Semarang trips : Kuil Sam Poo Kong

It is said that once this place is a haven admiral Cheng Ho (a Persian-born Chinese warlord who are Muslims). Beginning of the 15th century formed a colony of Muslim communities and indigenous tionghoa kaligaran estuary. Companions must have heard a Chinese admiral named Cheng Ho, who once sailed and stopped at Semarang right? (Precisely in the area Simongan, southwest of Semarang). This haven place now stands a temple to commemorate Admiral Cheng Ho. And was given the name of Sam Poo Kong temple or some people call Gedong Stone Pagoda (because it was in a boulder cave located on a hill rock).

According to a source, Admiral Cheng Ho was a Muslim captain who was sailing from China into the world to trade while spreading the teachings of Islam. Since Cheng Ho is a character who originated from mainland China, the pagoda is stand was now used as places of worship and a search of fortune, as usual traditions that are run by people of Chinese descent to the present. Yet according to Ir. Setiawan in his book 'Getting to know Sam Poo Kong temple Semarang Stone House', this place used to be a mosque you know.

There are also interesting facts presented by a source. In 1431, there were few books to spread the religion of Islam, written by aides as Cheng Ho Ma Huan and Haji Haji Feh Tsing who speaks Arabic and act as a translator and record everything about countries visited. However writings that have saved in this temple during the 400-500 years Poortman seized by the President in 1928 on the grounds crush the communists. Of the three carts seized records, including writings that tell there Chinese role in the spread of Islam and the establishment of a number of Islamic kingdom in Java (such as Demak kingdom with the king Raden Patah a.k.a Jin Bun). However, some researchers doubt this is because after reviewing floor plans and layout of space in Sam Po Kong temple, there does not seem that many documents are safely stored for hundreds of years in such places.

In 1450-1475, after the Ming Dynasty shut down and the fleet destroyed and prevented from going orang2 Chinese from mainland China and the influence of followers of Islam among the Chinese peoples on the north coast of Java to recede. Chinese’s Mosques much to be changed become pagoda functions, and one of them is Sam Poo Kong temple. The same source had questioned whether Cheng Ho and Sam Po Kong was the same person? Cheng Ho was named another Mahuan Mongol (not China) that served as a ship captain. While Sam Po Kong is a commercial ship owners. So, both are different characters. Both figures are believed to have the same mission of spreading Islam throughout its trade activities (although until now, evidence of the spread of these teachings have not been found). Other sources put the facts on the contrary, where Cheng Ho and Sam Poo Kong is the same figure. That said, Admiral Cheng Ho / Zheng He received an award and was appointed Thai Thurs with a bachelor's San Po / Sam Po (Thurs Thai official who is close to the family of the Emperor). Since 1431's, better known as Cheng Ho with a bachelor's Sam Po Kong / Sam Po Lang or Toa Heritage Three Gods or Three Jewels. At that time the coastline was located in Semarang Simongan foothills, and coastal port of Semarang is important that many stop off foreign traders who came from the Malay, Chinese and Dutch. Chinese community who came to Semarang led by Sam Poo Tay Djien or known by another name Zheng He (a.k.a CHENG HO), a taykam Emperor Cheng Zu (from the Ming Dynasty) Islam proselytes who were sent to search for gems in the northern areas. Fleet of Zheng He was China's first fleet landed in Semarang in 1401 AD. At the time of Zheng He returned to his country, cave relics of Zheng He's landslides in 1704 and as a tribute, the local community to explore new cave and build an altar which is equipped with a statue of Zheng He and his bodyguard. This building is the only building in the world as a sacred place of the Chinese people. Inside this building we will find unique things that are rarely found in other Chinese temples. A stone cave in which there is an altar Sam Poo filled with lit candles. Goa is used as a fortune-telling by using a small sticks being thrown to the floor. After the death of Zheng He Simongan Semarang began bustling area occupied by Chinese immigrants who migrated to Semarang and gradually developed into a township. In the development area Simongan grown to become the first Chinese settlement in Semarang and became crowded with people who work as farmers and traders. Rebellion in the year 1742 conducted by the Chinese cause China people which are transferred to the Stone Buildings area of Chinatown (New Gang area now). After removal of the region Simongan grown into a residential area in its development into residential areas and industries. Displacement events makes the liturgical tradition in Chinatown pagoda similar to the existing tradition in Building Stone pagoda or temple is known by another name Sam Poo Tay Djien or Sam Poo Kong temple.

There are several places of worship frequented by pilgrims, namely: 1. Place of Worship God of Earth or Fu De Zheng Shen (Cheng Sin Hok Tek Hokkien) in the form of statues. Place of worship is called the God of Earth Tee Thao Kong Shrine is a place of worship to acknowledge with gratitude or asking a blessing and life safety to the God who rule the earth. 2. Places of Worship Kyai tomb Interpreter Interpreter Mudi Mudi ditempangi ship Admiral Zheng He. 3. Place of Worship Sam Poo Kong statues. Place of Worship Sam Poo Kong is the center of all activities in the building complex of stone used to invoke blessing bersembayang safety, health, and the services of Sam Poo Tay Djien by holding sembayangan. In this place there are caves that have water sources that are often used to treat a sick family. 4. Place of Worship Kyai Anchors. 5. Place of Worship Kyai Cundrik Earth. This place is a treasure or weapons storage area at the time of Sam Poo Kong. 6. Place of Worship Kyai & Nyi Tumpeng. This place is a tomb inscription in the form used to meditate or beg a blessing as well as forging themselves.