Mysteries of Borobudur Discover IndonesiaWith vivid photography and insightful commentary, this travel pictorial shines a light on the Buddhist art and architecture of Borobudur. The glorious ninth-century Buddhist stupa of Borobudur--the largest Buddhist monument in the world--stands in the midst of the lush Kedu Plain of Central Java in Indonesia, where it is visited annually by over a million people. Borobudur contains more than a thousand exquisitely carved relief panels extending along its many terraces for a total distance of more than a kilometer. These are arranged so as to take the visitor on a spiritual journey to enlightenment, and one ascends the monument past scenes depicting the world of desire, the life story of Buddha, and the heroic deeds of other enlightened beings--finally arriving at the great circular terraces at the top of the structure that symbolize the formless world of pure knowledge and perfection. |
Contents
Early Javanese Society | |
Architecture 12 | |
Statues 16 | |
Visual Vocabulary 20 | |
Jatakas and Avadanas 24 | |
The Gandavyuha 28 | |
Common terms and phrases
ancient Java ancient Javanese aspect of Borobudur's attained enlightenment balustrade believe hovers bodhisattva Borobudur depicted Borobudur illustrated Borobudur reliefs depict Borobudur's design Buddha statues Buddhist Buddhists believe carved central Java circular terraces complete construction earth eastern stairway Episode fourth gallery Gandavyuha Gautama Gautama Buddha gods H.C. Cornelius heaven hell Hindu Hinduism History of Java India Indonesian Indra jataka and avadana Jatakamala Javanese society Jewel Trees Kakek Bima king kinnaras labor Lalitavistara levels lotus lower series Mahayana Buddhism main wall Makaras mandala Manjusri meditation meters monks motifs Mudra positions mythical Naga narrative Nirvana palace parasol perforated stupas performed Photographs by MARCELLO pilgrims preaching Prince reliefs on Borobudur religious right hands round upper terraces Sailendra Sakyamuni Samantabhadra Sanjaya scripture series of panels series of reliefs sermon side spiritual square structures Sudhana Suharto Sumeru supernatural surrounding Borobudur symbolic temples Thomas Stamford Raffles type of Buddha Vairocana view of Borobudur visitor