The document provides an overview of the Buddhist monument Borobudur located in Indonesia. It discusses how Borobudur was built in the 8th-9th century during the Sailendra dynasty to spread Mahayana Buddhism and reflect spiritual concepts through its unique mandala design. Borobudur also served important cultural functions by illustrating Buddhist stories and Javanese daily life, establishing Buddhism as the official religion, and facilitating cultural exchange along trade routes. While no longer an active place of worship, Borobudur remains a popular tourist attraction and is being preserved through restoration efforts.

1. DD2000 INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORIES OF ART III
IMPRINTS OF BUDDHA:
CANDI BOROBUDUR
CHENG SHAO MENG MERLIN, U1530182E, ADM2

2. TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
• Thesis Statement
• Buddhism: A Quick Recap
• Stepping Foot in the Scared Compound
• Borobudur: A Quick History
• Borobudur: Spiritual Significance
• Borobudur: Cultural Significance
• Thoughts and Reflection
• Closing Statement
• References / Bibliography
Thrillseekr. Borobudur 4. February 11, 2009. Indonesia. In Flickr. Accessed September 5, 2016.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/thrillseekr/3270009548/in/album-72157613542551044/.

3. THESIS STATEMENT
The Buddhist monument, Candi Borobudur, is
a physical manifestation of an ideal spiritual
and cultural metropolis.

4. POP QUIZ!
Buddhism emerged around ________ (year) in ________ (place).
a) 3rd to 4th BCE, China
b) 4th to 5th BCE, Indonesia
c) 5th to 6th BCE, India
d) 5th to 6th CE, India
e) 6th to 7th CE, China

5. BUDDHISM: A QUICK RECAP
• Buddhism is 2,500 years old
• Buddhism arose - Siddhartha Gautama's quest for Enlightenment around 6th Century BC
• Believes that nothing is fixed or permanent - change is always possible
• Path to Enlightenment through practice & development of morality, meditation & wisdom
• Believes life is both endless and subject to impermanence, suffering & uncertainty
• The two main Buddhist sects are Theravada Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism
• Learn more about the differences here: http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/snapshot02.htm
• Worship both at home and/or at a temple
Finotti, Fabrice. “Borobudur Temple Compounds (Indonesia)”. UNESCO. Accessed September
7, 2016. whc.unesco.org/en/documents/133864

6. STEPPING FOOT IN THE SCARED COMPOUND
LET’S TAKE A TRIP TO BOROBUDUR!
The Frugal Foodie. Accessed September 5, 2016. Retrieved from: https://kendallsingleton.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/indonesia-map-microsoft-powerpoint-product-activation-failed-
6212015-23305-pm-bmp.jpg?w=1024&h=502
Located in:
Magelang, Central Java,
Indonesia.

7. STEPPING FOOT IN THE SCARED COMPOUND
LET’S TAKE A TRIP TO BOROBUDUR!
Gunawan Kartapranata. Borobudur Map. March 11, 2011. From Wikimedia Commons. Accessed September 5, 2016. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Borobudur_Map_en.svg
Located in:
Magelang, Central Java,
Indonesia.

8. STEPPING FOOT IN THE SCARED COMPOUND
LOOKING AT BOROBUDUR IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT
Studio Sunday. “Borobudur Temple Aerial Videography Drone Dji InspireOne - Candi Borobudur”. YouTube Video, 3:24. Published on 25 September, 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DiEVUSrRqE
Watch:
00:22 – 00:34
01:53 – 02:32

9. BOROBUDUR: A QUICK HISTORY
• Built around 8th to 9th century during reign of the Sriwijayan Sailendra Dynasty
• Introduction and promotion of Mahayana Buddhism
• Abandon around 15th century, possibly due to decline of Buddhism/Hinduism
and rise of Islamic religion in Java
• Rediscovered by lieutenant-governor Sir Stamford Raffles in 1814
• 1st Restoration by Dutch archaeologist team in 1907s
• 2nd Restoration by Indonesian government and UNESCO in 1970s
• Designated an official UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991
• Still used for pilgrimages today, especially Vesak Day, and a popular tourist
attraction
(Bottom) “The huge Borobudur Temple.” Best Travel Guide. Accessed September 5, 2016.
http://www.besttravelpictures.com/wp-content/gallery/borobudur-temple/borobudur.jpg
(Top) NTU Gem Discoverer Prelude. Accessed September 5, 2016.
http://global.ntu.edu.sg/GMP/gemdiscoverer/Prelude/PublishingImages/Prelude-UGM.jpg

10. BOROBUDUR BUDDHA HEAD
AN IN-DEPTH HISTORY THROUGH ARTEFACT
Denselow, Anthony. “Borobudur Buddha head”. Podcast, 15:00. BBC, BBC Radio 4, 25 June, 2010. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sqw6h
Learn more about the history of Borobudur and its re-discover here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00sqw6h
Listen:
08:16 – 08:50

11. BOROBUDUR: SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANT
• Existed in a period “alongside a flourishing Shivaite tradition”
• Reflected structure of the cosmos, similar to Hindu
architectures – Mandala
• Elements of ancestor worship
• Exposition of Buddhist doctrine, to be experienced by
circumambulation
“Borobudur.” Nathariane Travel. August 1 2013. Accessed September 5, 2016.
https://natharianetravel.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/borobudur/

12. BOROBUDUR: SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANT
• Contain panels of:
• Buddha’s journey to Enlightenment,
• Jataka stories (previous life of Buddha),
• Bodhisattva Sudhana search for Enlightenment,
• Buddha enthroned in heaven with celestial beings,
• Javanese daily life,
• The peak containing 72 stupas filled with Buddha figures with an empty central
stupa
• Expresses man’s spiritual quest as one climb the candi (from profane to
serene)
• Trailokya: World of Desire (Kāmaloka), World of Form (Rūpaloka), World of
Formlessness (Arūpaloka)
• More graceful and more restrained than Indian sculpture
• Sculpted in gentle, more naturalistic style – calm, divine beauty
• Places emphasis on balance and symmetry – harmonious composition
“Borobudur.” Nathariane Travel. August 1 2013. Accessed September 5, 2016.
https://natharianetravel.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/borobudur/

13. QUICK LOOK: BOROBUDUR AS A MANDALA
“Plan And Symbolism Of Candi Borobudur.” Accessed September 7, 2016. http://www.art-
and-archaeology.com/indonesia/borobudur/bbplan001.jpg/
• When viewed from top-down, it resembles a Mandala
• Replica of the Universe
• What is a Mandala:
• Symbolic diagram consisting of various geometric shapes
• Used during meditation to obtain better concentration
• Blending of the spiritual and physical, symbolic and material,
heaven and earth together
“Mandala of Vishnu.” ca. 1420s. Painting; Pata/Paubha, Mineral pigments on cotton cloth,.
72.07 x 59.37 cm. Nepal, Nasli and Alice Heeramaneck Collection, Museum Associates.
Accessed September 7, 2016. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vishnu_Mandala.jpg

14. QUICK LOOK: BOROBUDUR AS A MANDALA
“Plan And Symbolism Of Candi Borobudur.” Accessed September 7, 2016. http://www.art-
and-archaeology.com/indonesia/borobudur/bbplan001.jpg/
• When viewed from top-down, it resembles a Mandala
• Replica of the Universe
• What is a Mandala:
• Symbolic diagram consisting of various geometric shapes
• Used during meditation to obtain better concentration
• Blending of the spiritual and physical, symbolic and material,
heaven and earth together
“Carrom Board Game.” Accessed September 7, 2016. https://www.cgtrader.com/3d-
models/sport-hobby/board-game/carrom-board-game
Carrom – said to originated in India 200 years ago,
top down looks like a Mandala

15. QUICK LOOK: BOROBUDUR BASED ON ANCESTOR WORSHIP
• Indigenous tradition of worshipping ancestor rooted pre-Buddhism
and Hinduism
• Stepped pyramid - particular symbol of the abode of the ancestors
in the mountains
• The nine terraces, counted from the top downwards, may indicate
the nine Sailendra kings who preceded the reigning monarch
Cartwright, Mark. “Borobudur Model”. Ancient History Encyclopedia. 23 January 2016. Accessed
September 7, 2016. http://www.ancient.eu/uploads/images/4476.jpg?v=1453567437

16. BOROBUDUR: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANT
• Spread of Buddhism through Silk Road and maritime trading
• Exchange of ideas such as sculpturing style
• Built in a time where building of Hindu & Buddhist temples are common
• Hypothesis of an ancient lake around Borobudur
• Possible use of nearby agriculture, place is near active volcanos
• Possible illiteracy among those who live nearby
• May have many small fringe groups that speak their own language/dialect
• Borobudur as a “spiritual” capital of the kingdom?
“Drawing by F.C. Wilsen.” ca 1850. Accessed September 7, 2016.
http://www.namaste.it/brbdr/drawings/index_drawings.html

17. BOROBUDUR: CULTURAL SIGNIFICANT
• A “monument for the whole people” instead of royalty
• Perpetual reminder of the doctrines of their religion
• To make the teachings and stories of Buddhism and Javanese culture “official” by
literally setting it in stone, using images instead of text
• “Designed to reference and illustrate the cultural and spiritual world of
the community that constructed it”
• Built over a long period of time (~ 30-80 years), wars, natural disaster
could have altered its original design
• Bottom plinth at the procession path made of a massive heap of stone pressed
against the original bottom storey of the structure
“Drawing by F.C. Wilsen.” ca 1850. Accessed September 7, 2016.
http://www.namaste.it/brbdr/drawings/index_drawings.html

18. BOROBUDUR IN DRAWINGS / PHOTOS
“Drawing by H.N. Sieburgh.” ca 1838. Accessed September 7, 2016.
http://www.namaste.it/brbdr/drawings/index_drawings.html
Anom, I.G.N. “The Restoration of Borobudur.” United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2005. Accessed
August 31, 2016. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001433/143333e.pdf

19. BOROBUDUR IN DRAWINGS / PHOTOS
Anom, I.G.N. “The Restoration of Borobudur.” United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2005. Accessed
August 31, 2016. Retrieved from http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001433/143333e.pdf

20. THOUGHTS AND REFLECTION
• The irony that Buddhism teaches about the abandonment of worldly procession yet Borobudur requires lots
of manpower and material wealth to build
• Why build Borobudur?
• The king as the divine patron?
• To gain good karma to have a better afterlife / getting closer to be Enlightenment?
• To show their loyalty to the religion? To teach about the religion?
• As a show of political power? (Similar to giant Churches in the Western world)
• Borobudur – A mandala, a stupa, a temple, a shrine or just a candi?
• Not known if Borobudur contains holy relics
• “Not a temple since it does not house an image of a god to be worshipped or appeased by donation or offerings”, no inner chamber
• Perhaps outdoor worshipping or used for Buddhist ceremonies?
• How the people utilize and perceive Borobudur in the past vs in the present
• Scared, religious space vs tourist attraction
• The trouble with restoration and maintenance of Borobudur in the present due to huge influx of visitors
putting strain on the ancient monument

21. SAVING BOROBUDUR
National Geographic Channel. “Access 360° World Heritage: Borobudur”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoImek5jnQs

22. CLOSING STATEMENT
Borobudur is a candi that is built to serve the religious and communal needs of
the Sailendra society. Serving as a guide to teach Mahayana Buddhism to the
masses, and setting in stone Buddhism the kingdom’s official religion.

23. REFERENCES / BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Kerlogue, Fiona. “Chapter 4: The imprint of the Buddha” in Arts of Southeast Asia. (London; New York: Thames & Hudson, 2004), 99-125.
• Rawson, Philip. “Chapter Seven: Java and Bali” in The Art of Southeast Asia. (1967. Reprint. London: Thames and Hudson, 2002), 225-239.
• Leidy, Denise Patry. “Chapter 8: Southeast Asia” in The Art of Buddhism: An Introduction to its History and Meaning. (Boston; Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2008), 178-187
• Soediman. "Borobudur, Indonesian Cultural Heritage." Studies in Conservation 18, no. 3 (1973): 102-12. Accessed September 7 2016,
http://www.jstor.org.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/stable/1505653 doi:1
• Tanudirjo, Daud A. "Changing Perspectives on the Relationship between Heritage, Landscape and Local Communities: A Lesson from Borobudur." In Transcending the Culture–Nature Divide
in Cultural Heritage: Views from the Asia–Pacific Region, edited by Brockwell Sally, OʹConnor Sue, and Byrne Denis, 65-82. (ANU Press, 2013). Accessed September 7 2016,
http://www.jstor.org.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/stable/j.ctt5hgz2n.9.
• Arvind Sharma, et al. "Buddhism." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press, accessed September 5, 2016,
http://www.oxfordartonline.com.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/subscriber/article/grove/art/T012016pg1.
• R. Soekmono. "Borobudur." Grove Art Online. Oxford Art Online. Oxford University Press, accessed August 24, 2016,
http://www.oxfordartonline.com.ezlibproxy1.ntu.edu.sg/subscriber/article/grove/art/T010163.
• Yap, Boon Hui. “Diary of "a mass of stones": Borobudur in people's experiences”, Master of Arts thesis, National University of Singapore, 2007. Accessed. August 31, 2016 Retrieved from
http://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/bitstream/handle/10635/16216/BoonHuis%20MA%20thesis%201.pdf
• Anom, I.G.N. “The Restoration of Borobudur.” United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2005. Accessed August 31, 2016. Retrieved from
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001433/143333e.pdf
• United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. "Borobudur Temple Compounds." UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Accessed August 31, 2016.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592.
• "Buddhism at a Glance." BBC. 17 November 2011. Accessed September 5, 2016. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/ataglance/glance.shtml.
• “Buddhism in Indonesia.” BDEA Inc. & BuddhaNet, 2008. Accessed September 5, 2016. http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/indo-txt.htm.