About:
Borobudur, also transcribed Barabudur (Indonesian: Candi Borobudur, Javanese: ꦕꦤ꧀ꦝꦶꦧꦫꦧꦸꦝꦸꦂ, romanized: Candhi Barabudhur) is a 7th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world's largest Buddhist temple.[1][2][3] The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa.[4]
Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blends the Indonesian indigenous tradition of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.[3] The temple demonstrates the influences of Gupta art that reflects India's influence on the region,[5] yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.[6][7] The monument is a shrine to the Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The pilgrim journey begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument, ascending to the top through three levels symbolic of Buddhist cosmology: Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rūpadhātu (the world of forms) and Arūpadhātu (the world of formlessness). The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades. Borobudur has one of the largest and most complete ensembles of Buddhist reliefs in the world.[3]
Evidence suggests that Borobudur was constructed in the 7th century and subsequently abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam.[8] Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians.[9] Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, followed by the monument's listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3]
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and ranks with Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of the great archeological sites of Southeast Asia. Borobudur remains popular for pilgrimage, with Buddhists in Indonesia celebrating Vesak Day at the monument. Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.[10][11][12]
Borobudur, also transcribed Barabudur (Indonesian: Candi Borobudur, Javanese: ꦕꦤ꧀ꦝꦶꦧꦫꦧꦸꦝꦸꦂ, romanized: Candhi Barabudhur) is a 7th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple in Magelang Regency, not far from the town of Muntilan, in Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world's largest Buddhist temple.[1][2][3] The temple consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa.[4]
Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple design follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, which blends the Indonesian indigenous tradition of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.[3] The temple demonstrates the influences of Gupta art that reflects India's influence on the region,[5] yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.[6][7] The monument is a shrine to the Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The pilgrim journey begins at the base of the monument and follows a path around the monument, ascending to the top through three levels symbolic of Buddhist cosmology: Kāmadhātu (the world of desire), Rūpadhātu (the world of forms) and Arūpadhātu (the world of formlessness). The monument guides pilgrims through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades. Borobudur has one of the largest and most complete ensembles of Buddhist reliefs in the world.[3]
Evidence suggests that Borobudur was constructed in the 7th century and subsequently abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms in Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam.[8] Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians.[9] Borobudur has since been preserved through several restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, followed by the monument's listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3]
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, and ranks with Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia as one of the great archeological sites of Southeast Asia. Borobudur remains popular for pilgrimage, with Buddhists in Indonesia celebrating Vesak Day at the monument. Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.[10][11][12]
Facts:
1. Built with volcanic stack without using any adhesiveFor those who have been visited Borobudur, you must know very well that the Borobudur temple was built without the use of any adhesive. Borobudur Temple is composed of stone blocks. Each piece of stone is arranged without the use of cement or adhesive. These stones are only stacked and spliced with certain patterns to bind each other (Interlock). Remarkably, it is long lasting!
2. Built during 23 years without any sophisticated toolsCurrently, a 25-floor building can be built for a year with modern equipment. The size of Borobudur temple is the same as a 10-floor building. When building Borobudur, there is no bulldozer to level the ground. No trucks to carry rocks. Also there is no crane to hoist the stone up.
All work is done with simple tools such as hammers and levers. The only vehicle there is a ‘pedati’. Pedati is a cart pulled by a cow. You could imagine how large and heavy stones should be pulled slowly. It is arranged one by one until it form a Borobudur temple. That is why, it needed 23 years to build Borobudur Temple.
3. Located in the special areaBorobudur is located in a fertile and strategic area. This Buddha temple is located among two mountains of Mount Merapi and Merbabu, Sindoro and Sumbing Mountain. Then, Menoreh Mountains also takes a part to ‘keep’ Borobudur Temple. There are also two rivers, Progo and Elo in the surrounding of the Borobudur Temple. It is really wonderful, right? (Read also: Highest Mountain in Indonesia)
4. The biggest Buddhist Temple in the worldBorobudur temple is listed on Guinness World Records as the largest archaeological site of Buddhist temple in the world, with an area of 15,129 square meters, 42 meters high with 10 levels, realistic length is more than 1 km, and consists of 72 stupas. In addition, Borobudur Temple also awarded the title as a UNESCO World Heritage. (Read also:Buddhism in Indonesia)
5. Consists of 2672 reliefs The walls of Borobudur temple filled with 2672 relief panels that if arranged in a line will reach a length of six kilometers. It is hailed as the largest and most comprehensive ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world. In the value of art, reliefs in Borobudur temple could be categorized as great.
Relief that carved on the walls of the temple is divided into four main stories, namely Karmawibangga, Lalita Wistara, Jataka and Awadana, and Gandawyuha. They are mainly told about the Buddha’s life journey and the values. The reliefs also recorded the progress of Javanese society at that time.
6. The head of the statue often be stolen because its high price Borobudur doesn’t stand without any risk or threats. The threats to the destruction of the temple building not only come from natural disaster, but also some crimes by stealing some parts of the temple, especially the head of Buddha statue that was cut by pushing it down. The thieves usually would sell it with the high price to the collector.
1. Built with volcanic stack without using any adhesiveFor those who have been visited Borobudur, you must know very well that the Borobudur temple was built without the use of any adhesive. Borobudur Temple is composed of stone blocks. Each piece of stone is arranged without the use of cement or adhesive. These stones are only stacked and spliced with certain patterns to bind each other (Interlock). Remarkably, it is long lasting!
2. Built during 23 years without any sophisticated toolsCurrently, a 25-floor building can be built for a year with modern equipment. The size of Borobudur temple is the same as a 10-floor building. When building Borobudur, there is no bulldozer to level the ground. No trucks to carry rocks. Also there is no crane to hoist the stone up.
All work is done with simple tools such as hammers and levers. The only vehicle there is a ‘pedati’. Pedati is a cart pulled by a cow. You could imagine how large and heavy stones should be pulled slowly. It is arranged one by one until it form a Borobudur temple. That is why, it needed 23 years to build Borobudur Temple.
3. Located in the special areaBorobudur is located in a fertile and strategic area. This Buddha temple is located among two mountains of Mount Merapi and Merbabu, Sindoro and Sumbing Mountain. Then, Menoreh Mountains also takes a part to ‘keep’ Borobudur Temple. There are also two rivers, Progo and Elo in the surrounding of the Borobudur Temple. It is really wonderful, right? (Read also: Highest Mountain in Indonesia)
4. The biggest Buddhist Temple in the worldBorobudur temple is listed on Guinness World Records as the largest archaeological site of Buddhist temple in the world, with an area of 15,129 square meters, 42 meters high with 10 levels, realistic length is more than 1 km, and consists of 72 stupas. In addition, Borobudur Temple also awarded the title as a UNESCO World Heritage. (Read also:Buddhism in Indonesia)
5. Consists of 2672 reliefs The walls of Borobudur temple filled with 2672 relief panels that if arranged in a line will reach a length of six kilometers. It is hailed as the largest and most comprehensive ensemble of Buddhist reliefs in the world. In the value of art, reliefs in Borobudur temple could be categorized as great.
Relief that carved on the walls of the temple is divided into four main stories, namely Karmawibangga, Lalita Wistara, Jataka and Awadana, and Gandawyuha. They are mainly told about the Buddha’s life journey and the values. The reliefs also recorded the progress of Javanese society at that time.
6. The head of the statue often be stolen because its high price Borobudur doesn’t stand without any risk or threats. The threats to the destruction of the temple building not only come from natural disaster, but also some crimes by stealing some parts of the temple, especially the head of Buddha statue that was cut by pushing it down. The thieves usually would sell it with the high price to the collector.
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