Borobudur, the Biggest Buddhist Temple in the 9th century

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people longing to visit the building which is included in this World Wonder Heritages. Not surprisingly, since architecturally and functionally, as a place of prayer, Borobudur is attractive.


Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Wangsa Syailendra. Based Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was completed May 26 824, nearly a hundred years since the early days was built. The name of Borobudur itself according to some people means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places.

Berundak punden Borobudur-shaped building consists of 10 levels. Height of 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a brace. Six lowest level and square on the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each terrace symbolizes the stages of human life. In accordance madhhabs Mahayana Buddhism, anyone who wants to reach a level as Buddha through every level must be that life.

The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels mentioned above represents Rupadhatu humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in the open. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the hole-hole called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

Each terrace has beautiful reliefs that show how skillful. Relief will be read by coherently when you walk clockwise (toward 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 instance, the relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat cruise representing the advance of the time was centered in Bergotta (Semarang).

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

Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having Buddhist manuscripts from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa also be reduced to 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 a buried state. Some say Borobudur initially stood surrounded by swamp and buried because of the eruption of Merapi. Essentially Calcutta inscription reads 'Amawa' means sea of milk. That word is then interpreted as lava of Merapi. Some others say that Borobudur buried by cold lava of Merapi.

With all the grandeur and mystery that is, only natural that many people of all enter the world penjru Borobudur as a place to visit in his life. Besides enjoying the temple, you can walk around to the villages around Borobudur, like Karanganyar and Wanurejo to see people making craft activity. You can also go to the top watu Kendil to be able to view the panorama from the top of Borobudur. Wait what? No need to worry earthquake May 27, 2006, because of Borobudur is not affected at all.