Indonesian touristic circuit » BOROBUDUR Chandi

The Mudras

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:13:00 +0000

The graceful hand positions of the Buddha, mudras in Sanskritic language, all have specifically symbolic meanings. Six mudras are depicted, the symbolic meaning of each position being long-familiar.
In iconography, the description and interpretation of the 504 Buddha statues of Borobudur chandi still are a subject of controversy. The explanation for this pantheon of Buddhas is sought in the resemblance between the arrangement of the Buddhas on Borobudur chandi and those on Thibet temples.
The deviations, however, reflect the distinctive nature of the Javanese interpretation when depicting Buddhism.
Although one can ascend Borobudur chandi from all 4 directions, the easterly gate is, according to the arrange of the reliefs, considered to be the primary essence.
100s of Buddhas belongings their hands in different positions are placed in niches along 5 balustraded galleries.
The stately rhytm in which the various mudras follow along consecutively creates a unique harmoniousness.
On the 1st four galleries circumvented by balustrades are 4 dissimilar types of mudras can be distinguished. The hands of the Buddhas of the east of Borobudur chandi, call upon the Earth as witnesser to his enlightenment, in Sanskrit Bhumisparca-mudra.
Those on the south side symbolize Charity, the Wara-mudra. Further west, comes the gesture of Meditation or Dhyana-mudra, whereas those to the north express bravery, the Abhaya-mudra.
The entire 5th balustrade symbolizes the Zenith. To all 4 winds of heaven the hands of the Buddha signify Reasoning or Witarka-mudra.
The 6th mudra, reflecting the Turning of the Wheel of Law - Dharmacakara-mudra, is hidden in stupas. During his 1st sermon in the park of the Gazelles at Benares, the Buddha assumed this posture.
Should a connectedness be sought between the 6 and the cosmographic division-the sphere of Desire, the sphere of Form, and the sphere of Formlessness-then the placing of Buddhas on the 1st balustrade, forming part of the sphere of Desire, would be inappropriate.
But as this balustrade also constitutes a smooth transition to the sphere of Form, being the appropriate sphere in which to place statues, the Javanese architects placed the Buddhas there, in niches differently arranged.
The 5th balustrade separates the sphere of Form and the access to the sphere of Formlessness. Here too the depiction of Buddhas in the sphere of Formlessness would actually not be applicable.
Nevertheless, an ingenious solution was found to demonstrate the presence and non-presence of the Buddhas in the highest sphere, by putting them under trellised stupas.
The 6 positions of the hands;Bhumisparca-mudra, Wara-mudra, Dhyana-mudra, Abhaya-mudra, Witarka-mudra, and Dharmacakara-mudra, reveal the mystery which Buddha's serene face conceals.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

The Future Of The Chandi Of Borobudur

admin — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Many problems still remain to be solved. The origin of the names of several Buddha statues aren't unquestionably known yet. How the monument was worked up by Gunadharma about 800 A.D. is myth rather than history. The mystery of the hidden base and the unfinished Buddha from the central stupa still call for full attention. But the future of the chandi of Borobudur is very hopeful. Sir Thomas Raffles was the 1st of a long line of men who were to exert influence on its fate and who tried to save it from decay. Ir.Th.Van Erp, who pioneered later work, restored its archetype architectural characteristics. Renewed dilapidation again required people with dedication. The aid promised by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization and by foundations who aim at the preservation of the chandi of Borobudur, will constitute an important contribution towards a successful accomplishment of this task. In mystical circles it's prophesied that Indonesia shall again attain great prosperity provided the chandi of Borobudur shall be restored to its original state. May modern science and techniques realise this recovery and may the whispered prediction of this mystical world come true.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

The Life Of Buddha In Reliefs

admin — Thu, 21 May 2009 02:13:00 +0000

KARMAWIBHANGGA. The Karmawibhangga is a manuscript describing the doctrine of cause and effect of good and evil. This series of reliefs isn't visible as it's surrounded by the broad base. Only part of the south side of Bharabudhara chandi is dismantled for visitors.

LALITAVISTARA. The life of Buddha Gautama from his birth until his 1st Sermon at Benares, is depicted here. Only one round along the terrasses has been dedicated to this manuscript.

JATAKAMALA-JATAKA. The Jatakamala of Garland of Jatakas, is a collection of poems consisting of 34 Jatakas. Written by Aryacara in the fourth century, these Jatakas contain stories about great deeds performed by the Buddha in his former lives. These episodes of reincarnations serve as examples of selflessness.

AWADANA. The Awadana are actually Jatakas, in which Buddha isn't performing the principal lead. They describe deeds accomplished by the Bodhisattvas in their former lives, steeling onself for Buddhaship.

GANDAWYUHA. In the Buddhist world, the Gandawyuha writing is considered most important. It describes Sudhana, son of a rich merchant, who in his aim to attain the highest Wisdom, meets several Bodhisattvas. The Maitreya-the Future Buddha and Samantabhadra belong to these spiritual teachers.

BHADRACHARI. Concluding the Gandawyuha-the Bhadrachari has been added to it-containing the pledge of Sudhana to follow the example of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

The Spheres

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:33:00 +0000

The Buddha is said to have determined the shape and structure of a stupa by folding his beggar cloth, placing his beggary bowl thereon and completing it to perfection by crowning the top with his stick. In doing so, Buddha gave an indicant of the 3 all-important aspects of a stupa, which consists of a square base, a hemisphere and a pinnacle. At the break of dawn Bharabudhara chandi is sharply silhouetted, revealing the fascinating contours of a stupa in huge dimensions. Buddhism divides the world into 3 spheres, named the Dhatus is Sanskrit. This cosmographic arrangement comprises the sphere of Desire or Kamadhatu, the sphere of Form or Rupadhatu, and the sphere of Formlessness or Arupadhatu. Since the Javanese builders of Bharabudhara chandi were adverse to making rigid demarcations, these 3 spheres merged into each other as a harmonious entity. Architecturally they're portrayed in a trully integrated and splendid manner.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

Historia Bharabudhara

admin — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:15:00 +0000

After a 9th century document was deciphered, Prof.Dr. J.G.Casparis determined the genealogical tree of 3 successive ruling Cailendra families. King Indra, his son Samaratungga and the latter's daughter Pramodawardhani. During the reign of king Samaratungga it's said, a temple was begun, bearing the name of Bhumisam-Bharabudhara, which may be interpreted to mean "the Mountain of the Accumulation of Virtue" in the 10 Stages of the Bodhisattva. Through adaptation to the Javanese speech the name of BOROBUDUR was probably derived from Bharabudhara, which might be the likeliest explanation of the origin of the name Borobudur.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

The Triad Of Wonders

admin — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:27:00 +0000

The triad of wonders (Mendut chandi, Pawon chandi, and Bharabudhara chandi) standing in a straight row, forms a symbolic unity. In the most older of the three, the Mendut chandi, a 3 meter high statue of Buddha carved from one piece of stone, represents an imposing expression of homage to the preacher of the faith of deliverance. Less than 2 kilometers away, separated by the rivers of Elo and Progo, lies smaller Pawon, a jewel of Javanese temple architecture. In all probability this temple served as a stop to purify the mind, before ascending Bharabudhara chandi. A mere fifteen hundred meters from Pawon chandi, a stone hill of terrasses arises, the Bharabudhara with its 100s of Buddhas. When making the tour of the galleries with their high-set balusterses under the heavenly canopy, one may imagine being in a temple. Saying one's prayers, passing along the two and a half kilometers of reliefs to the crown of the sanctuary, resembles a passage along an altar up to the hope for fulfilment. The Pilgrim Father or he who hopes to attain Boddhisatva, enters Mendut chandi in honour of the Buddha. Bharabudhara chandi, nevertheless, is like a prayer attended by the prayer beads of reliefs and graces. It rises to nirvana towards the acquisition of Buddhaship, the absolute deliverance from the cycle of perpetual reincarnation.

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Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.

Unforgettably Gorgeous Moment Of Bharabudhara

admin — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 06:13:00 +0000

A moment in lifetime make one feel as if there were no longer any distance between heaven and earth, and in the creative blending into the whole, the sense of lifetime is being revealed. Such an emotion is experienced when one ascends the stairs of Bharabudhara Chandi, the Buddhistic wonder of stone, in a fully tropical moon-night. Standing in Magelang garden van Java, surrounded by mighty five volcanoes, Bharabudhara Chandi emerges altogether its splendour. More than 11 centuries ago anonymous artists started to build the wonder that they'd fully realizing never witness it completed, but convinced that the next generations would complete and honour their creation. [email_link] Narasumber: Moerdowo,R.M.