Study of Chinese Architectural Design in Temple Building (Case Study: Maha Dana Temple Tebing

. Chinese Architecture is one of the architectural styles widely implemented in Indonesia, especially in the small town of Tebing Tinggi, Sumatera Utara. This can be seen from various places of worship or temples, houses belonging to the people of Chinese descent, and other buildings, one of which is in the Maha Dana Temple in Tebing Tinggi. Maha Dana Temple applies a relatively aspect of Chinese architecture, which can be seen in some of the Fengshui applications used, spatial planning patterns, building styles, building structures, and decorations. The purpose of this research is to identify the Chinese architecture aspects or elements that is implemented in the Maha Dana Temple. The research method used is descriptive-comparative qualitative research, which produces data describing what elements of Chinese architecture are applied to the Maha Dana Temple building. The information was obtained through observation and documentation in the field. This study aimed to examine and identify the application and meaning of Chinese architecture aspects in the Maha Dana Temple building in Tebing Tinggi. The research results are expected to benefit science, as a study that can be used as a reference in identifying aspects of Chinese architecture design, especially at the Maha Dana Temple in Tebing Tinggi.


Introduction
Tebing Tinggi is a transit area. It becomes one of the factors for the emergence of ethnic and cultural diversity, where this cultural and ethnic diversity can blend well to create a harmonious social life in the community [1]. The variety of tribes and ethnicities in Tebing Tinggi led to the emergence of cultural diversity with its history, one of which is in architecture. The diversity of architecture in Tebing Tinggi is reflected in various building designs representing their respective cultures, such as the Minang Architecture, Islamic Architecture, Chinese Architecture, Bataknese Architecture, etc. The Chinese architectural style is one of the architectural styles that are pretty widely applied in Tebing Tinggi, which is represented through the design of houses of worship and residences in the Chinese ethnic community.
In Tebing Tinggi, many temples adopt Chinese Architecture as the design concept of the building with various elements and ornaments that represent Chinese culture. One of them is the Maha Dana Temple, the oldest house of worship for Chinese people (Buddhist and Confucian) in Tebing Tinggi. Maha Dana Temple applies a relatively aspect of Chinese Architecture, such as the ornaments, columns, wall paintings, and decorations in this building, which is why Maha Dana Temple was chosen as the object of this research in the study of Chinese architectural design.
2 Literature Review

Chinese Architecture
According to Lillian Too (1995), factors that affect Fengshui include site condition, building direction, size, and shape of the building site [2].
Site Condition -A good site is a contoured/hilly site. A flat area is believed to have a negative element. It is generally made with floor level differences to represent a positive element to get the balance. The contoured site represents the balance essential for natural harmony (Fengshui) [2].
Building Direction -Buildings built near a location with running water (e.g. rivers) are always believed to prosper [3]. Buildings facing the river are considered good Fengshui, as they are a gathering place for positivity.
The Shape of the Building Site -Based on Fengshui theory, a rectangular site (square) is the best form because Fengshui believed that a regular (symmetrical) and balanced place would be better [4]. In contrast, an area with other states is considered challenging to build. If the building site has an excess angle, then the back of the building should be made higher than the front. This is so that positive energy can flow from the back to the front of the building.
Spatial Planning -The spatial planning in Chinese Architecture lies in an open interior layout called the "inner court" or "courtyard" [6]. Buildings with Chinese Architecture were built with specific rules around the courtyard. This follows the Chinese people's view of life, which is "close to the earth", namely if humans are close to the ground/earth, then it will guarantee their health [7].
Building style -Chinese architectural style can be found on the roof of the building [4]. There

Figure 1 The Shape of the Roof in Chinese Architecture
Building Structure/Construction -One of the hallmarks of Chinese Architecture is the protrusion (exposed) of the structure to show the beauty of the structural elements. Exposure to this structure can usually be found on columns, beams, and roof trusses made of wood [11].
Decoration (Ornament) -The application of ornaments is one of the most prominent characteristics of Chinese Architecture [12]. The decorations generally applied to Chinese buildings consist of animal ornaments, plant ornaments, God ornaments, and geometric ornaments [13] [14] [15].

Temple
According to Handinoto (1990), based on physical points, the temple building generally consists of four parts, namely: the front yard, the central holy hall, the side building, and additional building [16].

Results and Discussion
Maha Dana Temple is the oldest house of worship for Chinese people (Buddhist and Confucian) in Tebing Tinggi, which is estimated to have been established in 1880 [20]. Initially, this temple building consisted of only a one-floor building, but then Maha Dana Temple carried out a major renovation and added a new building that stood firmly and majestically behind the old main building ( Figure 2). The new facility, located directly behind the main building, has been renovated for a long time and was just inaugurated in 2019.

Figure 2 Maha Dana Temple
According to Handinoto (1990), based on physical points, the temple building generally consists of four parts, namely: the front yard, the main prayer room, the side building, and additional building ( Figure 3).   The side building at Maha Dana Temple contains several altars that worship several gods, which are generally placed outdoors, such as Tua Pek Kong, one of the gods in the beliefs of the overseas Chinese community in Malaysia and Indonesia who is considered to be as "God of Prosperity" [3] [21]. In addition, there is also the God of the Tiger, one of the gods who is often worshipped and has an altar in almost every temple ( Figure 6). In Chinese culture and Taoism, tigers are worshipped or associated with certain gods because they have a fierce nature, so that they are used as symbols of authority and courage [22].

Analysis of Fengshui at Maha Dana Temple
According to Lillian Too (1995), factors that affect Fengshui include site condition, building direction, size, and shape of the building site [2].

Site Condition
The site of Maha Dana Temple building tends to be flat. In order to achieve balance, it is generally made with floor level differences to represent a positive element (Figure 9). The contoured site represents the balance which is very important for the harmony of nature. Site that is rectangular or square is the best form of site. The building site is not rectangular ( Figure 11). an area with other states is considered challenging to build. If the building site has an excess angle, then the back of the building should be made higher than the front. This is so that positive energy can flow from the back to the front of the building.

Spatial Planning
The spatial planning in Chinese Architecture lies in an open interior layout called the "inner court" or "courtyard". Maha Dana temple has a courtyard in the middle of the main room ( Figure 12). In the arrangement of the room, there is a rule that the more important the status of the room, the higher the location of the room (Figure 13).   The application of decoration and ornaments applied in Maha Dana Temple building can be seen in Table 1.  In order to achieve balance, it is generally made with floor level differences to represent a positive element. The contoured site represents the balance which is very important for the harmony of nature (Fengshui).

2.
Building Direction -Building facing the river is believed to have good Fengshui, because the flow of water is believed to bring prosperity and a gathering place for positive energy.
Maha Dana Temple building was built facing the Bahilang River.
 Apply Chinese Architecture

3.
Shape of the Building Site -Site that is rectangular or square is the best form of site.
Due to the shape of the site follows the shape of the road, the building site is not rectangular.
If the building site being has an excessive angle, then the back of the building should be built higher than the front. This is so that Chi (positive energy) can flow from the back to the front of the building.

Analysis of Chinese Architectural Characteristics at Maha Dana Temple 4.
Spatial Planning -Building generally has an inner court (courtyard) because it is in accordance with the Chinese people's view of life which is "close to the ground/earth" -In the arrangement of the room, there is a rule that the more important the status of a room, the higher the location of the room.

Conclusion
Based on the results of the research that has been done, the Maha Dana Temple in Tebing Tinggi is a building that applies the concept of Chinese Architecture to its building design. This can be seen in some Fengshui applications used, such as spatial planning, building style, building structure/construction, and applied ornaments. The application and meaning of these aspects in the Maha Dana Temple building follow Chinese Architecture, except for the site condition, the shape of the building site, and a small part of the ornaments used. Structure/Construction -Using wood construction as part of the building structure. -Exposed structure to show the beauty of the structural elements.
-Using wooden structures on building beams. -Exposed beams with various complementary ornaments to add to the beauty.
 Apply Chinese Architecture

7.
Decoration (Ornament) -Ornaments that commonly used in Chinese architecture include: animal ornament, plant ornament, god ornament, and geometric ornament.
Maha Dana Temple applies various kinds of ornaments of animals, plants, gods, and geometric, as can be seen in Table 1 Application of Ornaments in Maha Dana Temple.
 Apply Chinese Architecture