Borobudur Temple, Shape and Symbol
Among the many relics of the temple in Indonesia, Borobudur is typical, there is no space in which is usually the main element of most temples in Indonesia. The form can only be described as a combination of a number of foreign elements and architectural from old traditions; punden berundak (srone terrace).
Borobudur peak in the form of a stupa. The temple consists of six square terrace level, three-level circular hoop (concentric circles) in the form of 10 courtyard that stands on a base measuring 123 x 123 meters on each side with a height of 4 meters.
Building area of 15,129 m2, composed of 55,000 m3 of rock, approximately two million pieces of rocks. Long pieces of stone up to 500 km with the overall weight can reach 1.3 million tons. The average stone size of 25 cm x 10 cm x 15 cm. Temple high above the ground until the end of the 35-meter main stupa-first reaches 42 meters. Borobudur stone structure does not use an adhesive, but the use of the interlock system, the system locks like Lego blocks that can be attached without glue or cement.
Borobudur temple complex has 504 stupa in her. Some researchers believe that Borobudur is the stupa itself, while all other elements-ie stupas smaller, hundreds of statues and thousands of relief-only window dressing, additions without him was this temple will not miss the meaning of the main. Because of lower levels of no more than a basis for decoration that crowned the summit of the building.
This explanation seems less unsustainable levels that are tiered by building terraces classic pre-steps associated with megaliths and may be designed for ceremonies associated with ancestor worship anyway. The architects who designed the temple of Borobudur has taken place-as shown by J. Dumarcay, prepared with landforms terrace steps (step one).
Maybe this place was chosen by chance by the Buddhists and the design of the temple adapted to the shape of the land that already exist solely to save time, but another explanation suggests that the architects Borobudur chose this place precisely in order to associate themselves with a symbolism that has been established in here.
Until now several matters relating to the temple of Borobudur is still a mystery that fascinate. How they prepare and transport the stone, what kind of technology is used and how Relief Borobudur made?
Origins and Traces word "Borobudur"
Borobudur name as a 'real name' for the temple is located in Muntilan, Kab. Magelang (Central Java) is still keeping many interpretations. Generally, the names of the temple is known in Indonesia mostly was "not a" real name or first name may be given.
Lack of resources are up to the hands of the archaeologists, made possible the temples we now know, for naming usually taken from the name of a region or a discovery, a few names take the phenomena seen, and there is also rooted in local tradition.
One opinion states Borobudur origin of the name comes from the word bhudara (mountain). Other opinions that offend the location of the temple of Borobudur, derived from two words namely bara/vihara (monastery) and beduhur. Borobudur means monastery on the hill or a monastery on the high place.
The word "monastery in Budur" further contained in kakawin Prapanca famous works, Nagarakretagama (1365 AD). What is Prapanca mean it's Borobudur? So far not much evidence, because almost certainly many other temples were built on a hill. Tanah Jawi estimated chronicle written beginning of the 18th century, called Borobudur in relation as areas where persitiwa uprising.
Borobudur as the name of the temple as we know it today, was popularized by Raffles (1817) in his book "The History of Java" is said to refer to the name of the area around the temple was standing, the village Boro / Bore. While the term Budur, interpret as "ancient".
J.G. de Casparis (1950) argues that "Budur" comes from the term Bhudhara which means "mountain". His statement is based on inscriptions Karangtengah and Tri Tepusan that provide information about the conferring of the area sima (tax-free land) by Pramudawardhani to maintain Kamulan, Bhumisambhara.
Borobudur and Buddhist
Buddha is a popular religion in Central Java just over a century, began around the year 705 AD to 850 AD. Although the popularity is relatively short, Buddhism has encouraged the development of a number of famous temples. Borobudur, the most famous, is very interesting both for its beauty as well as the information given regarding the evolution of the flow of Buddhist belief in the archipelago.
Borobudur temple development coincided with the powers held by the Java Land Samaratungga king of ancient Mataram, it is no wonder this temple is often associated with it, in other words, Samaratungga is the founder of the temple of Borobudur. It is estimated that the construction of the temple of Borobudur spent half a century, and only really completed during Pramodawardhani.
When Borobudur was built in the 8th century and the 9th, Buddhism is not in a state of calm, but experienced a period of upheaval. Buddhists respect philosophers who have developed a religious theory and a new way, the Indonesian nation must have contributed to the Buddhist concepts in addition to helping spread the thoughts and teachings alone. However, only a few details remaining to address what the contents of these thoughts.
Buddhist teaching center in Java and Sumatra certainly have important literature as elsewhere, but because the material for the writing-especially of papyrus and other materials-perishable, no legacy at all. Only a few short text remains on other materials seta script written long after the heyday of Borobudur, which could give a little clue about the contents of their libraries.
However, Borobudur seems to have been forgotten for centuries. some argue because the political situation at the time, until the occurrence of a disaster. Borobudur was left buried and the surrounding area into a forest that seems devoid of life. The existence of this temple gets the attention of the world community in 1814 when "discovered" the British Governor General of Java at the time, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
Stages of Construction
Borobudur is actually a skin covering of stone menyelungkupi a hill. Rainwater continued to seep through the cracks almost caused its collapse. Construction of Borobudur Buddhist temple on the hill started third in Java Hinduism is still growing very rapidly. Therefore, the stupa at the top of the pyramid can be interpreted as a guide icon to the pre-classical classics.
Borobudur development which takes about 50 years, during which the design changes. In the first stage may begin around the year 780 AD. A small apartment layout consists of three steps then built at the top made another apartment layout but destroyed back. At first it might be designed like a pyramid staircase.
In the second phase Borobudur foundation performed dilation and plus two square steps and one step round. The stairs of the temple grounds to be replaced and expanded, so that the original foot becomes hidden. In the third stage, more basic changes made. Steps up round is removed and replaced with the steps round three. Stupa also built on top of the building.
In the latter stages, only made small changes, including the addition of relief and changes stairs and arches that are above the stairwell door. Nonetheless, the symbol of the temple remains the same and the changes made are more ornaments to beautify the temple.
Arca and Mandala
Statues found in the temple complex totaling approximately 504 units. Merging ornament in Borobudur not limited to the two styles. Plan of the temple, when viewed from above, clearly forming a mandala pattern. Mandala is a diagram of the placement of the gods at certain places to form a ring or a circle with a center. The diagram of many kinds (more than 2,000) and versatile, including functions such as helping meditation, and outlines a sacred place that forbid evil forces entered.
Borobudur has six different types of Buddha statues. In the east, there are three rows of terraced wall seating Buda statue in Bumisparsamudra (gesture indicating conquer imaginary). In the south there are three rows of statues in Varamudra (Attitude Amal), the west, walkin sculpture series shows Dhyanamudra (meditate), while in the north the attitude Abhaamudra (dissipate fears).
Fourth row on all sides depict Buda in Vitarkamudra (attitude gave the Sermon). After this level there are three steps round topped with perforated stupas in which there are Buda-Buda in dharmacakramudra.
This position symbolizes Sakyamuni first sermon in the Deer Park at Benares. One of the unsolved mysteries of Borobudur is that which is already known in other places. Buda does not establish any mandala.
Reliefs and Storytelling
The walls of the temple are decorated by pictures that tell stories, arranged in 1,460 panels. The length of each panel reliefs of Borobudur approximately two meters. If a series of stories that are arranged in rows, more or less total length can reach 3 km.
Borobudur temple reliefs can be read according clockwise (mapradaksina) -daksina which means east-starts and ends at the door on the east side on every level. Borobudur reliefs placement seems to also follow the sequence that deliberately begins with the most obvious lesson at the foot of the temple, consists of punishment and reward, to the most abstract at the top level of "pleasure" to be Bodhisattvas.
Matra last Borobudur symbolism derived from the series of reliefs-reliefs depicting Buddhist texts, which adorn the walls and the four rectangular foyer. In the first phase of construction of the temple was made of a series of reliefs on foot.
The text described here is taken from Karmavibgangga (the law of cause and effect), such as the depiction of good deeds and virtues, but more focused on the terrible punishments that will be received by those who do evil as killing animals, fighting, or adultery.
The circuit is then covered with an additional hewn stone before completion. The reason this addition, according Dumarcay, relates to arrangements: planners miscalculated the width of the runway is needed to support the temple and had to add a stone, as a result of the first series of reliefs closed. Instead, perhaps, made another relief line on the inside of the fence on the side of the first steps.
The first hall walls are decorated four series of four reliefs: two against a wall and two in the main wall. The second series on the wall guardrail taken from a text titled Jantaka, the story of the birth, contains life stories of Sakyamuni, the Buddha, in various incarnations back before the last birth as a human child. The theme of these stories is that of self-sacrifice as a way to reward and better birth in the next life, to attain nirvana as the ultimate goal.
The lower part of the main wall is decorated again with a series of birth stories. This time it contains scenes of the lives of others besides Sakyamuni have also been enlightened. In contrast to the Theravada Buddhists who believe that only one person attain enlightenment in this day and age, Mahayana Buddhists believe that many people have reached such a level. These texts are called Avadana.
The top of the main wall, the first hall decorated reliefs depicting the life of Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddhartha) during his life as a prince who became a teacher and first. Relief begins with the candidate Buda in heaven before the last reincarnation, and ending with the first sermon in the Deer Park at Benares.
The fifth and final series of three hall occupies the top of Borobudur. Text to be used as a source of inspiration called Gandavyuha. The text contains a story about a young man, the son of a merchant, named Sudhana who moved from one teacher to another teacher in search of enlightenment.
Most of the reliefs show the person is traveling with various vehicles, such as trains and elephants, as well as scenes he knelt respect teachers, Kalayanamitra (good friend), including men, women, children, and the Bodhisattva.
At akhi search, Sudhana accepted in the court of Maitreya, Buddha of the Future, at the peak of Mount Semeru. He was given a teaching again and receive a power saw. The last series on the steps above, take the advanced text, called Bhadacari, contains Sudhana vowed to become Bodhisattvas and follow the trail another one named Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.
The placement of the last series at the very top level of the temple seems to indicate that the text is the most respected by the architects and builders of Borobudur. Sequence relief seems to be designed to encourage the pilgrims to follow the example Sudhana, while at the same time climbing a mountain peak symbol that is depicted as a tool and a source or residence of the highest wisdom.
Borobudur peak in the form of a stupa. The temple consists of six square terrace level, three-level circular hoop (concentric circles) in the form of 10 courtyard that stands on a base measuring 123 x 123 meters on each side with a height of 4 meters.
Building area of 15,129 m2, composed of 55,000 m3 of rock, approximately two million pieces of rocks. Long pieces of stone up to 500 km with the overall weight can reach 1.3 million tons. The average stone size of 25 cm x 10 cm x 15 cm. Temple high above the ground until the end of the 35-meter main stupa-first reaches 42 meters. Borobudur stone structure does not use an adhesive, but the use of the interlock system, the system locks like Lego blocks that can be attached without glue or cement.
Borobudur temple complex has 504 stupa in her. Some researchers believe that Borobudur is the stupa itself, while all other elements-ie stupas smaller, hundreds of statues and thousands of relief-only window dressing, additions without him was this temple will not miss the meaning of the main. Because of lower levels of no more than a basis for decoration that crowned the summit of the building.
This explanation seems less unsustainable levels that are tiered by building terraces classic pre-steps associated with megaliths and may be designed for ceremonies associated with ancestor worship anyway. The architects who designed the temple of Borobudur has taken place-as shown by J. Dumarcay, prepared with landforms terrace steps (step one).
Maybe this place was chosen by chance by the Buddhists and the design of the temple adapted to the shape of the land that already exist solely to save time, but another explanation suggests that the architects Borobudur chose this place precisely in order to associate themselves with a symbolism that has been established in here.
Until now several matters relating to the temple of Borobudur is still a mystery that fascinate. How they prepare and transport the stone, what kind of technology is used and how Relief Borobudur made?
Origins and Traces word "Borobudur"
Borobudur name as a 'real name' for the temple is located in Muntilan, Kab. Magelang (Central Java) is still keeping many interpretations. Generally, the names of the temple is known in Indonesia mostly was "not a" real name or first name may be given.
Lack of resources are up to the hands of the archaeologists, made possible the temples we now know, for naming usually taken from the name of a region or a discovery, a few names take the phenomena seen, and there is also rooted in local tradition.
One opinion states Borobudur origin of the name comes from the word bhudara (mountain). Other opinions that offend the location of the temple of Borobudur, derived from two words namely bara/vihara (monastery) and beduhur. Borobudur means monastery on the hill or a monastery on the high place.
The word "monastery in Budur" further contained in kakawin Prapanca famous works, Nagarakretagama (1365 AD). What is Prapanca mean it's Borobudur? So far not much evidence, because almost certainly many other temples were built on a hill. Tanah Jawi estimated chronicle written beginning of the 18th century, called Borobudur in relation as areas where persitiwa uprising.
Borobudur as the name of the temple as we know it today, was popularized by Raffles (1817) in his book "The History of Java" is said to refer to the name of the area around the temple was standing, the village Boro / Bore. While the term Budur, interpret as "ancient".
J.G. de Casparis (1950) argues that "Budur" comes from the term Bhudhara which means "mountain". His statement is based on inscriptions Karangtengah and Tri Tepusan that provide information about the conferring of the area sima (tax-free land) by Pramudawardhani to maintain Kamulan, Bhumisambhara.
Borobudur and Buddhist
Buddha is a popular religion in Central Java just over a century, began around the year 705 AD to 850 AD. Although the popularity is relatively short, Buddhism has encouraged the development of a number of famous temples. Borobudur, the most famous, is very interesting both for its beauty as well as the information given regarding the evolution of the flow of Buddhist belief in the archipelago.
Borobudur temple development coincided with the powers held by the Java Land Samaratungga king of ancient Mataram, it is no wonder this temple is often associated with it, in other words, Samaratungga is the founder of the temple of Borobudur. It is estimated that the construction of the temple of Borobudur spent half a century, and only really completed during Pramodawardhani.
When Borobudur was built in the 8th century and the 9th, Buddhism is not in a state of calm, but experienced a period of upheaval. Buddhists respect philosophers who have developed a religious theory and a new way, the Indonesian nation must have contributed to the Buddhist concepts in addition to helping spread the thoughts and teachings alone. However, only a few details remaining to address what the contents of these thoughts.
Buddhist teaching center in Java and Sumatra certainly have important literature as elsewhere, but because the material for the writing-especially of papyrus and other materials-perishable, no legacy at all. Only a few short text remains on other materials seta script written long after the heyday of Borobudur, which could give a little clue about the contents of their libraries.
However, Borobudur seems to have been forgotten for centuries. some argue because the political situation at the time, until the occurrence of a disaster. Borobudur was left buried and the surrounding area into a forest that seems devoid of life. The existence of this temple gets the attention of the world community in 1814 when "discovered" the British Governor General of Java at the time, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.
Stages of Construction
Borobudur is actually a skin covering of stone menyelungkupi a hill. Rainwater continued to seep through the cracks almost caused its collapse. Construction of Borobudur Buddhist temple on the hill started third in Java Hinduism is still growing very rapidly. Therefore, the stupa at the top of the pyramid can be interpreted as a guide icon to the pre-classical classics.
Borobudur development which takes about 50 years, during which the design changes. In the first stage may begin around the year 780 AD. A small apartment layout consists of three steps then built at the top made another apartment layout but destroyed back. At first it might be designed like a pyramid staircase.
In the second phase Borobudur foundation performed dilation and plus two square steps and one step round. The stairs of the temple grounds to be replaced and expanded, so that the original foot becomes hidden. In the third stage, more basic changes made. Steps up round is removed and replaced with the steps round three. Stupa also built on top of the building.
In the latter stages, only made small changes, including the addition of relief and changes stairs and arches that are above the stairwell door. Nonetheless, the symbol of the temple remains the same and the changes made are more ornaments to beautify the temple.
Arca and Mandala
Statues found in the temple complex totaling approximately 504 units. Merging ornament in Borobudur not limited to the two styles. Plan of the temple, when viewed from above, clearly forming a mandala pattern. Mandala is a diagram of the placement of the gods at certain places to form a ring or a circle with a center. The diagram of many kinds (more than 2,000) and versatile, including functions such as helping meditation, and outlines a sacred place that forbid evil forces entered.
Borobudur has six different types of Buddha statues. In the east, there are three rows of terraced wall seating Buda statue in Bumisparsamudra (gesture indicating conquer imaginary). In the south there are three rows of statues in Varamudra (Attitude Amal), the west, walkin sculpture series shows Dhyanamudra (meditate), while in the north the attitude Abhaamudra (dissipate fears).
Fourth row on all sides depict Buda in Vitarkamudra (attitude gave the Sermon). After this level there are three steps round topped with perforated stupas in which there are Buda-Buda in dharmacakramudra.
This position symbolizes Sakyamuni first sermon in the Deer Park at Benares. One of the unsolved mysteries of Borobudur is that which is already known in other places. Buda does not establish any mandala.
Reliefs and Storytelling
The walls of the temple are decorated by pictures that tell stories, arranged in 1,460 panels. The length of each panel reliefs of Borobudur approximately two meters. If a series of stories that are arranged in rows, more or less total length can reach 3 km.
Borobudur temple reliefs can be read according clockwise (mapradaksina) -daksina which means east-starts and ends at the door on the east side on every level. Borobudur reliefs placement seems to also follow the sequence that deliberately begins with the most obvious lesson at the foot of the temple, consists of punishment and reward, to the most abstract at the top level of "pleasure" to be Bodhisattvas.
Matra last Borobudur symbolism derived from the series of reliefs-reliefs depicting Buddhist texts, which adorn the walls and the four rectangular foyer. In the first phase of construction of the temple was made of a series of reliefs on foot.
The text described here is taken from Karmavibgangga (the law of cause and effect), such as the depiction of good deeds and virtues, but more focused on the terrible punishments that will be received by those who do evil as killing animals, fighting, or adultery.
The circuit is then covered with an additional hewn stone before completion. The reason this addition, according Dumarcay, relates to arrangements: planners miscalculated the width of the runway is needed to support the temple and had to add a stone, as a result of the first series of reliefs closed. Instead, perhaps, made another relief line on the inside of the fence on the side of the first steps.
The first hall walls are decorated four series of four reliefs: two against a wall and two in the main wall. The second series on the wall guardrail taken from a text titled Jantaka, the story of the birth, contains life stories of Sakyamuni, the Buddha, in various incarnations back before the last birth as a human child. The theme of these stories is that of self-sacrifice as a way to reward and better birth in the next life, to attain nirvana as the ultimate goal.
The lower part of the main wall is decorated again with a series of birth stories. This time it contains scenes of the lives of others besides Sakyamuni have also been enlightened. In contrast to the Theravada Buddhists who believe that only one person attain enlightenment in this day and age, Mahayana Buddhists believe that many people have reached such a level. These texts are called Avadana.
The top of the main wall, the first hall decorated reliefs depicting the life of Shakyamuni (Gautama Siddhartha) during his life as a prince who became a teacher and first. Relief begins with the candidate Buda in heaven before the last reincarnation, and ending with the first sermon in the Deer Park at Benares.
The fifth and final series of three hall occupies the top of Borobudur. Text to be used as a source of inspiration called Gandavyuha. The text contains a story about a young man, the son of a merchant, named Sudhana who moved from one teacher to another teacher in search of enlightenment.
Most of the reliefs show the person is traveling with various vehicles, such as trains and elephants, as well as scenes he knelt respect teachers, Kalayanamitra (good friend), including men, women, children, and the Bodhisattva.
At akhi search, Sudhana accepted in the court of Maitreya, Buddha of the Future, at the peak of Mount Semeru. He was given a teaching again and receive a power saw. The last series on the steps above, take the advanced text, called Bhadacari, contains Sudhana vowed to become Bodhisattvas and follow the trail another one named Samantabhadra Bodhisattva.
The placement of the last series at the very top level of the temple seems to indicate that the text is the most respected by the architects and builders of Borobudur. Sequence relief seems to be designed to encourage the pilgrims to follow the example Sudhana, while at the same time climbing a mountain peak symbol that is depicted as a tool and a source or residence of the highest wisdom.