Aesthetical and Philosophical Values of Mu Yi (Wooden Fish) in Vihara Buddhi Bandung

Abstract

Vihara Buddhi, formerly known as “Female Temple”, is a sacred place where Chinese people in Indonesia worship their Gods and do their rituals. Chinese Indonesians adhere to Sanjiao teaching. Sanjiao means Three Teachings; a syncretic form of three main religions or teachings: Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. This form is strictly adhered by mostly Chinese Indonesians. Vihara Buddhi is located in Bandung, and operated by a group of priestesses called Zhai Ji, came from marginalized women of Hakka Tribe. As a result of syncretism in Sanjiao teachings, there are many kinds of ritual objects as artifact in the temple, derived from Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism. The most important amongst those artifact is (Mu Yi) wooden Fish, it is the most popular artifact and ritual object amongst Chinese Indonesian. Research questions: 1. What is the aesthetical value of wooden Fish in Vihara Buddhi, Bandung? 2. What is the philosophical value of the wooden Fish in Vihara Buddhi, Bandung? In this research i use qualitative methods: Direct observation, data collecting and interview. I use Eastern Aesthetic theory as an ideal approach to have a comprehensive result. The results confirm the aesthetical value of wooden Fish shown in the material and style of the artifact. The artifact is made from deep polished wood. Its round and hollow shape is designed in a certain way to fulfill its function as a ritual object which gives a certain sound when it is struck. The style of the artifact is similar to Japan wooden fish (mokugyo), and is different with Korea wooden fish (moktak). Philosophical values contained in the wooden fish is related to symbolic in Chinese Buddhism about wakeful attention, wealth and abundance. Keyword: Aesthetical Value, Philosophical Value, Wooden Fish, Sanjiao, Female Temple