Indonesia is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Buddhist monument of Borobudur. Although this monument is not one of the most widely known wonders of the globe it clearly represents a pinnacle of both architectural development and religious worship. Created between the seventh and eighth centuries by the people of the Sailendra Dynasty, Borobudur remains a spectacle of awe and inspiration. With the realization that Borobudur has such significance for both the Buddhist religion and travelers from all over the globe, there is a clear impetus to better understand this wonder and its purpose and meaning. Using this as a basis for investigation, this research considers an overview of the temple, and its history and meaning. Through a careful consideration for the Borobudur, it will be possible to provide a more integral understanding of the overall significance of this temple.Location and Environment.In order to begin this investigation, it is first helpful to consider both the location and environment of the Borobudur monument.
[...] The Gandayuha is based on the Mahayayana text, the Bhadrucari. Conclusion When the data presented in this investigation is synthesized overall, it becomes quite evident that the Chandi Borobudur is indeed one of the most complex, enigmatic and magnificent creations in the world. Although this research provides a broad overview of the some of the most notable features of the monument, the extent of the architecture and history that surrounds this monument is far more complex than what is presented here. The Chandi Borobudur provides us with a look [...]
[...] “Hindu and Buddhist sanctuaries were, so to speak, packed together within a radius of less than three kilometers from the point where the two Kedu rivers meet” (p. 2). Although many of the Hindu temples have been destroyed, many of the Buddhist temples remain in tact, preserved throughout the ages. Buddhism in Java With a basic overview of the location and environment of the temple provided, it is now possible to consider the Buddhist religion on the island of Java. As noted above, the Buddhist temples on the island were well preserved when compared to their Hindu counterparts. [...]
[...] Specifically, the Borobudur has been labeled a mandala, which means circle in Sanskrit (Borobudur, Indonesia, 2006). mandala was originally a diagram of the universe, etched into the ground, a piece of fabric, or sometimes a sculpture, using square shapes to symbolize the earth and all earthly creation, and circles to signify the visible heavens.” The mandala was supposed to “teach men to follow the Buddhist path toward perfection and harmony” (Borobudur, Indonesia, 2006). The Reliefs While the architectural history and symbolic meaning of the Borobudur monument are important to understanding the true magnificence of this structure, the reliefs that were carved in the monument also play an important role in understanding the meaning and purpose of this structure. [...]
[...] The Monument Despite the fact that the Buddhist religion remains somewhat diminutive in Indonesia, interest in the Chandi Borobudur continues to fuel research and understanding of this monument. With this in mind, it now possible to examine the monument and its meaning. Specifically, it is important to consider the architectural history of the monument, the development of the mountain and the symbolic meaning of the temple. Monument with a Message Reviewing what has been written about the history of the Chandi Borobudur, it becomes evident that very little is known about the development of this monument. [...]
[...] Borobudur as a Mountain, Stupa and Mandala As noted earlier, the Chandi Borobudur is not a temple in the traditional sense of the word. Because the monument has no inner space, worshippers cannot enter inside the structure to pray (Borobudur, Indonesia, 2006). The unique design of the Borobudur makes it an enigma for many scholars. For this reason, the monument has been classified in a number of different ways. For instance, scholars note that the title of the Sailendra Dynasty when translated is “king of the mountain” (Borobudur, Indonesia, 2006). [...]
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