From my research, Borobudur is a 9 th century Mahayana monument in Magelang, Central Jaya, Indonesia.
The monument consists of six square platforms topped by three ciricular platforms.There is decorated with 2672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. 72 Buddha statue seated inside a perforated stupa is surrounded at the main dome .
Rupadhatu (The Second Level of the BOROBUDUR TEMPLE)
A transitional sphere where humans are released from their corporeal from and worldly concerns.The Rupadhatu begins with the first terrace. Turning to the left down corridor we see on the main wall reliefs from the Lalitawistara text, a sanskrit manuscript which depicts Buddha's life. In brief the story is as follow: Prince Shidarta, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the Lumbini garden in Nepal. His father was a great king. His mother, Maya Devi, died a week after his birth. Prince Sidarta led a very secluded life. When he reached adulthood he married Princess Gopa. One day he had a vision: he saw four figures that represented aspect of life he had never experienced or imagined: a blind old man, a sick man, a died man and a monk. Having experienced this, the Prince was inspired to leave the palace in search of wisdom. He became Wanapratha or a hermit wandeder and studied under famous teachers: Brahmani, Rudraka Aradakalapa and five famous hermits. Despite their teacher he was still unsatisfied. Prince Sidharta practised his onwn way, that is middle path or madyamika. Finally he medittated under Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya town and attained Buddhahood. After his enlightenment he was named Buddha Gautama.
In the Rupadhatu there are also small Buddha statues in niches in the balustrades of the four terrace. On the first terrace there are Manushi Buddhas who have manifested themselves in the world. Each directional point is protected by a Manushi Buddha: Knakanmuni to the South, Kacyapa to the West, Cakvanmuni to the East and Maitreya to the North. On the three highther terrace are Dyani Buddhas or meditative Buddhas. They can be distinguished from one and other by the position of their hands referred to as mudra. On the east wall: Buddha Akcobya with his palm turned down ward calling the spirit of the earth to witness his victory over evil spirits, and to witness his inner strength (Bhumisparca mudra). On the South wall: Buddha Ratnasambhawa with his palm open, showing giving blessing (Wara Mudra). On the north wall: Buddha Amogghasidha with his raised palm, showing his immunity to danger (Abhwa Mudra). On the fifth terrace: Buddha Wairocana with a circular finger gesture which indicated giving instruction with an honest and pure heart. (Witarka Mudra). In total there are 504 Buddha statues. Buddha wears a cassock consisting of there part two of wich are visible: an outer garment that leaves his right shoulder bare and an undergarment that is visible at his legs.
A transitional sphere where humans are released from their corporeal from and worldly concerns.The Rupadhatu begins with the first terrace. Turning to the left down corridor we see on the main wall reliefs from the Lalitawistara text, a sanskrit manuscript which depicts Buddha's life. In brief the story is as follow: Prince Shidarta, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the Lumbini garden in Nepal. His father was a great king. His mother, Maya Devi, died a week after his birth. Prince Sidarta led a very secluded life. When he reached adulthood he married Princess Gopa. One day he had a vision: he saw four figures that represented aspect of life he had never experienced or imagined: a blind old man, a sick man, a died man and a monk. Having experienced this, the Prince was inspired to leave the palace in search of wisdom. He became Wanapratha or a hermit wandeder and studied under famous teachers: Brahmani, Rudraka Aradakalapa and five famous hermits. Despite their teacher he was still unsatisfied. Prince Sidharta practised his onwn way, that is middle path or madyamika. Finally he medittated under Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya town and attained Buddhahood. After his enlightenment he was named Buddha Gautama.
In the Rupadhatu there are also small Buddha statues in niches in the balustrades of the four terrace. On the first terrace there are Manushi Buddhas who have manifested themselves in the world. Each directional point is protected by a Manushi Buddha: Knakanmuni to the South, Kacyapa to the West, Cakvanmuni to the East and Maitreya to the North. On the three highther terrace are Dyani Buddhas or meditative Buddhas. They can be distinguished from one and other by the position of their hands referred to as mudra. On the east wall: Buddha Akcobya with his palm turned down ward calling the spirit of the earth to witness his victory over evil spirits, and to witness his inner strength (Bhumisparca mudra). On the South wall: Buddha Ratnasambhawa with his palm open, showing giving blessing (Wara Mudra). On the north wall: Buddha Amogghasidha with his raised palm, showing his immunity to danger (Abhwa Mudra). On the fifth terrace: Buddha Wairocana with a circular finger gesture which indicated giving instruction with an honest and pure heart. (Witarka Mudra). In total there are 504 Buddha statues. Buddha wears a cassock consisting of there part two of wich are visible: an outer garment that leaves his right shoulder bare and an undergarment that is visible at his legs.
Arupadhatu (The third level of BOROBUDUR TEMPLE)
The sphere of Gods the spere of perfection and anlightenment. As we ascend the monument, reading the stories and climbing the terraces we will pas six achways. Before the final laevel, The Arupadhatu, we must pass through a double archway between the third and fourth terrace. These are called the double gates of Nirwikala. After passing through these gates our body leaves it corporeal form. Rupadhatu and enters the world of formeless spirit, Arupadhatu. The Nirwikala is the final door leading to the supreme final reality of Buddhisme. The most achitecturally complete archway is found on the side of monument. Once we enter the Arupadahtu we experdience a more spacious and open feeling, different from the confining rectangular corridors of the terraces bellow. Before us are three circulation terraces. Geometrically arranged on terrace are 72 lattices dagobs (small stupa shaped structures) containing Buddha Vajrasatwa statues. The philosophy behind these enccased Buddha is complex and not yet fully undestood. Perhaps the lattice structure representes a seive-like boundary separating the world of form and that of formelessness. Notice that the holes on the first two terraces are diamond shaped but the last terrace hole are square. There is a legend that says if you can reach in and touch the cloth of the Buddha near the east stairway whatever you wish will come true. At the entrance of each stairway there are two mythical lion stautues that serve as guards. No lions ever actually existed in Java. The symbole of Prince Sidharta's kingdom in Nepal was the Lion.
Now BOROBUDUR TEMPLE although is not one of the world seven wonders anymore, but for the Indonesian, especially for Javanese peoples, the BOROBUDUR TEMPLE is still immortalized as only a great wonder now and forever as dignity symbole of the javanese civilization.
The sphere of Gods the spere of perfection and anlightenment. As we ascend the monument, reading the stories and climbing the terraces we will pas six achways. Before the final laevel, The Arupadhatu, we must pass through a double archway between the third and fourth terrace. These are called the double gates of Nirwikala. After passing through these gates our body leaves it corporeal form. Rupadhatu and enters the world of formeless spirit, Arupadhatu. The Nirwikala is the final door leading to the supreme final reality of Buddhisme. The most achitecturally complete archway is found on the side of monument. Once we enter the Arupadahtu we experdience a more spacious and open feeling, different from the confining rectangular corridors of the terraces bellow. Before us are three circulation terraces. Geometrically arranged on terrace are 72 lattices dagobs (small stupa shaped structures) containing Buddha Vajrasatwa statues. The philosophy behind these enccased Buddha is complex and not yet fully undestood. Perhaps the lattice structure representes a seive-like boundary separating the world of form and that of formelessness. Notice that the holes on the first two terraces are diamond shaped but the last terrace hole are square. There is a legend that says if you can reach in and touch the cloth of the Buddha near the east stairway whatever you wish will come true. At the entrance of each stairway there are two mythical lion stautues that serve as guards. No lions ever actually existed in Java. The symbole of Prince Sidharta's kingdom in Nepal was the Lion.
Now BOROBUDUR TEMPLE although is not one of the world seven wonders anymore, but for the Indonesian, especially for Javanese peoples, the BOROBUDUR TEMPLE is still immortalized as only a great wonder now and forever as dignity symbole of the javanese civilization.
How relates to the Hero's Journey ?
In my opinion , this Borobudur similarity to the Hero's Journey. first of all we are talking about the Prince Shidarta. One day , after the prince married he was dreamed. in his dream he saw 4 figures to represent 4 daily life . so the prince decided to go out to observed more and more in his dream because this figures he never seen before. he feel very curious and want to know why course this 4 figures happened like that ? the princess have 5 popular teacher to teach him about the inspired and meditation but he doesn't fully happy about that. The prince use his own way to find out the mystery dream, this just like the hero's journey ,the hero use his own way to observed and find out the problem and solve it. At last , the prince meditated under a tree and finally he success about the inspiration in his dream. this is similar to hero's journey , after success to observed and solve problem , then will success based on a lot of experience that we observed.
How relates to the Plato's Cave?
The prince he dreamed, and in his dream appear 4 figure that is a blind old man, a sick man, a died man and a monk. he feel very curious why the 4 figure like this. he try to find out this answer . he try to ask somebody but they tell him everything is well , nothing will happen like this.Thus, when he go out to find the answer ,finally he understand what the dream become like this. he share his opinion and experience to people but nobody trust him about his dream, just himself know what he dream only. when he tell someone, they laugh him about his stupid dream. Although he was laugh by them , finally he success to share out all his good experience to people and let people learn from this story.
Borobudur.(2012.).Retrieved from http://baike.baidu.com/view/90936.htm
Borobudur.(2012).wikipedia. Retrieved fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur
Borobudur.(2012.).Retrieved from http://baike.baidu.com/view/90936.htm
Borobudur.(2012).wikipedia. Retrieved fromhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur
By Chia Ing Kiong 1004212
Lee Jia Jing 1005159
Goh Mei Yi 1200070
Lee Jia Jing 1005159
Goh Mei Yi 1200070
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ReplyDeleteGood work finding the material. But this is all cut and paste. I dont know if you have understood what you are writing here because your own thinking is not here.
ReplyDeleteWhat is your source? List it please. The question is how this relates to the Hero's journey? And how is it related to Plato's cave? Please do some thinking and writing of your own.
Thank you,
Ray