Borobudur Temple

Borobudur temple is one of the most beautiful tourist resorts in Indonesia. It is situated in
central Java. Borobudur temple is one of the seven wonders of the world which needs to be
preserved its circumstances. The people all over the world know that Borobudur is one of the
greatest art works that ever known since long time ago.
Borobudur temple was built by Syailendra Dynasty during the eighth century. It needed
more than two million river stones. It is the biggest temple in the world.
After going into some restorations, Borobudur is visited by more and more tourists, both
domestic and foreign tourists. Most of them admire Borobudur temple because of its beauty, its
elegance and the story of the relief on its walls.
Domestic tourists usually go there by bus or private cars, while foreign tourists like to
join travel bureau because they don’t need to think of the transportation, accommodation, and
itinerary. There are some money changers around the location. It makes them easier to change
their money. But some of them like to bring credit cards and checks.

1. What do you know about Borobudur Temple ?

2. Where is it located ?
3. Who built Borobudur Temple ?
4. What do some tourists admire with Borobudur Temple ?
5. How do some domestic tourists and some foreign ones visit Borobudur Temple ?
 Borobudur Temple

Borobudur is Hindu - Budhist temple. It was built in the nineth century under Sailendra
dynasty of ancient Mataram kingdom. Borobudur is located in Magelang, Central Java,
Indonesia.
Borobudur is well-known all over the world. Its construction is influenced by the Gupta
architecture of India. The temple is constructed on a hill 46 m high and consist of eight step like
stone terrace. The first five terrace are square and surrounded by walls adorned with Budist
sculpture in bas-relief. The upper three are circular. Each of them is with a circle of bell shape-
stupa. The entire height is crowned by a large stupa at the centre at the centre of the top circle.
The way to the summit extends through some 4.8 km of passage and starways. The design of
borobudur which symbolizes the structure of universe influences temples at Angkor, Cambodia.
Borobudur temple which is rededicated as an Indonesian monument in 1983 is a valuable
treasure for Indonesian people.
1. When was Borobudur Temple built?
2. The construction of Borobudur Temple is influenced by..
3. What is the shape of stupa at the upper of temple?
4. When was Borobudur temple rededicated as an Indonesian monument?
5. Describe briefly the physical description of Borobudur Temple !
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.
Integrity
The boundaries contain the three temples that include the imaginary axis between them.
Although the visual links are no longer open, the dynamic function between the three
monuments, Borobudur Temple, Mendut Temple, and Pawon Temple is maintained.
The main threat to the ensemble is from development that could compromise the extraordinary
relationship between the main monument and its wider setting and could also affect the
Outstanding Universal Value of the property. The approach to the property has to a degree
already been compromised by weak developmental regulations.
Tourism also exerts considerable pressure on the property and its hinterland.
There is a growing rate of deterioration of the building stone, the cause of which needs further
research. There is also a small degree of damage caused by unsupervised visitors.
The eruption of Mount Merapi is also considered as one of the potential threats because of its
deposit acidic ash as happened in 2010.
Authenticity
The original materials were used to reconstruct the temple in two phases in the 20th century:
after the turn of the century and more recently (1973-1983). Mostly original materials were used
with some additions to consolidate the monument and ensure proper drainage which has not had
any significant adverse impact on the value of the property. Though the present state of
Borobudur Temple is the result of restorations, it retained more than enough original material
when re-discovered to make a reconstruction possible.
Nowadays the property could be used as a Buddhist pilgrimage site. Its overall atmosphere is,
however, to a certain degree compromised by the lack of control of commercial activities and the
pressure resulting from the lack of an adequate tourism management strategy.
Protection and management requirements
The protection of the property is performed under Indonesian Law No. 11/2010 concerning
Cultural Heritage and its surrounding cultural landscape. It is executed under a National Strategic
Area and the Spatial Management Plan by the Ministry of Public Works in accordance with the
Law concerning Spatial Management No. 26/2007 and Governmental Regulation No. 26/2008
concerning National Spatial Planning and will be enforced further by another presidential
regulation regarding the Management for the Borobudur National Strategic Area that is still
being drafted by the Ministry of Public Works.
The legal and institutional framework for the effective management of the property is regulated
by a Presidential Decree Number 1 Year 1992. The established zones within the World Heritage
property are respectively under the responsibility of the Borobudur Heritage Conservation Office
under Ministry of Education and Culture, of state-owned institute PT. Taman Wisata Candi
Borobudur under the Ministry of Enterprises, and of the local governments (Magelang Regency
and Central Java Province). A study on the integrated management of Borobudur Temple
Compounds has been conducted, including attention for the ecosystem, social and cultural
aspects, ecotourism, public and private partnership and organisational feasibility study. This
study is the basis of the still to be developed visitor management approach.
In order to ensure consistency between the 1992 Presidential Decree and the 1972 JICA Master
Plan zone-system indicated in the World Heritage nomination dossier and to strengthen the
regulations regarding development, a New Presidential Regulation is still being formulated by a
Coordinating Board (14 Ministries and local authorities as well as representatives of local
communities) and by formalizing the role of the proposed Management Board into the wider
zones. In addition, the protection of the property has been ensured by the regular financial
contribution by the national budget.
Monitoring programs has been effectively executed to monitor the growing rate of deterioration
of building stone and also damage by unsupervised visitors. A research is being conducted to
determine the long- term impact of deposit acidic ash of eruption of Mount Merapi to set further
protection and conservation management of the property. Furthermore, a risk preparedness plan
will be formulated in 2012.
The Borobudur Heritage Conservation Office has conducted community development programs
targeting especially at the youth to raise their awareness. In improving and empowering local
community as specialist guide for Borobudur Temple Compounds, several training programs
have been conducted. The community development related to economical sector (small
enterprises that produce traditional handicrafts, culinaries, etc) have already being conducted by
the municipalities of Magelang Regency and Central Java Province.

1.When Borobudur temple was built?

a.8-9 century
b.8-10 century
c.7-9 century
d.5-7 century

2.How many monuments in Borobudur temple?

a.one
b.two
c.three
d.four

3.Where borobudur temple takes place?

a.West java
b.Eat java
c.central java
d.Jakarta

4.The eruption of Mount Merapi is also considered as one of the potential threats because of its
deposit acidic ash as happened in_____
a.2007
b.2009
c.2010
d.2012
5.The temple was used as a Buddhist temple from its construction until sometime between
______
a.10-11 century
b.10-15 century
c.15-17 century
d.10-12 century

6.In Borobudur, Kamadhatu represented

a.the base
b.the top
c.the middle
d.the amazing

7.the total surface area was…..

a.of 2,520 m2
b.of 2,522 m2
c.of 5,223 m2
d.of 3,331 m2

8.How many stupas there?

a.73
b.75
c.72
d.77

9.The monument is located in____

a.kedu valley
b.Beringharjo
c.Kulon progo
d.Mangunan
10.Borobudur has been built during the reign of___-_
a.syailendra dynasty
b.mulawarman synasty
c.sang mulawarman dynasty
d.soeharto dynasty

Borobudur is a magnificent Buddhist temple located near Magelang in Java, Indonesia.

Borobudur is a Buddhist stupa in the Mahayana tradition and it is the largest Buddhist
monument in the world.
It is one of the world’s most complex buildings.
There is no written record of who built Borobudur or of its intended purpose.
The construction time has been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple’s
hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters during
the 8th and 9th centuries. Borobudur was likely founded around 750 AD.
The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign
of Samaratungga in 825 AD.
The monument consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by
a central dome.

The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area
of 2,520 m2.
The temple is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.
The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa.
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
attainingNirvana.
This extraordinary structure is built as a single large stupa. An aerial view of Borobudur shows
the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala.

Borobudur is a unique temple located in an elevated area between two twin volcanoes and two
rivers.
Enormous amount of stones, approximately 55,000 cubic meters, used in the construction of
Borobudur were taken from neighboring rivers. The stone was cut to size, transported to the site
and laid without mortar.
Most temples were built on a flat surface while Borobudur was built on a bedrock hill located
265 m above sea level and 15 m above the floor of a dried-out paleolake.
It was built during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty.
It was only in 1814 that Borobudur started to gained worldwide attention and fame through
the efforts of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles when Java was under British rule.
The first photograph and the first monograph of the detailed study of Borobudur were
published in 1873.

The largest restoration project was undertaken between 1975 and 1982 by the Indonesian
government and UNESCO, following which the monument was listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
Borobodor, Indonesia’s single most visited tourist attraction is visited by 2.5 million visitors
annually.
 Conversation between Student and Tourist in Borobudur Temple

Student : Good Morning.

Tourist : Good Morning.
Student : My name is Endah, I’m is your tour guide today. Welcome to Borobudur temple.
Tourist : This is the most beautiful temple I have ever seen.
Student : Yeah. Borobudur is buddhist stupa and temple complex in Central Java, Indonesia dating from
8th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourist : Please tell me about the history of this temple.
Student : There is no definite written record of who built Borobudur or why it was built. It was likely
founded as a religious site in the 8th century at the peak of the Sailendra dynasty in central Java.
The construction is thought to have taken a period of 75 years, and completed in about 825.
Tourist : Hmmm… This temple still holds many mysteries.
Student : Yeah… According to historical evidence, Borobudur was abandoned in the 14th century
concomitant weakening of the influence of Hindu and Buddhist kingdom in Java and from the
inclusion of the influence of Islam. The world began to realize the existence of this building
since 1814, discovered by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was then serving as the British
Governor-General of Java. Since then Borobudur has suffered a series of rescue and restoration
efforts. 's Largest refurbishment project called century effort in 1975 to 1982 the Government of
Indonesia and UNESCO, and historic sites in the World Heritage Sites list.
Tourist : The building of this temple is unique. Is there have a meaning?
Student : The monument consists of six square-shaped core are on top there are three circular courtyard, the
walls are decorated with 2672 relief panels and original there are 504 Buddha statues. The single
largest Stupa are located in the middle once crowned this building, surrounded by three circular
line 72 perforated stupa in which there is a statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in the lotus
position perfect with Mudra (hand gesture) Dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma).
Tourist : Yeah, I see… What’s next?
Student : This monument is a model of the universe and built as a shrine to honor the Buddha as well as
serve as a place of pilgrimage to lead humanity from nature earthly passion turned to
 enlightenment and wisdom according to the teachings of Buddha. The pilgrims enter through the
east side start at the base of the temple ritual by walking encircling the shrine clockwise, while
continuing to climb the stairs to the next through the three levels of the realm in Buddhist
cosmology. The third level is Kamadhatu (the realm of the passions), Rupadhatu (the realm of
intangibles), and Arupadhatu (intangible realm). In this journey of pilgrims walking through a
series of hallways and stairs with no less than 1,460 witnessed the beautiful relief panels carved
on the walls and balustrades.
Tourist : I ever hear about the eruption of Mount Merapi on 2010. Does it give effect to the building of
Borobudur?
Student : Borobudur was heavily affected by the eruption of Mount Merapi in October and November
2010. Volcanic ash from Merapi fell on the temple complex, which is approximately 28 km (17.5
mi) west-southwest of the crater. During the strong eruption of 3-5 November for example, a
layer of ash up to 2.5 cm (1 in) thick fell onto the temple. This also killed nearby vegetation.
Experts feared that the acidic ash might severely damage the historic site. The temple complex
was closed from 5-9 November 2010 to clean up that ash-fall, and the upper levels remained
closed to the public until late September 2011. Upon reopening the upper levels, the Borobudur
Conservation Agency announced that visitor numbers to those levels were restricted to under 82
people.
Tourist : Oh, it sounds bad.
Student : Ok, that’s all for today, and lets enjoy this trip. Thank you for your attention, and have a nice trip.