Borobodur: A Masterpiece

Borobodur at the far end of the road

I always heard my professors talking about Borobodur and Prambanan when I was reading Islamic Art. Both are historic and preserved (along with Angkor Wat in Cambodia) as heritage structure. Why? Because it reflects the history of Hindu (Prambanan) and Buddha (Borobodur) in Asia. History is always traced from literature, paintings and architectural structures. On structures, the motifs that represents each period of time are embedded. This reflects the advancement of culture of certain kingdom. Apart from that, it reflects the belief and lifestyle of the society.

The Borobodur is built nine story high and the walls are plastered with story of Buddha.

Staircase leading up to the temple

Since mom found it hard to climb all those stairs, our guide took us through the ramp. We just had to climb up in circles but it was easier for mom. Below is the view at the top of the ramp.

Nine story high and the walls are filled with story of Buddha

 The highlight of our trip to Borobodur was this. We saw the Buddhist praying and chanting and it sound very similar to some Hindu words. For example, the word sami was repeated several times and I have heard that sami is referred to deity in Tamil.

The ladies

The ladies took the left area while the men took the right side. The ladies were shaved bald as the men were. 

The male monks taking their spots

There was a family who wasn't clad in the robe joined the chant and prayer. I think she could feel me because after a few silent snaps (I turned my phone to silent to respect the event) she opened her eyes and looked at me. I was startled.

The makara from Borobodur

The lion that stand guard at the entrance. Look at the stylistic approach in carving the lion

The best angle to photography the Borobodur. An amazing view

I can't remember which floor or what was this panel about but here is the view of a panel of story

No cement were to assemble the Borobodur. It was all bricks placed in the above format. The holes are water tunnels so that rain water could flow through

I am at the ninth floor and this was the only Buddha statue without the stupa. What is stupa? It is the bell shaped structure you see beside the man clad in blue t-shirt

I was that if I want my wish to come true I should go around the ninth floor for 7 or 9 times and the I make a wish. I went around once only for the view.

There is our guide. An Indonesian Muslim who is very proud and knowledgeable about his heritage. Can't remember his name though

My visit to Borobodur was more fulfilling because the guide came together with us and I actually went around each floor to hear the stories. As I climbed further up the stories become lesser and on the ninth floor there no more stories on the wall. One of my professor said something significant about this but I cant remember now. We had an experience witnessing the prayer of the Buddhist. The place is also cleaner that Prambanan. At the time of our visit to Prambanan it just stopped raining so there were puddles of water everywhere and it reminded me of India. But Borobodur was clear of rain and no water around the area.