The basis of humanity finds itself attached to a utopia wherein beliefs and religion have had strong rooting. Buddhism has been a magnetic system of faith that has impacted the action of people and their lifestyles. The island of Java holds its serenity to the magnificent Borobudur temple. Being the world’s biggest Buddhist monument, it establishes the reign of the Syailendra dynasty, a true display of the artistic influence of the Gupta clan. The specialty of being built without cement or mortar, and the arranged interlocking of stonework, helps it stand out. This has rewarded it with the label of World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Structural Symbolism
The apex of this temple has a structure called a ‘stupa’, which is symbolic of “Enlightened mind”. The pyramid-like standing has been referred to as a shrine and even seen as a sacred mountain. The wall of this shrine holds carvings that are told to be ‘reliefs of life’ and teachings of the Buddha. This makes Borobudur the largest host of Buddhist sculptures. The trick of preservation of these sites is believed to be the practice of decorating the galleries of the temple followed by painting and coating of stucco. “Syailendra” which literally translates to “Lord of the Mountain” exhibits the architecture of a three-dimension mandala that is a state for meditation.
The setting of this monument on hills only enhances its glory adorned with open-air passages around an axis of the sort. The visitors have to circle around their way to the upper levels. The untold metaphor for ascending towards the ultimate goal of enlightenment is represented by this act. The revolving around an axis by the devotees showcases the higher states of consciousness, a goal of Buddhism.
Narrative Teachings of Buddhism
The 160 structures that add to the beauty of the base of this heritage, were intended to support the newly added weight after its construction on rediscovery in the late 19th century. These sculptures narrate the teachings of Buddha through his life journey also known as ‘Jakarta Tales’. The three-tier are representative of the three realms i.e., Kamadhatu, Rupadhatu, and Arupadhatu. Each of them stands as the base, the five square terraces, and the three circular platforms coupled with the big stupa respectively.
Kamadhatu represents the realm of desires and has 160 panels fenced with ‘ratnas’, and spell the story from Karmawibhangga.
Rupadhatu symbolizes the ream of form, believing the freedom from the desires but are entangled in the limits put by the body and human form. Here, visitors are fascinated by the carvings of Buddhas and the stupas that surround the tier.
Arupadhatu symbolizes the realm of the absence of the forms which implies that humans have freed themselves from both forms and desires, but are yet to attain Nirvana. The artistry of variants of buddha in the holes of stupas that are constructed insinuates the peeks of Nirvana yet out of reach similar to the buddhas.
And finally at the very top, stands the ultimate ‘perfection’ referred to as Nirvana in the poetic scheme of things which happens to be empty, as a metaphor for wisdom and completion of human attainment.
Enlightenment in walls of Borobudur The state of enlightenment embraces the concept of “self-existent essence” which beliefs in a plurality of eliminating the suffering and dissatisfaction of sentient beings. Devotees will find this message to resonate with the messages designed on the walls of the temple. The circumambulating around the path is reflective of the spiritual path towards enlightenment. Alongside that, another perspective centers around the introspection that the clockwise movement is similar to that of the macrocosmic path of the sun. This is illustrative of the metaphor of emerging from the dark into light i.e. movement from dark galleries into open airwalk ways that are illuminating as spiritual enlightenment.
In Buddhism, ergo, the journey towards light and its attainment becomes the ultimate goal. The stupa at the tip of the temple which sits like a crown is a tribute to the ‘Great Sun Buddha’. What adds to this symbolism, whose purpose is fulfilled by the Borobudur, is strategically located in the vicinity of a volcano and mountains. The seasonal rising of the sun from a specific angle in the east seemingly emerges out of the mountains and strikes the temple’s peak. No wonder this picturesque sight evokes the calm and meditative aura that stands for the ultimate path to Nirvana.