Sam Poo Kong

{{Infobox building

| name = Sam Poo Kong

| native_name =

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| alternate_names = Gedung Batu Temple

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| image = Sam Po Kong Temple Semarang Indonesia.jpg

| image_alt = The main temple, after renovation

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| map_type = Indonesia_Semarang

| map_alt =

| map_caption = Location in Semarang

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| building_type = Chinese temple

| architectural_style = Mix of traditional Chinese and Javanese

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| owner = Sam Poo Kong Foundation

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| location_town = Semarang

| location_country = Indonesia

| coordinates = {{coord|-6.9963|110.3980|region:IN|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| groundbreaking_date = {{circa}} 1400 – 1416

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| renovation_date = Numerous

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Sam Poo Kong ({{zh|c=三保洞|p=Sānbǎo Dòng}}), also known as Gedung Batu Temple, is the oldest Chinese temple in Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia. Originally established by the Chinese explorer Zheng He (also known as Ma Sanbao), it is now shared by Indonesians of multiple religious denominations, including Muslims and Buddhists, and ethnicities, including Chinese and Javanese.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Temple gears up}}

History

The foundations of Sam Poo Kong were set when Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng He arrived in the western part of what is now Semarang via the Garang River;{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Sam Poo Kong}} the year is disputed, with suggestions ranging from 1400 to 1416.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=57}} After disembarking from his ships, Zheng found a cave in a rocky hillside and used it for prayer.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} He established a small temple before leaving Java but, having grown fond of the area, his deputy Wang Jing and several crewmen remained behind.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=57}} A statuette of Zheng was installed in the cave.{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=59}}

The original temple was reportedly destroyed in 1704, collapsing under a landslide.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=59}} In October 1724 the temple was completely renovated.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} A new cave was made, next to the old one.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}

In the middle of the 1800s Sam Poo Kong was owned by a Mr. Johanes, a landlord of Jewish descent, who charged devotees for the right to pray at the temple.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}}{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=61}} Unable to pay individual fees, the Chinese community spent 2000 gulden yearly to keep the temple open; this was later reduced to 500 gulden after worshipers complained of the expense.{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=61}} As this was still a heavy burden, devotees abandoned Sam Poo Kong and found a statue of Zheng He to bring to Tay Kak Sie Temple, {{convert|5|km|mi}} away, where they could pray freely.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}}

In 1879, Oei Tjie Sien, a prominent local businessman, bought the Sam Poo Kong complex and made its use free of charge; in response, local Chinese celebrated by holding a carnival and began returning to Sam Poo Kong.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}}{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=63}} The temple's ownership was transferred to the recently founded Sam Poo Kong foundation in 1924.{{sfn|Setiakusuma|2006|p=61}}

The temple received another full renovation in 1937. After the Japanese invasion of the Indies, the Japanese command installed electricity and provided the temple with a framed written appraisal for Zheng He.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} During five years of revolution after the Japanese left the newly independent Indonesia, the temple was poorly maintained and fell into disrepair.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}

In 1950, Sam Poo Kong was again renovated. However, beginning in the 1960s increased political instability led to its being neglected again.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} From 2002 to 2005 it underwent another major renovation.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2008, Semarang's Old City}}

Layout

The Sam Poo Kong complex includes five temples in a mixed Chinese and Javanese architectural style. The temples are Sam Poo Kong (the oldest), Tho Tee Kong, Kyai Juru Mudi Temple, Kyai Jangkar Temple, and Kyai Cundrik Bumi Temple. An additional worship site, Mbah Kyai Tumpeng, is in the complex.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} The buildings are spread over {{convert|3.2|ha|acre}}.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Temple gears up}}

Tho Tee Kong (also known as Dewa Bumi Temple), is just within the large gate at the northern end of the complex; it is used by those who seek the blessings of the earth god Tu Di Gong. Next to Tho Tee Kong is Kyai Juru Mudi Temple, the burial site of Wang Jing Hong, one of Zheng He's deputies. It is often frequented by people looking for success in business.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}

The main temple is built directly in front of the cave, south of Kyai Juru Mudi. In the cave are an altar, fortune-telling equipment, and a small statue of Zheng He. Underneath the altar is a well that is said to never go dry and to be capable of healing various ailments.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}} Before the 2002 renovations, the temple measured {{convert|16|by|16|m|ft}}. It now measures {{convert|34|by|34|m|ft}}.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Temple gears up}}

Further south is the Kyai Jankar Temple, named after a sacred anchor used by Zheng He which is held inside. The temple contains an altar to Zheng's crewmen who died while fulfilling their duties. The southernmost temple is Kyai Cundrik Bumi, which is used to worship a weapon used by Zheng. Nearby is Mbah Kyai Tumpeng, a prayer site used by people wishing for their well-being.{{sfn|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}

File:Three Temples at Sam Poo Kong, 2014-06-18.jpg

Carnival

Every lunar year on the 30th day of the sixth month, the anniversary of Zheng He's arrival in Semarang, Chinese Indonesians parade statues of Zheng He, Lauw In, and Thio Ke from Tay Kak Sie to Sam Poo Kong.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}} Started after Sam Poo Kong again became free to use, the carnival is meant to show respect to the explorers.{{sfn|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}}

Entertainment events

1 September 2019 - Westlife - The Twenty Tour

References

;Footnotes

;Bibliography

{{cite book

|editor-last=Setiakusuma

|editor-first=Priambudi

|title=Klenteng Agung Sam Poo Kong

|trans-title=The Great Temple Sam Poo Kong

|language=Indonesian

|publisher=Sam Poo Kong Foundation

|year=2006

|location=Semarang

}}

{{cite news

| title= Sam Poo Kong Temple belongs to everyone

| work= The Jakarta Post

| date =28 July 2001

| last=Sudiarno

| first=Tarko

| url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2001/07/28/sam-poo-kong-temple-belongs-everyone.html

| access-date=8 January 2012

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302202710/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2001/07/28/sam-poo-kong-temple-belongs-everyone.html

| archive-date=2 March 2014

| url-status= dead

| ref={{harvid|Sudiarno 2001, Sam Poo Kong}}

}}

{{cite news

| title=Sam Poo Kong temple to become Central Java provincial icon

| work= The Jakarta Post

| date =9 August 2005

| last=Suherdjoko

| first=

| url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/08/09/sam-poo-kong-temple-become-central-java-provincial-icon.html

| access-date=8 January 2012

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307012023/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/08/09/sam-poo-kong-temple-become-central-java-provincial-icon.html

| archive-date=7 March 2014

| url-status=dead

| ref={{harvid|Suherdjoko 2005, Sam Poo Kong}}

}}

{{cite news

| title= Semarang set for Sam Po Carnival

| work= The Jakarta Post

| date =26 July 2005

| last=Suherdjoko

| first=

| url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/07/26/semarang-set-sam-po-carnival.html

| access-date=8 January 2012

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301133051/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2005/07/26/semarang-set-sam-po-carnival.html

| archive-date=1 March 2014

| url-status= dead

| ref={{harvid|Suherdjoko 2005, Semarang set for Sam Po}}

}}

{{cite news

| title=Semarang's Old City offers history, culture

| work= The Jakarta Post

| date =25 May 2008

| last=Suherdjoko

| first=

| url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/05/25/semarang039s-old-city-offers-history-culture.html

| access-date=8 January 2012

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428044731/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/05/25/semarang039s-old-city-offers-history-culture.html

| archive-date=28 April 2013

| url-status=live

| ref={{harvid|Suherdjoko 2008, Semarang's Old City}}

}}