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ArchitectureCandi Mendut
The temple rests on the huge platform providing the space for circumambulation. The wall of the body is divided into three portions. The central portion depicts the sitting figure of Bodhisattva while the corner portions depict the standing statues of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas (Aṣṭamahābodhisattva). This allows Candi Mendut to be comparable to the Mahayanist Iconographic diagram. The superstructure of this temple follows the South Indian fashion, the stepped multi-tiered roof. However, the roof of this temple is ornamented with miniature Stupas (Stūpika), typical to the Central Javanese art. The decoration of miniature stupas on the top of the roof is associated with Buddhism.
ArchitectureBorobudur
The 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.
ArchitectureLowest base at Borobudur
Borobudur is conceived as Maṇḍala or the Mahayanist iconographic diagram. Therefore, the lowest base is conceived as Kāmabhūmi or the lowest realm of the universe in which the common people occupy. The story of defilements of common people in Kāmabhūmi has been narrated in the scripture named “Karmavibhanga” and these stories have been depicted in the narratives at the lowest base of Borobudur. The narratives, however, were hidden by the stone later added for strengthening the structure.
ArchitectureCircumambulatory path and narratives at Borobudur
The stupa comprises five multi-angled terraces, each of them provides the circumambulatory path and the narratives of Mahāyāna Buddhism. The themes of the narratives derive from several scriptures. The narratives at the lower terrace depict the stories from Lalitavistara, Jātaka and Avadāna while the upper 2nd-4th terraces depict the story form Gandhavyuhasūtra. Devotees who circumambulated the stupa would be able to be educated from these narratives. Moreover, these narratives are also the iconographic symbol of the cosmological program conceived at Borobudur.
ArchitectureNiche: Candi Kalasan
The corner portion of the body at Candi Kalansan is decorated with the strip of scrollwork and the exquisite bas-relief temple. The bas-relief temple comprises the South-Indian styled of superstructure capped by the North-Indian Amalaka-liked element at the top. Kāla-Makara pediment and the niche are also provided here. The niche is meant for the statue of Bodhisattva, which is already lost.
ArchitectureCandi Sari
Candi Sari is the rectangular temple which is unique to the later phase of Central Javanese art. This type of temple has never been found before in the earlier period. Inside the temple there are three rooms in double storey. The wooden floor of the second tier does not survive nowadays. This kind of temple seems to be the indigenous type, possible to be the temple for 1 Buddha image and 2 Bodhisattva attendants in the central and the side chambers respectively. Another example of the rectangular temple is Candi Plaosan.
ArchitectureInterior: Candi Sari
Candi Sari is the rectangular temple which is unique to the later phase of Central Javanese art. This type of temple has never been found before in the earlier period. Inside the temple there are three rooms in double storey. The wooden floor of the second tier does not survive nowadays. This kind of temple seems to be the indigenous type, possible to be the temple for 1 Buddha image and 2 Bodhisattva attendants in the central and the side chambers respectively. This picture shows the trace of the already-vanished wooden floor of the second storey. This testifies that this temple was the double-storeyed temple.
ArchitectureCandi Plaosan
Candi Plaosan, same as Candi Sari, is the rectangular temple which is unique to the later phase of Central Javanese art. This type of temple has never been found before in the earlier period. Inside the temple there are three rooms in double storey. The wooden floor of the second tier does not survive nowadays. This kind of temple seems to be the indigenous type, possible to be the temple for 1 Buddha image and 2 Bodhisattva attendants in the central and the side chambers respectively. Candi Plaosan comprises twin temples of the similar style, different form the single temple of Candi Sari. Moreover, the temple is surrounded by the numerous subsidiary temples arranged in diagram-liked complex. The latter character is comparable to Candi Sewu.
