Borobudur: Lalitavistara Flora Fauna Relief

Summary

The Borobudur Temple, built from volcanic stones and first discovered in 1814, is a significant cultural and historical site. It features intricate reliefs, depicting stories from Buddhist teachings, including Karma, Siddhartha Gautama's life, and various fauna and flora. These reliefs offer a window into the environment, society, and culture of ancient Java. Ongoing research by LIPI and multi-disciplinary experts continues to uncover species of plants and animals depicted in the reliefs, adding depth to our understanding of the era. Borobudur is not only a religious symbol but also a rich source of knowledge about history, culture, and biodiversity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Borobudur Temple was built using nearly millions of volcanic stone blocks, sourced from a volcanic eruption nearby.
• 😀 The temple was first discovered in 1814, during British rule in Java, and underwent its first restoration between 1907-1911 by the Dutch colonial government.
• 😀 The restoration of Borobudur continued from 1973-1983, but its exact purpose remains unclear due to the lack of records left by those who initiated its construction.
• 😀 Borobudur is categorized as a Mahayana Buddhist site, with influences from the tantric tradition.
• 😀 The temple consists of 10 levels representing the concept of the Buddha’s Dasya Bodhisattva Bhumi.
• 😀 There are two types of reliefs in Borobudur: decorative reliefs and narrative reliefs, with the latter telling the stories of various Buddhist teachings.
• 😀 Borobudur features 1,460 narrative panels, depicting themes like karma, the life of Siddhartha Gautama, and the Jataka tales.
• 😀 The Karmawibhangga reliefs on the lower levels depict the law of cause and effect (karma), showing the consequences of good and bad deeds.
• 😀 The Lalitavistara relief, located on the temple's upper wall, shows the biography of the Buddha, reflecting the ancient Javanese environment at the time of Mataram's rule.
• 😀 The fauna depicted in the reliefs serves not only as decoration but also as a symbolic representation of different times of day, as well as an ecological indicator of the environment.
• 😀 The ongoing research by LIPI has identified around 51 species of flora and fauna from the reliefs, showing the rich natural history of the region.
• 😀 Borobudur can be viewed as a library of knowledge, as its reliefs contain insights into social, cultural, and environmental conditions during the 8th-10th centuries.

Q & A

What is the origin of the stones used to build Borobudur?

The stones used to build Borobudur were sourced from volcanic rocks, mined from the remains of a volcanic eruption nearby.

When was the first restoration of Borobudur carried out?

The first restoration of Borobudur was carried out by the Dutch East Indies government between 1907 and 1911.

How many levels does Borobudur have, and what do they represent?

Borobudur has 10 levels, which represent the concept of Buddha known as 'dasya bodhisattva bhumi'.

What types of reliefs can be found on Borobudur, and how are they categorized?

Borobudur features two types of reliefs: decorative reliefs and narrative reliefs. The narrative reliefs are found throughout the monument, telling various stories.

What does the Karmawibhangga relief depict?

The Karmawibhangga relief illustrates the law of cause and effect, or Karma, explaining that good actions lead to good outcomes and bad actions lead to bad ones.

What significant aspect of Siddhartha Gautama's life is shown on Borobudur?

One of the most important reliefs shows Siddhartha Gautama's journey from his existence in heaven as a bodhisattva to his birth as Prince Siddhartha, his liberation from samsara, and his teachings on virtue.

How are the Lalitavistara reliefs connected to the Buddha's life?

The Lalitavistara reliefs depict the biography of Buddha, based on the Lalitavistara Sutra, showing scenes from Buddha's life, including his enlightenment and early life events.

How are flora and fauna depicted in the Borobudur reliefs?

Flora and fauna in the Borobudur reliefs are used not only as decorative elements but also convey deeper meanings, such as representing different times of day or marking specific narrative elements.

What is the significance of the fauna in the reliefs, beyond decoration?

The fauna in the reliefs serve as symbols for different times of day, such as animals associated with morning, afternoon, or night. They also represent specific environments, such as water areas, where particular plants and animals thrive.

What interdisciplinary approach has been used to study the Borobudur reliefs?

The study of Borobudur reliefs has been approached through an interdisciplinary lens, involving experts from various fields such as biology, archaeology, history, and art, helping to uncover deeper insights about the cultural and natural history of the time.