Vihara Satya Dharma 保安宫

The 8000 sqm Vihara Satya Dharma on Bali Island, Indonesia, is one of the latest and largest of Chinese temples on the island.

Inaugurated relatively recently on 15 Aug 2012, it is known to the Chinese as Bao An Gong and locally as Vihara Satya Dharma. Although bearing the same name as another temple in Taipei, it is unrelated.

The temple is said to be funded by Hokkien Chinese businessmen from the Riau islands and dedicated to Nezha 哪吒, who is referred to by his official title Zhong Tan Yuan Shuai 中坛元帅,  the commander of the central camp of the celestial army.

Read about Nezha

The temple's facade shows scenes from Chinese legends or with auspicious symbols. The temple has five doorways, three central doors leading into the main halls, and two to the rear hall. The doorways have an introduction to the deities in respective halls.

As the key deity, Nezha stands in the center of the main hall dressed as the commander of the celestial army. On the same central shrine are the Seve lords of the yeo (yang) family and the supreme lord of the north. 

Behind is the hall of compassion dedicated to Guan Yin, and perhaps most unique is the Chinese trinity behind Guan Yin. There the Buddha sits center along with Confucius and Lao Zi, representing the three schools of teaching in the Chinese belief system; Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism.

Built in a more liberal era, Vihara Satya Dharma is very visible as a Chinese temple from afar without the usual Bali archways that form part of the older temples, such as Denpasar Kwan Kong Bio. Yet it retains the custom of naming the temple as a vihara.

Related articles:

Indonesia

Nezha Culture

Main Hall

Story of Mazu
Back hall Behind Guan Yin are Buddha, Confucius and Lao Zi