An Ancient Pyramid? The World’s Largest Buddhist Temple: Borobudur, Indonesia | Ancient Architects
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
🏰 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.
🏞️ 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
💡Borobudur
💡Saleendra Dynasty
💡Gunadama
💡Relief Panels
💡Buddha Statues
💡Mandala
💡Drainage System
💡Gupta Art
💡Pilgrimage
💡UNESCO World Heritage Site
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.
Transcripts
[Music]
hello everybody
and welcome to ancient architects
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research from around the world
this amazing ancient temple in central
java
indonesia is one of the most incredible
ancient wonders of the world
what we are looking at is the site of
borobudur the world's largest buddhist
temple
likely built between 760 and 830
a.d during the saleendra dynasty's rule
over the mataram kingdom
folklore says that someone named
gunadama was responsible for its
construction
a temple that was likely made by order
of the king
borobudur consists of nine stack
platforms
six of which are square and three
circular with the central dome sat on
top
it is decorated with an incredible 2672
relief panels
and 504 statues of buddha including 72
that surround the central dome
each seated inside a perforated stupa
it looks like a step pyramid but is
built like a single giant stupa
and when viewed from above it looks like
a giant tantric buddhist mandala
representing the buddhist cosmology and
the nature of mind
the foundations are square measuring 387
feet on each side
approximately 55 000 cubic meters of
undecided stone
was worked from neighboring quarries to
build it
the stone was cut to size transported to
the site
and each block was laid down without any
mortar
knobs indentations and dovetails were
used to give the structure
precise joints and structural integrity
i'll look into this in more detail in
the future
a very comprehensive drainage system was
incorporated into its design
and this is because certain areas feel
the brunt of stormwater runoff
100 spouts were installed at each corner
each with a unique calf gargoyle in the
shape of a giant or macara dragon the
origins of the name of the temple are
unclear
it was first written in raffle's book on
jarvan history
but there are no old documents that
refer to the name borobudur
an old javanese document that was
written in 1365
hints that it once could have been
called badou a holy buddhist sanctuary
but this is not certain the temple
design
follows the traditional javanese
buddhist architectural style
which blends the indonesian indigenous
cult of ancestor worship
and the buddhist concept of attaining
nirvana
the temple also shows an influence of
gupta art
showing how the region was influenced by
india yet because of the iconography at
the temple
including specific indigenous scenes and
elements
there is no question that borobudur is
very much indonesian
it's no surprise that today this is an
important site for buddhist pilgrimage
because the whole monument is a shrine
to the buddha
on arrival the pilgrim's journey starts
at the base of the structure
and follows a path around the monument
ascending to the top through different
levels that are symbolic in buddhist
cosmology
the first level is called kamadatu
meaning the world of desire
the next is rupa tadu meaning the world
of forms
and then arupadatu which is the world of
formlessness
there is an extensive system of stairs
and corridors
decorated with narrative relief panels
on the walls and balustrades
interestingly the enormous temple also
has the largest and most complete
ensembles of buddhist reliefs in the
world
borobudur has also been extensively
excavated and restored
and all evidence points to its
construction taking place in the 8th or
9th century a.d
[Music]
it was abandoned following the 14th
century decline of the hindu kingdoms of
java
and then the javanese conversion to
islam in the 15th century
for centuries it was neglected and then
hidden under layers of volcanic ash
and jungle overgrowth there was only
renewed interest
in the site in 1814 when native
indonesians told the british ruler of
java
sir thomas stamford raffles of its
location
200 men were instructed to cut down
trees to burn vegetation and dig away
the earth
to reveal the huge magnificent temple
since then several restoration projects
have taken place
the largest of which was done between
1975 and 1982 by unesco in the
indonesian government
after that the site was listed as a
unesco world heritage site
and it is certainly worthy of such an
honor
sadly the site has been subject to a lot
of looting
some even with the colonial government's
consent
in 1896 the king of cyan removed eight
cartloads of sculptures from borobudur
including five buddha images two lions
one gargoyle
30 pieces from relief panels and more
some of these artifacts are now on
display in the national museum in
bangkok
the natural landscape around this
man-made wonder is also worth noting
borobudur is located on an elevated area
situated between two volcanoes sandaro
sumbling and murbabu murapi
as well as two rivers the ello and the
progo
the region is a sacred place known as
the garden of java because of the
agricultural fertility of the plain
the eruption of mount merpe heavily
affected borobudur in 2010
when a layer of ash up to 2.5
centimeters in thickness
fell on the temple and also destroyed
the surrounding vegetation
thanks to a 3 million donation from
unesco
the site was cleaned and checked over
thousands of stone blocks had to be
dismantled to restore the drainage
system
a huge job to ensure the monument
survived
interestingly borobudur is one of three
buddhist temples in the region
all of which are positioned in a
straight line
this implies a possible ritual landscape
a relationship between the three temples
but exactly what this was we may never
know
archaeologists speculate that a lake
once surrounded the main temple
dutch artist and scholar of hindu and
buddhist architecture
woj newen camp developed a hypothesis
that the plane that the structure sits
on was winter lake
and once built the borobudur temple
represented a lotus flower floating on
the lake
like the great pyramid of egypt this
temple is built onto a bedrock hill
which is 869 feet above sea level
and 49 feet above the floor of the now
dried out paleo lake
the history of borobudur is far from
complete
and however it once looked in antiquity
pictures from the air today
certainly show that it does retain the
wow factor
it is enormous and beautiful one of the
greatest archaeological sites in
southeast asia
and also the single most visited tourist
attraction in indonesia
like all the sites i've been discussing
in the past two weeks
there is so much more detail i could go
into the meanings behind
so many of the carved panels the
controversial history since it was
discovered
the archaeological relics from the sites
that are now in museums around the world
and how this unesco world heritage site
is shaping tourism in modern java
when it was built and complete it would
have looked even more amazing than it
does today
as there is evidence that this structure
was painted
red green blue and black pigments have
been discovered as well as pieces of
gold foil
it wasn't always a dark grey mass of
volcanic stone
but was likely coated with white plaster
and then painted bright colours
a beacon of buddhism for southeastern
asia and also the world
thankfully due to restoration we can all
once again enjoy this incredible example
of ancient architecture
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