The Three Buddhist Sanctuary
Welcome to Chandi Borobudur which is one of the sacred buildings of Buddhism as a World Cultural Heritage site. The splendor and beauty of the aesthetic values of Borobudur and its area make all eyes amazed and inspired by this building. The architectural techniques displayed by Borobudur have their own noble and historical meaning for Indonesian people.
Chandi Borobudur and its area attract extraordinary enthusiasm for traveling and visiting on thematic tours, which aim to get to know and study the historical narrative and architecture of this monument more closely. The Indonesian government has designated Chandi Borobudur as a cultural heritage that has a tourist attraction, and has become a priority tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors.
Enjoy thematic tours, explore historical narratives, the existence of Chandi Borobudur and its area as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Admiring the splendor and beauty of Borobudur's architecture following a thematic tour is an appreciation and participation in maintaining and preserving the ancestral cultural heritage of Chandi Borobudur. Exploring Chandi Borobudur and its area as well as other Buddhist temples, learning the concept of Baudhapatha.
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Imaginary corridors (Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut). Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
Step into Borobudur
Borobudur Temple is a world cultural heritage site, the largest Buddhist temple in the world located in Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The location of the temple is approximately 99 kilometers southwest of Semarang, 86 kilometers west of Surakarta, and 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta City.
Borobudur is located on a hill surrounded by two pairs of mountains; Mount Sundoro–Sumbing to the northwest and Merbabu–Merapi to the northeast, to the north is the Tidar hill, and to the south is the Menoreh hill range, and is located near the confluence of two rivers; Progo River and Elo River to the east.
Borobudur is a Buddhist temple or shrine in the form of a stupa which was founded by followers of Mahayana Buddhism around 800 AD during the reign of the Syailendra dynasty. The monument consists of six square terraces topped with three circular courtyards. The walls are decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally there were 504 Buddha statues. Borobudur has the most complete and largest collection of Buddhist reliefs in the world.
The largest main stupa is located in the center and crowns this building, surrounded by three circular rows of 72 perforated stupas in which there is a Buddha statue sitting cross-legged in a perfect lotus position with the Dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma). The monument is a model of the universe and was built as a holy place to glorify Buddha as well as functioning as a place of pilgrimage to guide mankind from the realm of worldly desires to enlightenment and wisdom according to Buddhist teachings.
Pilgrims enter through the east side, beginning their ritual at the base of the temple, walking clockwise around the sacred structure, ascending to the next level through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology: Kamadhatu (the realm of desire), Rupadhatu (the realm of form), and Arupadhatu (the realm of formlessness).
On their journey, pilgrims navigate a series of corridors and staircases, witnessing no fewer than 1,460 beautiful relief panels carved into the walls and balustrades.
Historically, Borobudur was abandoned in the 14th century as the influence of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms in Java weakened and Islam entered the country. The world began to recognize its significance after its discovery in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British Governor-General of Java.
Borobudur has undergone a series of rescue and restoration efforts, the largest of which was carried out between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO. This historic site was subsequently inscribed on the World Heritage List.
Borobudur World Heritage Site
Borobudur is included in the Cultural criteria;
(i) "represents a masterpiece of human creativity",
(ii) "shows important exchanges in human values over time within a cultural region of the world, in architectural and technological development, monumental art, urban planning and landscape design", and
(vi) "is directly and clearly connected with an event or living tradition, with an idea or with a belief, with a work of artistic art and a literary work of extraordinary universal significance".
Three Buddhist Temples
Borobudur as a sacred temple is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, located in Indonesia. Many historians have put forward theories about the early history of ancient Javanese cultural civilization and the construction of Borobudur, especially during the Hindu and Buddhist eras. Indian culture that entered Indonesia had quite an influence on religious life and became the background for the existence of the ruling kingdoms on the island of Java at that time.
According to Javanese legend, the area known as the Kedu Plain is a place that is considered sacred in Javanese belief and is revered as the 'Garden of Java Island' because of its natural beauty and fertility of the land.
Apart from Borobudur, there are several Buddhist and Hindu temples in this area. During the discovery and restoration period at the beginning of the 20th century, other Buddhist temples were also discovered, namely Mendut Temple and Pawon Temple which stretched straight. Initially it was thought to be just a coincidence, but based on local folklore, there used to be a stone-paved road fenced with balustrades on both sides that connected these three temples.There is no physical evidence of a paved and fenced road and perhaps this is just a fairy tale, but experts suspect that there is indeed a symbolic unity of the three temples. These three temples (Borobudur-Pawon-Mendut) have similar architectural styles and decorations and indeed come from the same time period, thus strengthening the suspicion that there is a ritual connection between these three temples, but how the religious pilgrimage ritual process is carried out is not yet known for certain.
Apart from the Mendut and Pawon temples, several ancient relics were found around Borobudur, including various pottery finds such as pots and jugs which show that there used to be several residential areas around Borobudur. Ancient finds around Borobudur are now stored in the Borobudur Museum, which is to the north of Borobudur temple. Not far to the north of Pawon Temple were found the ruins of a former Hindu temple called Banon Temple. In this temple, several statues of the main Hindu gods were found in fairly good condition, namely Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma and Ganesha. However, very few original stones from Banon Temple have been found.
Paying attention to the three Buddhist temple buildings, namely Borobudur, Pawon, and Mendut, if you look closely, the three temples have the same background as Buddhist temples, are similar in architecture and a variety of decorative images, and all three have a relationship with one another. Explaining the existence of the Ngawen temple, it is assumed that at first glance the temple has closeness or connection with three other temples, it is assumed that the Ngawen temple is one unit with the Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut temples.
No physical evidence of a stone-paved road with balustrades has been found, and it may be a myth. However, experts suspect there is indeed a symbolic unity among these three temples. These three temples (Borobudur, Pawon, and Mendut) share similar architectural styles and decorative motifs and date from the same period, strengthening the suspicion of a ritual connection between them. However, how the religious pilgrimage rituals were performed remains uncertain.
In addition to the Mendut and Pawon temples, several ancient relics have been discovered around Borobudur, including various pottery finds such as pots and jugs, indicating that Borobudur once housed several residential areas. These archaeological finds are now housed in the Borobudur Museum, located north of the temple, adjacent to the Samudra Raksa Museum.
Kala Makara carved gate -- Relief wall corridor -- Pilgrimage ritual process
Not far north of Pawon Temple are the ruins of a Hindu temple called Banon Temple. Within this temple, several statues of the main Hindu gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, and Ganesha, are found in relatively good condition.
Several expert opinions and explanations regarding the road connecting the three temples (Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut), state that the three temples are located on a straight line, according to Wirjosoeparto, Bernet Kempers and Soekmono. According to Bernet Kempers and Soekmono, both of them explained about the imaginary corridor that based on the stories of residents around Borobudur, there used to be a stone-paved road from Mendut Temple to Borobudur Temple, but there are no longer many traces of this stone-paved road.
All three have Mahayana Buddhist backgrounds, according to de Casparis. De Casparis said, in connection with the information written in the Karangtengah inscription of 824 AD, he explained that in the description of the inscription it was stated that there were two Mahayana Buddhist kings who ruled in Central Java at the end of the 8th century to the mid-9th century AD. The two kings, namely Indra and Samarattungga, the meaning of the word 'samarattungga' is skilled and proficient in war. King Indra then built a sacred building which was named Wenuwana which means 'bamboo forest' which according to De Casparis, this building was none other than Mendut Temple. King Indra who had built this holy temple had the aim of being a way to ascend to the tenth level of Bhoddhisattva (Dasaboddhisattwabhummi).
In Hinayana Buddhism, the aim of Buddhists in worship is for their own needs so that they can escape from samsara and enter Nirvana. In contrast to Mahayana Buddhism where the goal of entering Nirvana is postponed first, someone who has reached the highest level of Buddhahood does not immediately enter Nirvana, but will try to help other people to enter Nirvana together. Therefore, it is explained that the Wenuwana building or Mendut Temple is a symbol of the teachings of Mahakaruna, namely the great love for humans, namely from King Indra to his people.
According to R.M. Soetjipto Wirjosoeparto believes that in Mahayana Buddhism there are two important concepts, namely Lokottara and Laukika. A person who will become a Buddha must first go through two paths in the world, and the two paths found at the Laukika level, are Sambharamarga and Prayogamarga. Lokottara is the world above the human world, namely the world of the gods which consists of 10 levels of Buddhahood or Dasabhoddhisattwabhumi.
The three temples are decorated with architectural components and ornaments that have the same shape, for example the shape of Hiranyagarbha, Kalpalata, Kalpataru tree, celestial beings, etc., according to Bernet Kempers.
The main stairs to Borobudur Temple are on the East side, in that direction there are Pawon and Mendut Temples, so it seems as if they are facing that direction with the aim of welcoming the arrival of pilgrims in the past from the direction of Borobudur, Mendut and Pawon temples, this view according to Munandar.
These three temples are the result of Sailendrawangsa art, so the conclusion is that these three temples in particular have the distinction of being Bauddha temples which have the characteristics of terraced walls decorated with relief carvings. This relief is found in the Pawon, Mendut, Sajiwan and Banyunibo temples. The outer walls of the Bauddha temple are not equipped with niches, which is different from those found in Hindu temples. The walls of the temple, especially the body part, are always beautified with decorations in the form of reliefs such as Apsara, Bhoddhisattwa, or heavenly/celestial beings.
In general, temples that have rooms are usually equipped with ventilation holes or windows. In this room there is an altar or serving place for placing statues that lean against the back wall. Basically, the temple containing this statue has characteristics related to the statues from the Sailendrawangsa art period. These statues have the characteristic of depicting a proportional form, because the human form is an attempt at personification that is close to perfect.
Depictions of ornamental decorations such as necklaces, ear ornaments, bracelets, shoulder rings and crowns are made in the form of fine carvings with a harmonious composition. The facial shapes of statues and reliefs are always depicted as sweet and calm, even though god figures generally have a character that is depicted as fierce, shown by the number of hands of more than four, and various decorations that are haunted, such as the shape of a skull. The appearance of the statues and reliefs gives the impression of life, because they have high aesthetic value. Perhaps adapted to the concept of flexibility and beauty which is famous in Ancient Indian art, Sad-Angga.
The pattern or model displayed on the Sailendrawangsa reliefs as a sign of the high aesthetic value of Borobudur relief art. These reliefs always have an aesthetic power that is found in a naturalistic nature that is close to perfection. These reliefs are made and depicted with great detail and accuracy, and are full of serenity. The depiction of the clothing patterns of various characters in the story is adjusted to their aesthetics, such as simple clothes remaining beautiful and luxurious clothes becoming more beautiful. Successfully displays feelings that match the characteristics of the character depicted, such as feelings of sadness, happiness, friendship, loyalty, fear, support, hostility and so on.
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Chandi Borobudur Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Techniqu Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo at arisguide. |
Baudhapatha
Patha is a path traversed by priests, monks and pilgrims when religious processions are held. Bauddha means Buddhist. So the meaning of Bauddhapatha is a path for religious processions that are or related to Buddhism (Mahayana).
Bauddhapatha Three Temples
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Imaginary corridors (Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut). Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. This building is designed with Javanese and Buddhist architectural forms that combine native Indonesian culture, namely ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana.
This building has a Gupta art style that reflects Indian influences at that time, but quite a lot of traditions and traditional elements are included to make Borobudur a typical Indonesian temple.
Borobudur as a sacred building was built to glorify Buddha and also as a place of pilgrimage for Buddhist monks. The pradaksina journey starts from the ground floor and follows a path through corridors decorated with reliefs on the walls and balustrades on each terrace, then climbs upwards through three levels of the realm of Buddhist cosmological symbols. The three realms in Buddhist cosmology are Kamadhatu (world of desire), Rupadhatu (world of form) and Arupadhatu (world without form).
Borobudur Temple guides pilgrims up the spacious stairs and corridors by viewing a series of 1,460 relief story narratives on every wall and balustrade. Borobudur has one of the most beautiful and complete story reliefs, namely the Buddha story relief.
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| Mendut Temple. |
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Pawon Temple. Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
Mendut Temple
This building is a symbol of the Sambharamarga concept. There is Hiranyagarbha who has human form with a Kalpalata decoration coming out of his head. Hiranyagarbha has a human form with Kalpalata decoration appearing on his head.
Pawon Temple
One of several Buddhist temples, it is a small temple that has many features, in understanding the most basic concepts of Buddhism.
Basic Concepts of Buddhism
Explaining the depiction of the most basic concepts in Buddhism is Catur Aryasatyani. Understanding the basic concepts of Buddhism are as follows;
Dukha is suffering, life is suffering, getting older is suffering, getting something that doesn't meet your expectations is suffering, so in short, life is suffering.
Samudaya is the cause, all suffering has a cause. Someone feels suffering because someone never feels satisfied with what they get, what they have or enjoy, someone will always feel "thirst", desire and desire (trsna) which is the cause of suffering.
Nirodha means extinguishing or eliminating all desires, suppressing, denying, throwing away these desires, and not giving place to all desires.
Marga is the way of kalepasan which consists of eight ways (Astawidha), namely (1) having the right belief, (2) having the right intention, (3) conveying the right speech, (4) doing the right thing, (5) living the right life, (6) right effort, (7) right memory, and (8) right Samadhi.
The basic concepts of Buddhism according to R.M. Soetjipto Wirjosoeparto is Catur Arya Satyani who states that life is suffering (dukha), suffering because of trsna (thirst), trsna (samudhaya), trsna can be oppressed (nirodha), with 8 paths of truth (marga). Astavidha is the path of truth which consists of right view, right intention, right speech, right behavior, right livelihood, right effort, right attention and right meditation.
NGawen Temple
It is also one unit with three temples (Borobudur, Pawon, and Mendut), because there is some evidence that provides arguments and opinions about the closeness or connection with these three temples.
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Ngawen Temples. Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
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Ngawen Temple. Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
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Ngawen Temples. Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
Ngawen Temple is parallel to Borobudur, Pawon and Mendut. If the virtual line connecting these three temples is continued eastward, it will reach Ngawen Temple. This temple is at the easternmost point and faces east.
Ngawen Temple has a Mahayana Buddhist religious background. In this building there are statues, such as one of the statues of Tathagata Ratnasambhawa which is no longer intact in the Ngawen II Temple room which was once restored. The style and model of the enshrined Buddha statue is similar to the Buddha statue found in Borobudur, such as the sitting posture, careful workmanship, and smooth surface.
Ngawen II Temple has the same architectural components as Borobudur and Mendut Temples, this building has a ledge that surrounds the edge of the pradaksinapatha. The balustrades at Borobudur are relatively high, the inner walls are even decorated with story reliefs, and the balustrades at Mendut Temple are around 100 cm high, whereas at Ngawen II Temple there are not many found and only a few stone structures remain at the base.
At the foot of Ngawen II Temple and the ruins of other temples at Ngawen Temple there is a "jagged seam" shape, the same as that found in Borobudur and Mendut Temples. The “jagged layer” looks like a row of small cubes emerging from the wall at the foot of the temple. The size of the "serrated seams" at Borobudur is larger than similar seams at Mendut and Ngawen temples.
Catur Arya Satyani is applied to four temples, namely Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut and Ngawen, each of which has symbolic significance and significance. Ngawen Temple is a symbol of Dukha, Mendut Temple is a symbol of Samudaya, Pawon Temple is a symbol of Nirodha, and Borobudur Temple is a symbol of Astavidha.
These four temples are actually depictions of Catur Arya Satyani in the form of sacred buildings, of course in each sacred building there will be elements stored in forms such as architecture, decoration, statues, or others which are actually symbols of one Arya Satyani. (Munandar 2009).
Bauddhapatha is interpreted as a ceremonial road that connects the four temples and has two interpretations. Bauddhapatha, which is based on the teachings of Lokottara and Laukika, will connect the three temples, namely Mendut, Pawon and Borobudur, the ceremonial procession starts from Mendut Temple and ends at Borobudur. Bauddhapatha, which is based on the teachings of Catur Arya Satyani, will connect the four temples, namely Ngawen, Mendut, Pawon and Borobudur Temples, with the procession starting from Ngawen Temple.
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Bauddhapatha (Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut and Ngawen Temples). Source: Guiding Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Photo arisguide. |
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Explaining the second opinion seems more acceptable, that it is true that Ngawen Temple is included in a series of temples, because each temple marks the boundaries of the world level known in Mahayana Buddhism. There are several things that say that the Ngawen enshrinement area to Mendut Temple is a symbol of Kamawacara, namely the realm of life that is still filled with lust, desire and all other worldly desires.
Explaining that the area between Mendut Temple and Pawon Temple is a symbol of Rupawacara, namely the world of humans who have succeeded in suppressing all desires, desires, and living in religious virtue. Meanwhile, the area between Pawon Temple and Borobudur is the Arupawacara area, which is actually a world without form and empty emptiness.
Of course, someone can achieve this world if they have practiced Buddhadharma in accordance with Buddha's teachings. If only three temples are linked, namely Borobudur, Pawon, and Mendut, then the division of the imaginary discourse area is incomplete, because Ngawen Temple is not included.
Religious ceremonies at Borobudur Temple and the surrounding supporting temples (Pawon, Mendut, and Ngawen) have been integrated into the Mahayana Buddhist system of ceremonies and worship rituals. The four buildings are united in a religious procession which starts from Ngawen Temple, Mendut, Pawon, and ends at Borobudur.
Environment of Buddhist Temples
Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide.
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| Welcome to Borobudur Temple |
Welcome to Borobudur.
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo at arisguide.
Exploring the narrative about Chandi Borobudur in a thematic tour is really fun by visiting and making your tour more complete, explore in more detail the thematic narrative of Borobudur's cultural heritage with Pamong Carita.
Stepping on Borobudur
History states that Chandi Borobudur is located right on a hill and was built in the middle of several mountains and hills. Looking to the west there are Mount Sundoro and Mount Sumbing. To the east are Mount Merbabu and Merapi. Looking to the north, approximately 15 kilometers from Borobudur is the Tidar hill, and to the south it is bordered by the Menoreh hills. Borobudur is located at the confluence of two rivers, namely Progo and Elo, which are located to the east.
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| Borobudur Main Stupa |
Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo arisguide.
Read the narrative about Chandi Borobudur in several titles and topics in this blog article, by visiting and making your tour even more enjoyable, explore in more detail the thematic narrative of Borobudur culture with Pamong Carita.
Get reading material about Chandi Borobudur in Barabudur atau Borobudur, Candi Buddha Pusaka Budaya Indonesia.
Explore and get to know more about ancestral cultural heritage in KEBUDAYAAN BOROBUDUR - BELAJAR DENGAN PEMANDU WISATA.
Reading is more fun, explore thematic tourist narratives in more detail with Pamong Carita in KEBUDAYAAN BOROBUDUR - BELAJAR DENGAN PAMONG CARITA.
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Borobudur Story relief walls The beauty of the relief carvings of the Borobudur story on the walls and balustrades. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo. |
Reading the history and architecture and fine arts of Borobudur will be more fun, digging into the narrative in more detail and reading in English is indeed fun and also seems very interesting to translate into easy and flexible language, get detailed reading at Welcome to Borobudur Temple, the fabric of life in the Buddhist culture.
Explore, admire the beauty of fine art in images and photos at PHOTO IMAGE BOROBUDUR.
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Stupas of Borobudur |
Chandi Borobudur is located on a hill, surrounded by mountains and hills. Looking to the west there are Mount Sundoro and Sumbing. To the east are Mount Merbabu and Merapi. Looking to the north, approximately 15 kilometers there is the Tidar hill, and to the south it is bordered by the Menoreh hills. Borobudur is located at the confluence of two rivers, namely Progo and Elo, which are located to the east. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo at arisguide.
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Welcome to Borobudur Temple Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a 9th–century Mahayana Buddhist temple, which consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide. |
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Chandi Borobudur is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo at arisguide. |
arisguide
Its fun on the temple trip with me.
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