Borobudur

Borobudur is a Buddhist Mahayana monument in Central Java, Indonesia. It is a giant stupa/monument that represents many layers of Buddhist theory. The monument shape is like a traditional Buddhist mandala. It has nine platforms. From the top view, can see the upper three are circular platforms and the lower six are square platforms.

There are 3 major levels which signify the three realms of Buddhist cosmology.

The lowest level of Borobudur is Kamadhatu which represent the world of desire. It means people always think and care about material things. It has 160 reliefs depict ugly scenes of human desire and the law of cause and effect.

The next level is Rupadhatu which represent the the world of forms. It depict human spirit is free from greed. The reliefs on this level begin to tell Buddha’s conception and birth.

The top level is Arupadhatu which represent the world of formlessness. It means liberated human has left earthly consideration behind. There is 72 Buddha statues placed in the peforated stupas. This level has no reliefs.


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