An Identification of hybrid architecture in Tri Dharma temples in Bali

As an ethnic minority, the Chinese-Balinese are still practicing their cultural practices and values, particularly in expressing Tri Dharma temple design. This descriptive article identifies the variation of architectural forms for a few examples of Tri Dharma temples in Bali representing hybrid architecture. The empirical data of Tri Dharma temples distributed across regencies in Bali are collated qualitatively through the observation of architectural forms and interview sessions with several Tri Dharma temple representations, focusing on the building forms, materials, ornament and decorative elements. The result shows that the hybrid features in these Tri Dharma temples are identifiable through the adoption of Balinese traditional gates either painted in Chinese traditional colours or maintained its exposed natural materials. These gates also mostly adopt Chinese and Buddhist religious ornaments. Various forms of Hindu-Balinese shrines are also adopted into these temples. Given these variations, it reveals that the hybrid architecture in Tri Dharma temples in Bali is influenced by spiritual and mixed cultural backgrounds. Shifting policies and state attitudes towards ethnic Chinese in Indonesia have also contributed to the characteristics of this hybrid architecture.