Klenteng (Temple) Gondoman, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

One of the heritage of Chinese etnhic in Yogyakarta is Klenteng (Temple) Gondoman, named as Buddha Praba Temple. It is situated at Gondoman region, notably at Jalan Brigjend katamso 3, Yogyakarta. It is an important historical building for the development of Chinese in Yogyakarta.

According to the history, temple with original name Hok Tik Bio, was a temple built on a land covering 1150 sqm, as gift from Sultan of Yogyakarta in August 15th 1900 in the period of Sultan Hamengkubuwono VII. The building is listed in the cultural and heritage reserve on 26 March 2007, by The command letter Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No..PM.25/PW.007/MKP/2007. In 1907, for the effort of a former Chinese Mayor, Yap Ping Liem, the temple was erected. Four years later, NV Kwik Hoo Tong built Poncowinatan Temple. The different between those temples is that people visited Gondoman temple to get fortune and prosperity, while Poncowinatan Temple was for justice seeking. Until 1940, both temple was cared well and flocked by people. Later it got dreary and quiet as young generation was no interested to maintain the tradition. After communist party incident in 1965, Yogyakarta city mayor, Soedjono AY, reminded a rich Chinese man, Tirto Winoto, for the abandonment of the temple. If it was still abandoned then local government would take over the temple. After that then an institution led by Kan Ging An was created. This institution mission was to develop Kong Hu Chu and Buddha teachings without neglecting Taoism. This institution was officially started in 1974, and created 3 sections ; Cetya Buddha Praba (The Light Buddha), Tao Pek Kong, and Gate of Wisdom (Kong Hu Cu). All sections were allowed to undertake activitied in both temples. Among those sections, Buddha section was the most active one. In fact, Buddhist only utilized the rear part of Gondoman temple.

Bio Hok Tik temple is place to worship for Buddhist and Confucuanism followers. The current name of the temple is Buddhist Vihara Prabha, as until year 2000, the government only recognized Buddhism. For that, Confucian used the temple as worship too.

Th temple is decorated with various Buddhist ornaments. There are shrine for Buddha, Dhyani Bodhisatva and Maitreya Prajnaparamita. The best time to visit are during Chinese New Year where fascinated festivities are held.