History of Borobudur

Borobudur Temple Compounds

This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built
in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular
platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low
reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas,
each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.

The Borobudur Temple Compounds is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, and was
built in the 8th and 9th centuries AD during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty. The monument is located
in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, at the centre of the island of Java, Indonesia.

The main temple is a stupa built in three tiers around a hill which was a natural centre: a pyramidal base
with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a
monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface
area of 2,520 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the
Buddha.

The vertical division of Borobudur Temple into base, body, and superstructure perfectly accords with the
conception of the Universe in Buddhist cosmology. It is believed that the universe is divided into three
superimposing spheres, kamadhatu, rupadhatu, and arupadhatu, representing respectively the sphere of
desires where we are bound to our desires, the sphere of forms where we abandon our desires but are still
bound to name and form, and the sphere of formlessness where there is no longer either name or form. At
Borobudur Temple, the kamadhatu is represented by the base, the rupadhatu by the five square terraces,
and the arupadhatu by the three circular platforms as well as the big stupa. The whole structure shows a
unique blending of the very central ideas of ancestor worship, related to the idea of a terraced mountain,
combined with the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana.

The Temple should also be seen as an outstanding dynastic monument of the Syailendra Dynasty that
ruled Java for around five centuries until the 10th century.

The Borobudur Temple Compounds consists of three monuments: namely the Borobudur Temple and two
smaller temples situatued to the east on a straight axis to Borobudur. The two temples are Mendut Temple,
whose depiction of Buddha is represented by a formidable monolith accompanied by two Bodhisattvas,
and Pawon Temple, a smaller temple whose inner space does not reveal which deity might have been the
object of worship. Those three monuments represent phases in the attainment of Nirvana.

The temple was used as a Buddhist temple from its construction until sometime between the 10th and
15th centuries when it was abandoned. Since its re-discovery in the 19th century and restoration in the
20th century, it has been brought back into a Buddhist archaeological site.

Criterion (i): Borobudur Temple Compounds with its stepped, unroofed pyramid consisting of ten
superimposing terraces, crowned by a large bell-shaped dome is a harmonious marriage of stupas, temple
and mountain that is a masterpiece of Buddhist architecture and monumental arts.
Criterion (ii): Borobudur Temple Compounds is an outstanding example of Indonesia’s art and
architecture from between the early 8th and late 9th centuries that exerted considerable influence on an
architectural revival between the mid-13th and early 16th centuries.

Criterion (vi): Laid out in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha, Borobudur Temple
Compounds is an exceptional reflection of a blending of the very central idea of indigenous ancestor
worship and the Buddhist concept of attaining Nirvana. The ten mounting terraces of the entire structure
correspond to the successive stages that the Bodhisattva has to achieve before attaining to Buddhahood.

For those of you who are curious about the Borobudur Temple, here are some important and interesting
facts you need to know, which are:

1. 12 Centuries Old
Until now, Borobudur Temple is estimated to be around 12 centuries or 1200 years old. This is supported
by some discoveries which state that the construction of this temple began in the 8th or 9th century AD.

2. Been Neglected
Some historical evidence states that the existence of this great temple was neglected. This happened
around the 14th or 15th century AD, when Hindu Buddhist civilization began to decline in Indonesia. This
year also marks the entry of Islam to Indonesia.

3. Cultural Property Theft

Before being completely restored and preserved, the great Borobudur Temple was the target of
irresponsible people. They take Buddha statues to sell to antique collectors or to museums. Many parts of
the temple were lost and diminished as a result of these looters. That is why many Buddha statues are
headless.

4. Exhibited at Thailand Museum

Apart from theft, the loss of statues and artifacts at Borobudur Temple could not be separated from the
intervention of the Dutch East Indies government. In 1896, the King of Thailand visited Indonesia and
expressed his intention to have several parts of the statue from this temple.

The request was approved by the Dutch East Indies government. Finally, 5 statues of Buddha, 30 stones
with reliefs, two statues of lions, stone shaped kala, stairs and gates, statues of dwarapala guards were
brought to Thailand.

5. Twice Restoration
Borobudur Temple has undergone two restoration works to maintain its integrity. The first renovations
were carried out in around 1907 and 1911. However, due to limited costs, the restoration could not be
done optimally.

This first restoration found several missing Buddha head statues, dismantled and rebuilt the three terraces
and the peak stupa. The second restoration was carried out in 1960 – 1973 with more intensively to
protect this historical monument.
The Indonesian government and UNICEF are jointly undertaking a major repair project to strengthen and
repair all parts of the temple. That said, this project cost nearly 7 million dollars.

6. Included in the List of World Heritage Sites

In 1991, Borobudur Temple was designated as one of cultural objects from the past or a world heritage
site. This temple is a cultural object that represents a creative and genius human masterpiece.

7. Once a Bomb Target

On January 21st, 1985, Borobudur Temple was targeted by a bomb that destroyed 9 stupas and two
Buddha statues. The perpetrator of this bombing was a Muslim preacher named Husein Ali Al Habsyie.

The background to this bombing was not reported in a clear and focused manner. Several sources stated
that the problems ranged from religious conflicts, conflicts of interest and many more issues.

8. Rocked by the Earthquake but Stand Still

Borobudur Temple was also rocked by an earthquake measuring 6.2 Richter scale on May 27, 2006. Even
though the Yogyakarta earthquake almost destroyed the surrounding area, this Buddhist temple remained
firmly standing without any slightest move.

9. Two Million Visitors Each Year

The popularity of this temple is not in doubt. Borobudur name is increasingly widespread throughout the
world. This can be seen from the increase in the number of visitors every year. On average, Borobudur
visitors even reach 2.5 million people per year.