Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is a Buddhist monument and is the grandest stupa complex world that is recognized by UNESCO. Borobudur Temple building as a whole will be a gallery of the masterpieces of the stonecutter.

Long before Angkor Wat in Cambodia stands and the great cathedrals in Europe, Borobudur has stood proudly in the land of Java. Building called the UNESCO as a monument and a complex of the grandest and largest stupa in the world visited by pilgrims in the middle of the 9th century until the early 11th century. Buddhists who want to get enlightened flock from India, Cambodia, Tibet, and China. Not only is magnificent and large, wall carvings Borobudur filled 2672 relief panels which, when arranged in rows will reach a length of 6 km! It is touted as the largest ensemble of Buddhist reliefs and most comprehensive in the world, unsurpassed in artistic value.

Reliefs carved on the wall of the temple is divided into 4 main story that is Karmawibangga, Lalita Wistara, Jataka and Awadana, and Gandawyuda. In addition to telling about the life of the Buddha and his teachings, the relief also record the progress of the Java community at that time. Evidence that the ancestors of the Indonesian nation is an accomplished sailor and respite can be seen in 10 relief ships. One of the relief ship used as a model in making replica ship used to sail The Cinnamon Route from Java to the African continent. Currently referred to as a replica of the ship that was stored in the Borobudur Ship Museum Samudra Mercury.

To follow the thread of the fabric of the story carved on the walls of the temple, visitors must walk clockwise around the temple, known as the term circumambulation. Enter through the east door, walk clockwise to the position of the temple is always there on the right, until arriving at the east stairs and stepped up to the next level. This is done repeatedly until all levels of passes and be on top of the main stupa shaped temple. At the top, lift up the views in all directions it will be seen rows of Menoreh Hills, Mount Sindoro, Sumbing, Mount Merapi, and Merbabu that stands around the temple. Mountains and hills as if a guard which shields the existence of Borobudur.

Based on the inscription dated 26 May 824, Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga between the 8th century to the 9th century, together with the Application and the kitchen. The development process lasted for 75 years under the leadership of architect copyright. Although not familiar with computers and other advanced equipment, capable of applying copyright interlock system in the construction of the temple. A total of 60,000 cubic meters of stones totaling 2 million blocks of stone were brought from the Elo and the Progo sculpted and assembled into a giant puzzle that covers a small hill to form Borobudur.

Borobudur is not only has a very high artistic value, masterpiece which is the evidence of human civilization in the past is also loaded with philosophical value. Carrying the concept of a mandala symbolizes the universe cosmology in Buddhism, this magnificent building is divided into three levels, namely world passion or lust (Kamadhatu), the world of form (rupadhatu), and a world without form (Arupadhatu). When viewed from a height, like fried lotus Borobudur Temple on the hill. The walls of the temple which is in the level Kamadatu and Rupadatu as flower petals, while a row of circular stupa at the Arupadatu into stamens. Parent stupa symbolizes the Buddha, so the whole Borobudur depict Buddha was sitting on lotus petals.

Enjoy the grandeur of Borobudur is not only enough to walk down the aisle and up to the top level of the temple. One thing to look out is witnessing Borobudur Borobudur Sunrise and Sunset from the top of the temple. Spray of the morning sun hit the stupas and statues of Buddha made ​​the majesty and grandeur of the temple is more pronounced. While standing on top of the temple at dusk along a row of stupas and watched the sun slowly began to shade will create a feeling of calm and peace.