Borobudur Temple Documentary – Buddhist Monument | Amazement

Summary

The video discusses the significance of Borobudur Temple, an ancient Buddhist monument in Central Java, Indonesia. Built in the 9th century, it features nine platforms, a central dome, and numerous Buddha statues and relief panels. Borobudur blends Javanese ancestor worship with Buddhist principles, serving as a major pilgrimage site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite wear and restrictions due to vandalism, it remains Indonesia's most-visited monument, attracting millions of tourists annually and symbolizing cultural and religious harmony.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Borobudur Temple is an ancient architectural monument located in Central Java, Indonesia, and is one of the largest and most well-preserved Buddhist monuments in the world.
• 🌍 The temple is a major tourist attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized globally for its historical and cultural significance.
• 🛕 Constructed in the 9th century during the Sailendra Dynasty, the temple blends Javanese Buddhist architecture with indigenous ancestor worship and Buddhist concepts of nirvāṇa.
• 🪨 Borobudur is built from gray andesite stone and features nine stacked platforms, including six square and three circular, topped by a central dome.
• 🧱 The temple is adorned with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues, with 72 seated Buddha statues around the central dome inside perforated stupas.
• 📜 The temple's narrative relief panels, numbering 1,460, guide pilgrims through an intricate system of stairways and corridors, illustrating its significance in Buddhist pilgrimage.
• 🔍 Rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, Borobudur has undergone several restorations, the largest completed in 1983 with support from UNESCO.
• 👣 The high volume of visitors has caused significant wear on the stone stairs, prompting preservation measures, including a maximum limit of 1,200 visitors per day, wearing bamboo slippers to protect the monument.
• 📈 Tourist numbers have significantly increased, with domestic tourists rising from 422,930 in 2021 to 1.44 million in 2022, and the government aims to reach 2 million visitors annually.
• 🕊️ Borobudur is regarded as a symbol of cultural and religious harmony, remaining a vital site for pilgrimage, particularly during Vesak Day celebrations.

Q & A

What is Borobudur Temple, and where is it located?

Borobudur Temple is an ancient Buddhist monument located in Central Java, Indonesia. It is one of the largest and most well-preserved Buddhist structures in the world.

What architectural design does Borobudur Temple follow?

Borobudur Temple follows Javanese Buddhist architecture, blending Indonesian indigenous traditions of ancestor worship with the Buddhist concept of attaining nirvāṇa.

What materials were used in the construction of Borobudur Temple?

Borobudur Temple was constructed using gray andesite-like stone, which forms its platforms, reliefs, and Buddha statues.

How many platforms and Buddha statues does the Borobudur Temple have?

The temple consists of nine stacked platforms—six square and three circular. It originally had 504 Buddha statues, with 72 of them seated inside perforated stupas surrounding the central dome.

When was Borobudur Temple built, and during which dynasty?

Borobudur Temple was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty.

Why was Borobudur Temple abandoned, and when was it rediscovered?

Borobudur Temple was abandoned following the 14th-century decline of Hindu kingdoms and the Javanese conversion to Islam. It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

What is Borobudur Temple's status as a heritage site?

Borobudur Temple is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site following a major restoration project completed by the Indonesian government and UNESCO in 1983.

Why is Borobudur Temple a popular pilgrimage site, and what event is celebrated there?

Borobudur Temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists, especially during Vesak Day, which is celebrated annually at the monument.

What impact has tourism had on Borobudur Temple?

High tourism traffic has caused significant wear on the stone stairs, with nearly 49.15% of the 2,033 surfaces of stone stairs severely worn out.

How has the Indonesian government responded to issues caused by tourism at Borobudur Temple?

Due to vandalism and erosion from high foot traffic, the government limited access in 2020 to 1,200 visitors per day. Visitors are now required to wear bamboo slippers to help preserve the temple.