An Ancient Pyramid? The World’s Largest Buddhist Temple: Borobudur, Indonesia | Ancient Architects

Ancient Architects

4 Apr 202109:02

Summary

TLDRDiscover the ancient marvel of Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple in Java, Indonesia, built between 760 and 830 A.D. during the Sailendra Dynasty. This architectural wonder features nine stacked platforms adorned with 2672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, symbolizing Buddhist cosmology. Experience the temple's historical significance, intricate design, and its role in modern tourism, all narrated with a focus on the temple's cultural and spiritual essence.

Takeaways

🏛️ Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple located in Central Java, Indonesia, likely built between 760 and 830 A.D.
👑 The temple was possibly constructed under the order of King Borobudur during the Sailendra Dynasty's rule.
🛠️ The temple is made up of nine stacked platforms with intricate stonework, using knobs, indentations, and dovetails without mortar.
🎨 It features 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues, with 72 surrounding a central dome, each seated inside a perforated stupa.
🌀 The design of Borobudur resembles a step pyramid and a giant tantric Buddhist mandala, symbolizing Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind.
🏞️ The temple's location is between two volcanoes and two rivers, in a region known for its agricultural fertility and sacredness.
📚 Borobudur has the largest and most complete ensembles of Buddhist reliefs, with narrative panels decorating its walls and balustrades.
🏗️ The temple underwent extensive excavation and restoration, notably a major project by UNESCO and the Indonesian government from 1975 to 1982.
🏆 It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledging its cultural and historical significance.
🚫 Despite its importance, Borobudur has faced looting, with some artifacts now displayed in museums, including the National Museum in Bangkok.
🌄 The temple's history and construction are not fully understood, and it retains a 'wow factor' as one of the greatest archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.

Q & A

What is the name of the ancient temple in Central Java, Indonesia, discussed in the script?
-The ancient temple discussed in the script is Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple.
When was Borobudur likely built and during which dynasty's rule?
-Borobudur was likely built between 760 and 830 A.D. during the Sailendra Dynasty's rule over the Mataram Kingdom.
Who is believed to have been responsible for the construction of Borobudur according to folklore?
-According to folklore, someone named Gunadama was responsible for the construction of Borobudur.
How many stack platforms does Borobudur consist of, and what are their shapes?
-Borobudur consists of nine stack platforms, six of which are square and three are circular.
How many relief panels and Buddha statues are there in Borobudur, and what is special about the 72 Buddha statues surrounding the central dome?
-Borobudur is decorated with 2672 relief panels and 504 statues of Buddha, with 72 of them seated inside a perforated stupa surrounding the central dome.
What is unique about the construction technique used in Borobudur?
-The construction technique used in Borobudur is unique in that each block of stone was laid down without any mortar, using knobs, indentations, and dovetails to give the structure precise joints and structural integrity.
Why was a comprehensive drainage system incorporated into Borobudur's design?
-A comprehensive drainage system was incorporated into Borobudur's design because certain areas of the temple are prone to stormwater runoff.
What does the temple's design and iconography suggest about its cultural influences?
-The temple's design and iconography suggest cultural influences from both the Indonesian indigenous cult of ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining nirvana, as well as influences from Gupta art, indicating the region's historical connection with India.
What are the three symbolic levels that a pilgrim ascends through in Borobudur, and what do they represent in Buddhist cosmology?
-The three symbolic levels a pilgrim ascends through are Kamadatu (the world of desire), Rupadatu (the world of forms), and Arupadatu (the world of formlessness), representing stages in Buddhist cosmology.
What happened to Borobudur after the decline of the Hindu kingdoms of Java in the 14th century and the Javanese conversion to Islam in the 15th century?
-After the decline of the Hindu kingdoms of Java and the Javanese conversion to Islam, Borobudur was abandoned, neglected, and hidden under layers of volcanic ash and jungle overgrowth.
When was there a renewed interest in Borobudur, and who was instrumental in its rediscovery?
-There was a renewed interest in Borobudur in 1814 when native Indonesians told the British ruler of Java, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, of its location, leading to its rediscovery.
What significant restoration project took place at Borobudur, and which organizations were involved?
-The largest restoration project at Borobudur took place between 1975 and 1982, conducted by UNESCO in collaboration with the Indonesian government.
What natural disaster affected Borobudur in 2010, and how was the temple protected afterward?
-The eruption of Mount Merapi in 2010 affected Borobudur by covering it with a layer of ash up to 2.5 centimeters thick and destroying the surrounding vegetation. Thanks to a 3 million donation from UNESCO, the site was cleaned, and thousands of stone blocks had to be dismantled to restore the drainage system to ensure the monument's survival.
What is the significance of the positioning of Borobudur and the two other Buddhist temples in the region?
-Borobudur and the two other Buddhist temples in the region are positioned in a straight line, implying a possible ritual landscape and a relationship between the three temples, although the exact nature of this relationship is unknown.
What hypothesis was developed by Dutch artist and scholar WoJ Newen Camp regarding Borobudur's construction and its symbolic representation?
-WoJ Newen Camp developed a hypothesis that the plane on which the structure sits was once a winter lake, and once built, the Borobudur temple represented a lotus flower floating on the lake.
What evidence suggests that Borobudur was not always the dark grey mass of volcanic stone that it appears today?
-There is evidence that Borobudur was painted, with red, green, blue, and black pigments discovered, as well as pieces of gold foil, suggesting that the structure was likely coated with white plaster and then painted with bright colors.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 The Majestic Borobudur: World's Largest Buddhist Temple

This paragraph introduces the ancient temple of Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia, recognized as the world's largest Buddhist temple, likely constructed between 760 and 830 A.D. during the Sailendra Dynasty's rule. The temple, possibly commissioned by King Gunadama, consists of nine stacked platforms with intricate decorations including 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Borobudur is designed as a single giant stupa, resembling a step pyramid from the outside but forming a tantric Buddhist mandala from above, symbolizing Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind. The construction technique involved precise stone-cutting and fitting without mortar, with a comprehensive drainage system featuring 100 unique spouts. The temple's name origins are uncertain, with early references appearing in Raffles' book on Javanese history. The architectural style blends traditional Javanese Buddhist elements with Indian Gupta art influences, making Borobudur a distinctly Indonesian monument. It serves as an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage, with pilgrims ascending through symbolic levels of cosmology represented by the temple's structure.

05:02

🏞️ Borobudur's Heritage and Restoration: Challenges and Preservation

The second paragraph delves into Borobudur's recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the challenges it has faced, including looting and natural disasters. It highlights the temple's historical significance, its looted artifacts now displayed in museums, and the natural setting between two volcanoes and rivers, contributing to its sacred status. The 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi affected Borobudur, but thanks to a 3 million donation from UNESCO, the site was cleaned and restored. The paragraph also discusses the archaeological speculation about a possible ritual landscape involving three Buddhist temples in a straight line and the hypothesis that Borobudur represented a lotus flower on a lake. The temple's bedrock hill location and its visual impact as a beacon of Buddhism are noted. The paragraph concludes with the temple's current state as a major tourist attraction in Indonesia, its past painted appearance, and the ongoing efforts in restoration and preservation, inviting viewers to appreciate this ancient architectural marvel.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Ancient Architects

Ancient Architects refers to the video channel that focuses on ancient history and independent research from around the world. It is the main theme of the video script, providing insights into ancient wonders and their historical significance. The script mentions this as the channel where the video is featured, indicating the source of the information.

💡Borobudur

Borobudur is identified as the world's largest Buddhist temple located in central Java, Indonesia. It is the main subject of the video, highlighting its architectural marvel and historical importance. The script describes its construction, design, and cultural significance, making it a central concept in understanding the video's content.

💡Saleendra Dynasty

The Saleendra Dynasty is mentioned as the ruling power during the likely construction period of Borobudur, between 760 and 830 A.D. This historical context is crucial for understanding the political backdrop against which the temple was built and its cultural significance during that era.

💡Gunadama

Gunadama is referred to as the person responsible for the construction of Borobudur, according to folklore. This keyword is significant as it attributes the creation of this architectural wonder to a specific individual, adding a human element to the story of the temple's origin.

💡Relief Panels

The term 'relief panels' refers to the 2672 decorative stone carvings that adorn the temple. These panels are integral to the temple's design and are used to illustrate Buddhist teachings and stories, making them a key aspect of the temple's cultural and religious significance.

💡Buddha Statues

Buddha Statues are the 504 statues of Buddha found within the temple, including 72 that surround the central dome. These statues are a central element of the temple's religious symbolism and represent the spiritual focus of the site.

💡Mandala

Mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe. In the context of the video, Borobudur is described as resembling a giant tantric Buddhist mandala when viewed from above, symbolizing the Buddhist cosmology and the nature of mind.

💡Drainage System

The drainage system is an integral part of Borobudur's design, which includes 100 spouts with unique calf gargoyles to manage stormwater runoff. This system is highlighted in the script to emphasize the engineering prowess of the ancient architects.

💡Gupta Art

Gupta Art refers to the artistic style that influenced the design of Borobudur, indicating the cultural exchange between the region and India. The script mentions this to show how the temple's design is a blend of local and foreign artistic influences.

💡Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is a religious journey, and in the context of the video, it describes the journey of Buddhist pilgrims to Borobudur. The script explains that the temple serves as a shrine to the Buddha and that the pilgrims' journey is symbolic, ascending through different levels of Buddhist cosmology.

💡UNESCO World Heritage Site

UNESCO World Heritage Site is an international recognition given to places of cultural or natural significance. The script mentions that Borobudur was listed as such a site, acknowledging its global importance and the efforts to preserve and protect it.

Highlights

Introduction to the ancient temple of Borobudur in Central Java, Indonesia, one of the world's most incredible ancient wonders.

Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple, believed to have been built between 760 and 830 A.D.

The temple was constructed during the Sailendra Dynasty's rule over the Mataram Kingdom.

Gunadama is credited with the temple's construction, possibly by royal order.

Borobudur consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, with a central dome.

The temple is adorned with 2672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Each Buddha statue is seated inside a perforated stupa, resembling a step pyramid.

The temple's design is a single giant stupa, resembling a tantric Buddhist mandala from above.

Foundations are square, with 55,000 cubic meters of stone used in construction without mortar.

A comprehensive drainage system with 100 spouts featuring unique calf gargoyles was incorporated.

The origins of the temple's name are unclear, with no definitive historical documents.

The temple design follows traditional Javanese Buddhist architectural style, blending indigenous and Buddhist concepts.

Gupta art influence is evident, showcasing the region's cultural exchange with India.

Borobudur is an important site for Buddhist pilgrimage, symbolizing the journey to enlightenment.

The temple has the largest and most complete ensembles of Buddhist reliefs in the world.

Extensive excavation and restoration efforts have been made, particularly in the 20th century.

Borobudur was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledging its cultural significance.

The temple has suffered from looting, with some artifacts now displayed in museums.

Borobudur is situated in a sacred landscape between volcanoes and rivers, known as the Garden of Java.

The temple's design may have represented a lotus flower floating on a lake, according to a hypothesis by W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp.

Evidence suggests the temple was once painted with red, green, blue, and black pigments, and coated with white plaster.

Borobudur retains its architectural grandeur and is the most visited tourist attraction in Indonesia.