Borobudur

LIM PEI WEN 1106637

The Borobudur Temple complex is one of the greatest monuments in the world. It is of uncertain age, but thought to have been built between the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth century A.D. For about a century and a half it was the spiritual centre of Buddhism in Java, and then it was lost until its rediscovery in the eighteenth century.

The structure, composed of 55,000 square meters of lava-rock is erected on a hill in the form of a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit. The whole structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha.

For each direction there are ninety-two Dhyani Buddha statues and 1,460 relief scenes. The lowest level has 160 reliefs depicting cause and effect; the middle level contains various stories of the Buddha's life from the Jataka Tales; the highest level has no reliefs or decorations whatsoever but has a balcony, square in shape with round walls: a circle without beginning or end.

In total, Borobudur represents the ten levels of a Bodhisattva's life which he or she must develop to become a Buddha or an awakened one.

What the Borobudur related to hero journey that is the varies stories of Buddhist life which is carve on the wall. When Buddha is 30 in age, The four encounters he meet during the first trip have motivated him to follow the path of the mendicant and find a spiritual solution to the problems brought about by human suffering. He left the luxurious life and become a monk for seeking solution to human suffering. He has faced many challengers and temptation from evil but all have overcome by him. Finally he achieves Buddhahood .All the journey of Buddha can fix the hero journey, from “call to adventure” to “the return”.

I think that the Borobudur is very spectacular architecture and it has record stories of Buddha. The whole building is quite unique in sculpt and delicacy in carving skill. In conclusion, the Borobudur is a beautiful architecture for me .If I have the chance to travel in Indonesia, it is worth to go there to have a look.