Temple, which is currently seen at the location, has the same shape as the temple that was completed in 1856.

"After being restored from 1844 to 1856, the temple was not demolished until now," said Tedy.

Even so, Tedy explained that the temple's managers still take care of and maintain the temple so that it remains sturdy and durable.

The temple care that was carried out was to replace the temple paint that had faded, to patch the parts that had been seen to be worn.

"We did not replace the construction of the building (the temple), because the building is very sturdy," said Tedy.

After the Boen Tek Bio Temple was established in the Old Market area of Tangerang, five years later a temple in the New Market area of Tangerang was rebuilt. The temple was named Boen San Bio Temple.

Five years later, a temple was built again in the Old Market area, Serpong, called Kelenteng Boen Hay Bio. The construction of two temples after Kelenteng Boen Tek Bio has a certain meaning. Tedy said, these three temples have the philosophy of "leaning against the mountain looking at the ocean".

The philosophy is represented by the meaning of the name of each temple. The word "san" in the name Boen San Bio means ocean, while the word "hay" in the name Boen Hay Bio means Mountain.

The third position of the temple, explained Tedi, forms a straight line when viewed from the results of the satellite shooting.

"(The temple) Boen Tek Bio is in the middle, in front of it (the temple) Boen Hay Bio, and behind it is (the temple) Boen San Bio," he explained.

That's the review of the Boen Tek Bio temple and its history. Hopefully useful. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.