Indonesia – Borobodur
The Borobodur temple complex is recognized as a world heritage by the UNESCO. Built in the 7th century (AD750-850), it is a Buddhist temple made wholly of stones. The complex is shaped in a square, with four levels and stone carved bas relief depicting each four levels of life until one reaches the ultimate enlightenment.
On the highest level there are stone structures of bell shapes (stupas), with peeping holes and housing a Buddha statue within. It has been said that the Borobodur is the Angkor Wat of Indonesia. Indeed, there are similarities: the profusion of beautiful bas relief, the preeminence of stones as its building material, and the political will of dynasties (Saliendra for Borobodur, and Suryavarman for Angkor initially) that made possible such massive constructions of religious significance. Saliendra eventually disappeared mysteriously, and as such the Borobodur was abandoned and forgotten (also due to the 14th century conversion of the Javanese to Islam), until re-discovered again by the British ruler Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. Restoration has been done to the structure since the 19th century.1
What is dissimilar and superior to the Angkor Wat, and I know I have the contrarian view here, is that the stories told through the bas relief are better versed in the Borobodur. While the beauty of Angkor Wat and all its attending temple complexes is, undeniably, unsurpassable due to its beautiful environ and scales of grandeur, the Buddhist message as told in the Borobodur was clear, observable by the modern sojourner and engaging.
The structure was an amazing work of art, history and religion. The craftsmanship of the restoration was excellent, largely preserving its archaic impression unlike the Water Castle, which looked very modern. We were awed—the Borobudur was a good prelude to the Angkor Wat.
People say if you touch the Buddha’s head within the stupas you will have good luck, and easily around me I saw people reaching in for the Buddha. Many of the statues in the stupa did not have heads. I found one, made a wish, and, “you are very pretty. Can I take a picture of you?” Soon after, another similar request!
The Lonely Planet said we were supposed to touch the feet instead of the head of the Buddha. The magic worked nonetheless, although neither accosts were made by the one that I was wishing for.
That night when we were chatting we wondered how these great wonders of the world came into being. The rumor goes, as with the Angkor Wat, the construction of Borobudur was done with help from mystic forces; that humans alone could not have built such great architecture with the existing technology of that time. There was an accompanying sense that the belief in the supernatural was well and alive in Indonesia.
- I took most of these historical facts from the Wikipedia entry on Borobodur.
