Borobudur Temple

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Borobudur is the biggest temple in Indonesia. Borobudur temple is located in Magelang, Central Java,  about  235 kilometers or 8 hours by car from Pangandaran. Borobudur Temple also a center of worship for Buddhists in Indonesia, especially at every celebration of Vesak. This is consistent with the meaning of the name of "the monastery in the hills". Currently established as one of Borobudur UNESCO World Heritage.

The history of BorobudurBorobudur was built around the year 800 AD or the 9th century. Borobudur was built by the adherents of Mahayana Buddhism during the reign of Dynasty dynasty. This temple was built at the height of the dynasty dynasty. The founder of the Borobudur Temple, King Samaratungga originating from or dynasty dynasty dynasty. The possibility of this temple was built around 824 AD and was completed around the year 900 AD during the reign of Queen Pramudawardhani who is the daughter of Samaratungga. While the architects who contributed to build this temple according to the story of hereditary named Gunadharma.Borobudur TempleBorobudur own words based on the first written evidence that was written by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Governor General of the United Kingdom in Java, which gives the name of this temple. There is no written evidence that older who gave name to this temple of Borobudur. Only one of the oldest document that shows the existence of this temple is Nagarakretagama book, written by mpu Prapanca in 1365. In the book is written that this temple was used as a place of Buddhist meditation.

Meaning of the name Borobudur is "monastery in the hills", which comes from the word "coal" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high places) in Sanskrit. Therefore, in accordance with the meaning of the name Borobudur, so this place long ago used as a place of Buddhist worship.This temple for centuries are no longer used. Then because of volcanic eruptions, most of the buildings covered with volcanic soil Borobudur. In addition, the building is also covered with various trees and shrubs for centuries. Then the building of this temple began forgotten in the time Islam arrived in Indonesia around the 15th century.

In 1814 when the British occupied Indonesia, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles heard of the discovery of archaeological objects in the giant-sized village of Magelang Bumisegoro. Due to the great interest the history of Java, Raffles immediately ordered the HC Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate the location of the discovery which was a hill covered with shrubs.Cornelius assisted by about 200 men cut down trees and remove shrubs that covered the giant building. Because the building considering the already fragile and could collapse, then report to the Raffles Cornelius invention includes several pictures. Since that discovery, Raffles was also honored as the man who started the restoration of Borobudur and the world's attention. In 1835, the entire area of ​​the temple has been unearthed. This temple continues restored in the Dutch colonial period.

After Indonesia gained its independence, in 1956, the Indonesian government requested the assistance of UNESCO to examine the damage to Borobudur. Then in 1963, out of the official Indonesian government's decision to conduct the restoration of Borobudur temple with the help of UNESCO. However, this restoration was only really started on August 10, 1973. The process of restoration was recently completed in 1984. Since 1991, the Borobudur Temple designated as World Heritage Sites or World Heritage by UNESCO.

Borobudur Temple building

Many theories reveal the side of the building of the temple of Borobudur. At first glance, this temple was built in the shape of a traditional mandala Buddhism. Mandala is a center of Buddhist and Hindu religious side, the basic form of the mandala is a square with four entrances to the one central point of the circle. Borobudur is divided into three zones representing the nature of consciousness until the journey to Nirvana.

According to Buddhist cosmology, the universe is divided into three main zones. Borobudur is the explanation of this zone are realized in each layer from bottom to top (peak).

Zone 1 Kamadhatu
The world is phenomenal, which is inhabited by various levels of society.

The base of Borobudur Temple is closed by a Buddhist foundation, so that it can no longer be seen. During the study period by JW Yzerman in 1885 the base was found. Hidden part of Kamadhatu consists of 160 reliefs depicting scenes Karmawibhangga Sutra, the law of cause and effect. Describe the behavior of human desire, reliefs depict rob, murder, rape, torture and defamation.

There are also stating that that the base was added to the original construction of the temple. But this statement is not 100% true, but the possibility is simply to balance the structure of the temple so that the base does not have movement, or for religious reasons - to cover more of an impression obscene. The base is added is equal to 3.6 x 6.5.
A basic point which has been permanently removed to allow visitors to see foot hidden, and some relief. See the picture to the right.

The images can be viewed from 160 reliefs at Borobudur Museum located at Borobudur Tourism Park.


Zone 2 Rapadhatu
In which man freed from earthly things.

Four levels Rapadhatu square contains galleries of carved stone reliefs, and the chain niches containing statues of Buddha. In total there are 328 Buddha at this level balustraded which also has a lot of relief decoration are still original.

Sanskrit manuscripts are described at this level consists of more than 1300 relief Gandhawyuha, Lalitawistara, Jataka and Awadana along approximately 2.5 km. In addition there are also sculptures 1212.


Zone 3 Arupadhatu
Highest level, where the gods are.

Three circular terraces leading to the central or domed stupa represents the highest value in this world, and the terrace is less ornate.

The terraces contain circular perforated stupas, bell shape, which contains a statue of Buddha, facing out from the temple. Overall there are 72 stupas. The main stupa is currently not as high as the original version, which rises 42m above ground level, 9.9 meters in diameter. In contrast to the surrounding stupas, stupa no central statue of Buddha and many conflicting versions of the content of the main stupa.
 

Candi Borobudur dibangun untuk mewakili banyak lapisan teori Buddhis. Dari pandangan mata burung, pura ini dalam bentuk sebuah mandala Buddhis tradisional. mandala adalah pusat banyak Buddha dan seni Hindu, bentuk dasar mandalas Hindu dan Budha kebanyakan adalah persegi dengan empat poin masuk, dan titik pusat lingkaran. Bekerja dari luar ke dalam, tiga zona kesadaran yang diwakili, dengan lingkup pusat mewakili pingsan atau Nirwana

 

Buddhist attitude

Buddhist meditative attitude of the 504 statues in 6 different hand position seen in every direction.

     'Mudra' Setiakawan depict attitude, courage, or a Buddhist symbol of purity and serenity.

 

 

 

 

 

Restorasi

RestorationBorobudur to be unkempt and whipping exposed to nature in the 8th century when the power switch from central Java. Why this happens is unknown, suspected eruption of Merapi, and the inhabitants move to save themselves.Historical records state that in the 18th century Buddhists have visited this place again. But the 'discovery' by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1814 that made it more famous temples and temple restoration done.In 1815 Raffles ordered the initial cleanup, 200 people work 45 days to cut down the tree and dispose of land attached. Many areas of the temple were the resource persons sagging.The next job documentation and translation of relief. Ijzerman who worked in 1885 found hidden at the base of the temple reliefs, found also warrant given to the sculptor in Sanskrit, with a letter which clearly indicates that the development be done in the mid-9th century, the reign of the dynasty Saliendra.

    Some relief is left unfinished, with command written in Sanskrit, and form letters used clearly came from the mid 9th century.In 1907 major restoration carried out led by Van Erp and completed in 1911. The work was successful and saved the temple for some time. But many pieces of the temple is not returned in its original location.In 1956 research conducted by an expert from Belgium sent by UNESCO. The conclusion of damage by water is large enough so that needed to be stemmed for long-term rescue. The hill below the temple is also eroded, weakening temple foundations and stone reliefs on temple undermined / eroded.Preparations began in 1963, with the important discovery that the establishment of the hill where the temple was not a natural hill sepertti previously thought. This hill is made of loamy soil, mixed with stones and kricak / broken stone. This preparation showed restoration to be done is a huge job. The Indonesian government then submitted a proposal to the UNESCO 1968.UNESCO provide full support and immediately began to raise funds for restoration, From 1968 to 1983, conducted the study along with the restoration under UNESCO. Experts from around the world come to uncover and rebuild the temple of Borobudur. Some great work is also done to prevent the microorganisms eat the stone temple. 

Borobudur temple in the list of world heritage in 1991 by UNESCO .

Between two Temples 
Borobudur addition there are two smaller temples, Pawon and Mendut. At a time when the temple was built, the location of the third temple becomes very important. Pawon located 1.5km, and Mendut located 3 kilometers from Borobudur.The third temple is a route at the time of Vesak day festival every year. Held every year on the full moon day in April or May the festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

    This is an important day in the Buddhist calendar to see local and international pilgrims walking in procession from Mendut, until Pawon and then to Borobudur. This celebration is enlivened with a variety of activities and is supported by the Indonesian government.