The Temple of Borobudur, meaning “Buddhist temple at the top of the hill”, is located approximately 42 kilometers away from Yogyakarta of Central Java, while from a distance, the structure itself simultaneously takes on the shape of both a giant mountain and an idle tower. With the four sides of the stylobate base encasement stretching 120 meters in length, this temple is one of the biggest and most ancient Buddhist temples in the world, yet the exact origin and architect of this fascinating temple complex remain unknown. In fact, it had been completely forgotten after being thoroughly covered in volcanic ash following the eruption of the nearby Mount Merapi, which has been continually active over the last few hundred years, including recent eruptions in 1994, 2006, 2010, and even 2018. With its undeniable power and incessant activity, the people of Yogyakarta consider the mountain to be sacred. Lost beneath the volcanic ash and creeping jungle canopy, the Borobudur Temple Complex was rediscovered by a team of Westerners in the 18-19th century.
The temple structure is divided into three sections, including the flat, square foundation of the two-story stylobate base encasement and the five stories of connected corridors, before being topped off by the circular, three-story upper platform. This harmonious integration of the tiered structure symbolizes the three realms of the Buddhist world: Kamadhatu (the realm of desires), Rupadhatu (the realm of forms), and Arupadhatu (the formless realm). The characteristic design reflects that of the Sumisan, the cosmic mountain at the center of the world according to Buddhist belief, and the mandala, a symbol of Esoteric Buddhism, pointing to the advanced development of the Buddhist culture in Indonesia. Even today, the swirling architecture of each floor of the temple, rising upward in a tower-like fashion to the summit, denotes the ascending path of enlightenment toward the secular, sacred home of the One, be it God or Buddha. Essentially, it is understood as a pilgrimage, seeking the laws of Buddhist belief. The vast number of reliefs engraved into the walls of the stylobate base encasement and stretching corridors tell of the stories of Siddhartha Gautama, chronicling the Buddha’s life, as well as anecdotes of Sudhana, the protagonist of the lengthiest chapter of the Avatamsaka Sutra, and other sacred stories of Buddhist scripture. Each work also beautifully captures the fascinating way of life of the people of ancient Indonesia. At the center of the circular structure located at the temple’s center, the main stupa stands erect, surrounded by 72 smaller stupas, encasing Buddha statues. Visitors that touch the hand of a statue are said to have their wish come to fruition, however, once the temple was officially registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, that privilege of coming into direct contact with the statues themselves was revoked, as visitors are currently no longer allowed to venture beyond the stupas.
The magnificence of the beautiful stone sculptures and reliefs of the Borobudur Temple has fueled renewed Western interest in Eastern Buddhist art. The temple’s restoration has also catalyzed the further restoration and research of Buddhist ruins across Southeast Asia. The Borobudur Temple is the most renowned remains of Buddhist art native to Southeast Asia and maintains a high level of prestige as Indonesia’s most notable Buddhist sacred pilgrimage and tourist destination.
Written by Lecturer Kyeongmi Joo (Chungnam National University)
한국국제교류재단
