A view of the Borobudur Temple from the courtyard
A view of the Borobudur Temple
Borobudur is the largest and one of the most beautiful Buddhist monuments in the world. It was built between 778 and 850 CE by the rulers of the Shylendra (Cailendra) dynasty, who were the followers of Mahayana Buddhism. According to an inscription, it was founded by King Samaratungga of the Shylendra dynasty.
The Borobudur monument is about Buddhist philosophy and Gauthama Buddha’s birth, life, death, and enlightenment. According to Buddhist philosophy, human beings need to go through three realms, Arupadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Kamadhatu, to attain enlightenment. The three layers of Borobudur represent these realms. The top layer with three round terraces represents Arupadhatu. The middle layer with five square terraces represents Rupadhatu. The lower layer, which is the courtyard, represents Kamadhatu.
Unlike the other Buddhist structures in the world, Borobudur is unique in that its structure looks like a step pyramid. Its size is comparable to the Giza Pyramids in Egypt. The image shows a view of Borobudur from the courtyard. The five terraces of the Rupadhatu layer and a large bell-shaped stupa with a pinnacle on top are visible in this image. The pinnacle originally had an umbrella mounted on top but was destroyed by lightning. This stupa, which is called mother stupa, believed to have contained a golden Buddha statue inside but was stolen in the 1800s when Borobudur was discovered.
Related Pages
Borobudur, Prambanan, Bali, Indonesia
Angkor Wat, Angkor Wat Bas-Reliefs, Banteay Srei, Cambodia
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