BOROBUDUR TEMPLE
This monument consists of six square terraces on which there are three circular courtyard, the walls are decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues are original. Borobudur has the most complete collection of Buddhist reliefs in the world. The main stupa in the middle of the biggest teletak once crowned this building, surrounded by three rows of circular 72 perforated stupas in which there is a statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in the lotus position perfectly with mudra (hand gesture) Dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma).
This monument is a model of the universe and built as a shrine to honor Buddha also functions as a place of pilgrimage to lead mankind to switch from natural lust to enlightenment and wisdom according to the teachings of Buddha. The pilgrims enter through the east side begin the ritual at the base of the temple with the walk this sacred building circling clockwise, while continuing to ascend to the next steps through the three levels of the realm in Buddhist cosmology. The third level is Kamadhatu (the realm of lust), Rupadhatu (the realm of intangibles), and Arupadhatu (formless realm). In this journey the pilgrim goes through a series of hallways and stairs with witnessing no less than 1,460 beautiful relief panels carved on the walls and balustrades.
According to historical evidence, Borobudur was abandoned in the 14th century as the weakening of the influence of Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms in Java as well as begin the influence of Islam. The world began to realize the existence of this building since it was discovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the then as the British Governor General on Java. Since then Borobudur has suffered a series of rescue and restoration efforts. The largest restoration project was held in the period 1975 to 1982 for the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and UNESCO, then this historic site included in the list of World Heritage Sites.Borobudur is still used as a place of religious pilgrimage; each year Buddhists who come from all over Indonesia and abroad gathered at Borobudur to celebrate Vesak Trisuci. In the world of tourism, tourism Borobudur is Indonesia's single most visited by tourists.
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