Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460
relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in its complex. Millions of people
are eager to visit this building as one of the World Wonder Heritages.
It is not surprising since architecturally and functionally, as the
place for Buddhists to say their prayer, Borobudur is attractive.
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the
kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Sailendra dynasty. Based
on Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya
revealed that Borobudur was a place for praying that was completed to be
built on 26 May 824, almost one hundred years from the time the
construction was begun. The name of Borobudur, as some people say, means
a mountain having terraces (budhara), while other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high place.
Borobudur is constructed as a ten-terraces building. The height
before being renovated was 42 meters and 34.5 meters after the
renovation because the lowest level was used as supporting base. The
first six terraces are in square form, two upper terraces are in
circular form, and on top of them is the terrace where Buddha statue is
located facing westward. Each terrace symbolizes the stage of human
life. In line with of Buddha Mahayana, anyone who intends to reach the
level of Buddha's must go through each of those life stages.
The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizes
human being that are still bound by lust. The upper four stories are
called Rupadhatu symbolizing human beings that have set themselves free
from lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. On this terrace,
Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three
terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are
called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been free from lust, appearance and shape. The top part that is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
Each terrace has beautiful relief panels showing how
skillful the sculptors were. In order to understand the sequence of the
stories on the relief panels, you have to walk clockwise from the
entrance of the temple. The relief panels tell the legendary story of
Ramayana. Besides, there are relief panels describing the condition of
the society by that time; for example, relief of farmers' activity
reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat
representing the advance of navigation in Bergotta (Semarang).
A question about Borobudur that is still unanswered by
far is how the condition around the temple was at the beginning of its
foundation and why at the time of it's finding the temple was buried.
Some hypotheses claim that Borobudur in its initial foundation was
surrounded by swamps and it was buried because of Merapi explosion. It
was based on Kalkutta inscription with the writing 'Amawa' that
means sea of milk. The Sanskrit word was used to describe the occurrence
of disaster. The sea of milk was then translated into Merapi lava. Some
others say that Borobudur was buried by cold lava of Merapi Mountain.
With the existing greatness and mystery, it makes sense
if many people put Borobudur in their agenda as a place worth visiting
in their lives. Besides enjoying the temple, you may take a walk around
the surrounding villages such as Karanganyar and Wanurejo. You can also
get to the top of Kendil stone where you can enjoy Borobudur and the
surrounding scenery. Please visit Borobudur temple right away
Sumber : http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/candi/borobudur
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