Borobudur Temple

Borobudur, the Biggest Buddhist Temple in the 9th Century

Borobudur is the biggest temple in Indonesia. Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java, in addition to being a bustling tourist attraction visited, also a center of worship for Buddhists in Indonesia, particularly in every celebration of Vesak. This is consistent with the meaning of the name of 'convent in the hills ". Currently established as one of the Borobudur World Heritage by UNESCO.

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people are yearning to visit the buildings included in this World Wonder Heritages. No wonder, for the architectural and function as a place of worship, Borobudur is attractive heart.

Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, Dynasty descendant dynasty. Based Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship was completed on 26 May 824, almost a hundred years from the time the construction. The name of Borobudur, as some people means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high ground.

Borobudur-shaped building with staircase punden consists of 10 levels. Height 42 meters before it was renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level is used as a drag. Six lowest level of a square and three levels on top of a circle and one of the highest levels of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stages of human life. In accordance madhhabs Mahayana Buddhism, every person who wants to reach the level as the Buddha had to through every level of life is.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels above referred Rupadhatu symbolizes man who had to break free from lust but still bound manner and form. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupas are laid in holes called Arupadhatu, symbolizing man who has been free from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how skillful. Relief that will be read coherently when you walk in a clockwise direction (towards the left of the entrance of the temple). The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. In addition, there are relief panels describing the condition of society at that time. For example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of the voyage who was based in Bergotta (Semarang).

All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect the Buddha's teachings. Hence, this temple functions as educating the media for people who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES invites you to surround each of the narrow alleys of Borobudur for to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the 10th century, had visited the temple that was built 3 centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and armed with a script from Serlingpa Buddhism (one of the king of the Kingdom of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six manuscripts of Serlingpa was condensed into a core course called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or better known by the name Bodhipathapradipa.

One of the questions still unanswered about Borobudur is how the condition around the temple was built and why the temple was found in the buried state. Some say Borobudur initially stood surrounded by a swamp and then buried by the eruption of Merapi. Calcutta is essentially the inscription reads 'Amawa' means sea of ​​milk. The word is then interpreted as lava of Merapi. Some other says that Borobudur buried by cold lava of Merapi.

With all the grandeur and mystery that is, only natural that many people from all world penjru include Borobudur as a place worth visiting in his life. Besides enjoying the temple, you can walk around to the villages around Borobudur, like Karanganyar and Wanurejo to view the activities of local crafts. You also can go to the top watu Kendil to be able to view a panorama from the top of Borobudur. Why wait? No need to worry about an earthquake May 27, 2006, because of Borobudur is not affected at all.

Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple