![\"Amazing](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/indonesian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2015\/04\/DSC_0642.jpg\")
<\/a>Amazing Borobudur.<\/p><\/div>\n
Built in the 8th and 9th centuries during the\u00a0Syailendra Dynasty, this impressive monument was constructed by workers who hauled two million stones from local rivers and streams. It remained an important religious site until it was abandoned in the 14th century when\u00a0Java converted to Islam. Fast forward a few centuries to the early 1800s, and Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles – then the British governor of Java – learned of Borobudur from locals and took an interest in having it excavated. Unfortunately, during this process the temple was exposed to the elements, and many villagers also helped themselves to stones and statues. When it seemed like all hope was lost, an ambitious program called “Save Borobudur” was launched in 1968 by the Indonesian government in conjunction with UNESCO. After many years of hard work, the temple was restored and designated a World Heritage Site.<\/p>\n
Design<\/h1>\n![\"Some](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/indonesian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2015\/04\/DSC_0606.jpg\")
<\/a>Some of the many intricate carvings.<\/p><\/div>\n
Borobudur was designed in a Javanese Buddhist style, combining elements of traditional Indonesian ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana. The main temple is built in three tiers – a pyramidal base with five square terraces, three circular platforms, and a monumental stupa at the top. This design is based on the Buddhist representation of the universe as being divided into three spheres:<\/p>\n
\n- Kamadhatu<\/em> (the sphere of desires): The base of the temple.<\/li>\n
- Rupadhatu<\/em>\u00a0(the sphere of forms): The five square terraces.<\/li>\n
- Arupadhatu\u00a0<\/em>(the sphere of formlessness): The three circular platforms and the stupa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When viewed from above, the entire temple resembles the mandala<\/em>, a sacred symbol in both Buddhism and Hinduism representing the universe.<\/p>\nAround the base, there are thousands of narrative reliefs sculpted in the walls and the balustrades. Illustrating the life of Buddha and the soul’s progression towards redemption, these are the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist reliefs in the world.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Some of the many intricate carvings.<\/p><\/div>\n
Borobudur was designed in a Javanese Buddhist style, combining elements of traditional Indonesian ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana. The main temple is built in three tiers – a pyramidal base with five square terraces, three circular platforms, and a monumental stupa at the top. This design is based on the Buddhist representation of the universe as being divided into three spheres:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Kamadhatu<\/em> (the sphere of desires): The base of the temple.<\/li>\n
- Rupadhatu<\/em>\u00a0(the sphere of forms): The five square terraces.<\/li>\n
- Arupadhatu\u00a0<\/em>(the sphere of formlessness): The three circular platforms and the stupa.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
When viewed from above, the entire temple resembles the mandala<\/em>, a sacred symbol in both Buddhism and Hinduism representing the universe.<\/p>\n
Around the base, there are thousands of narrative reliefs sculpted in the walls and the balustrades. Illustrating the life of Buddha and the soul’s progression towards redemption, these are the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist reliefs in the world.<\/p>\n
- Rupadhatu<\/em>\u00a0(the sphere of forms): The five square terraces.<\/li>\n