Borobudur

The first time I visited Borobudur, when I was still in junior high school. I go there with my friend as a study tour program for 8th grade student. We arrived there in the late afternoon. When we stood in front of the temple, we see a magnificent temple, the biggest temple that we had ever seen. Without thinking, we walked to it and we climbed it.
Borobudur is the largest temple in the world. The size of the temple is 121.66 metres x 121.38 m, and 35.50 meters high. This temple design is like a pyramid design. It consists of three parts, i.e. The basic design of Borobudur is like a pyramid. It is consist of three parts, i.e. the base or Kamadhatu, the middle part or Rupadhatu, and the final part or Arupadhatu. There are reliefs in the base and the middle part of Borobudur. But there are differences between the reliefs in these parts. Reliefs in the base show the law of cause and effect, and the reliefs describe this law in the shape of human and animal. While reliefs in the middle part shows the life of Buddha - Sidarta Gautama. As the final part, Borobudur consists of three circular terraces and a central dagoba forming a summit. There are circular stupas, with Buddha statue inside of it, on the circular terraces.



For visitors who want to learn Buddhist taught, they can learn it by learning the reliefs, but when they want to read the relief, they have to put the relief and stupas on their right side. If visitors want to read the relief on the wall of the temple they have to walk clockwise encircle the temple. There are 1460 frame of reliefs in Borobudur.
Beside learning the relief the visitor can also learn the statues of Buddha. There are 504 statues. At the first glance visitor think that the statues are the same, but there are differences among the statue. The position of Buddha’s hand, called Mudra, is different. There are five mudra, i.e. Bumispara Mudra, Wara Mudra, Dhyana Mudra, Abhaya Mudra, and Dharma Cakra Mudra.
Borobudur as one of the ancient heritage in Central Java is built in 8th century by Sailendra dynasty. This dynasty, which ruled Central Java, is a unification of Hindus and Buddhist dynasty. They built this temple as a worship place for the Buddhist pilgrims who were among the royal families. Experts believe that Borobudur’s name is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Vihara Buddha Uhr’ that means the Buddhist Monastery on the Hill. As the meaning of its
name, Borobudur is standing magnificently and serenely on a hillock.
Nowadays it is as a place of Buddhist prayer. They usually pray in this temple on a special occasion such as the Buddhist New Year, or in Buddhist holy days suvh as Tri Suci Waisak or the day of Buddha born. The worship usually begins from Mendut temple, which is located in the west of Borobudur. Then the pilgrims walk to Borobudur, trough Pawon Temple, to
do their worship in Borobudur.

sunset at Borobudur

Borobudur is located in Borobudur village in Magelang Regency Central Java. The scenery around the temple is beautiful. It surrounds by rice field. If we visit the temple early in the morning or in the late afternoon, we will see beautiful scenery. The reflection of the sun light will gives the magical impression of the temple.
To get to the location, visitors can go by public vehicle they go by renting a car in Yogyakarta. It’s about one hour from Yogyakarta. If you go there by public vehicle, you are better stop at Mendut temple and then you can walk or take a horse cart to Pawon temple and from this temple you can walk to Borobudur. It’s only 300 meters away. So you can visit the three wonderful temple in Central Java.