BOROBUDUR TEMPLE, A MYSTERY FROM THE PAST
Tracing the past of Indonesian civilisation. It came in mind, a great monument, a masterpiece built by human children, called Borobudur Temple.
A structure of 121.66x12.38 meter in area and 35.40 meters in height, comprises of nine platforms with a large stupa at the centre of the top platform. This top platform has 73 stupas, 504 statues, and 2,672 relief panels. The relief panels are of two kinds, one is narrative and the other is decorative with a style of Gupta Indian art, combined with a touch of Indonesian elements. The two made Borobudur the biggest, grandest, and most unique Buddhist monument in the world.
Borobudur is not merely a composition of carved stones, but the symbol of the universe, the cosmology replica of Buddhist belief. Every detail and composition of the monument has religious meaning and teaches human a way to life?s perfection. Every step of exploring each platform is a journey to sanctify every being who wanted to set themselves free from bad karma.
Various stories and assumptions of the monument occur. Borobudur, which by most archeologists is described as ?shrine on top of the hill?, was estimated to be built in 50 years.
Different assumptions come and go, legend survived through words, but none are sure about the real history of Borobudur. And despite that this great monument has been buried in volcanic ash of the eruption of Mount Merapi, left by its followers in 1006, shaken by bombs in 1985, and hit by an earthquake in 2006, Borobudur still stands to face the ever-revolving wheels of time, leaving a mysterious mist which is not yet revealed.
Photo and text by : Ismar Patriski