borobudur temple

In Indonesian, ancient temples are known as the temple; thus "Borobudur Temple" is locally known as Candi Borobudur. The term temple is also used more loosely to describe any ancient structure, for example gates and bathing structures. The origins of the name Borobudur however are unclear, although the original names of most ancient Indonesian temples are no longer known. The name Borobudur was first written in Sir Thomas Raffles' book on Javan history. Raffles wrote about a monument called Borobudur,
but there are no older documents suggesting the same name. The only old Javanese manuscript that hints at the monument as a holy Buddhist sanctuary is Nagarakretagama, written by mpu Prapanca in 1365.

The name 'Bore-Budur', and thus 'Borobudur', is thought to have been written by Raffles in English grammar to mean the nearby village of Bore; most temples are named after a nearby village. If it Followed Javanese language, the monument should have been named 'BudurBoro'. Raffles also suggested that 'Budur' might correspond to the modern Javanese word Buda ('ancient') - ie, 'ancient Boro'. However, another archaeologist suggests the second component of the name ('Budur') comes from Javanese term bhudhara (or mountain).

There is no written record of who built Borobudur or of its intended purpose. The construction time has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters during the eight and ninth centuries. Likely Borobudur was founded around 800 AD. This corresponds to the period between 760-830 AD, the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java, when it was under the influence of the Srivijayan Empire. The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of Samaratungga in 825.

Borobudur is a ninth-century Mahayana Buddhist Monument in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2.672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside perforated stupa.

The monument is both a shrine to the Lord Buddha and a place for Buddhist pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims begins at the base of the monument and follows a path circumambulating the monument while ascending to the top through the three levels of Buddhist cosmology, namely Kamadhatu (the world of desire), Rupadhatu (the world of forms) and Arupadhatu ( the world of formlessness). During the journey the monument guides the pilgrims through a system of stairways and corridors with 1.460 narrative relief panels on the wall and the balustrades.

Evidence suggests Borobudur was abandoned following the Fourteenth century decline of Buddhist and Hindu Kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. [2] Worldwide knowledge of its existence was sparked in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the then British ruler of Java, who was advised of its location by native Indonesians. Borobudur has since been preserved through several Restorations. The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian government and UNESCO, following roomates the monument was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. [3] Borobudur is still used for pilgrimage; once a year Buddhists in Indonesia celebrate Vesak at the monument, and Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited tourist attraction.

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