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

Summary

Discover 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.