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Borobudur

Keywords : Shailendra dynasty, Borobudur

Site common nameBorobudur
Type of artworkArchitecture
Village-
Province/City-
State-
CountryIndonesia
Geographic Coordinates
Decimal degree		Lat : -7.608
Long : 110.204

History of productionBorobudur is the loftiest Mahayanist Stupa in Indonesia. Constructed under the patronage of Mahayanist Shailendra dynasty, the Stupa was contemporaneous to Candi Mendut and Candi Pawon.
ArtThe Stupa comprises the series of five multi-angled square bases. Each base provides the circumambulatory passage beautified by the narratives of Mahayana concepts. The Dhyani Buddha statues are enshrined at every side of these square bases. These Dhyani Buddha’s gesture is in accordance with the Mahayanist iconography. For example, Akshobhaya must be enshrined in the east and gesture Bhumisparsha; Ratnasambhava must be enshrined in the south and gestureVarada. On the upper circular platforms exist the series of perforated Stupa enshrining Vairochana in Dharmacakra gesture. The topmost central Stupa is the solid Stupa symbolizing the supreme Adi Buddha.
Art periodMid Central Javanese Art
Age8th-9th Century A.D.
ReligionBuddhism
SectMahayana
Religion and beliefBorobudur was conceptualized as “Mandala” or the microcosm in accordance with the concept of Mahayana Buddhism. Kamabhumi, the lowest realm of the desire-indulged normal people is conceived at the lowest base. Manushi Buddha is the Buddha of the realm. The multi-angled bases coincide to the Rupabhumi or the realm of form. Dhyani Buddha is the Buddha of the realm. The circular plain bases correspond to the Arupabhumi, or the realm of formless. Adi Buddha is the Buddha of this highest realm.
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Type of LicenseAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND)
RightsPrincess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre
Date of record creation2015-02-00
Record creatorChedha Tingsanchali