Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Borobudur Tample

Who does not know Borobudur? This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people longing to visit buildings that are included in this World Wonder Heritages. Not surprisingly, since architecturally and functionally, as a place of prayer, Borobudur is attractive.
Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, the descendant of Wangsa Syailendra. Based Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship which was completed May 26 824, nearly a hundred years since the early days was built. The name of Borobudur itself according to some people means a mountain having terraces (budhara), while the other says that Borobudur means monastery on the high places.
Berundak punden Borobudur-shaped building consists of 10 levels. Height of 42 meters before being renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level was used as a brace. Six lowest level and square in the upper three floors and a circular highest level of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each terrace symbolizes the stages of human life. In accordance madhhabs Mahayana Buddhism, anyone who wants to reach a level as Buddha through every level must be that life.
The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, symbolizing human beings that are still bound by lust. Four levels mentioned above represents Rupadhatu humans who have set themselves free from lust but still tied to appearance and shape. At these levels, a statue of Buddha placed in the open. Meanwhile, three levels above where the Buddhist stupa placed in the hole-hole called Arupadhatu, symbolizing human beings that have been freed from lust, appearance, and shape. The top part is called Arupa symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.
Each terrace has beautiful reliefs that show how skillful. Relief will be read by coherently when you walk clockwise (toward the left of the entrance of the temple). The relief panels tell the legendary story of Ramayana. In addition, there are relief panels describing the condition of society at that time. For example, relief of farmers' activity reflecting the advance of agriculture system and relief of sailing boat representing the advance of the time the cruise was centered in Bergotta (Semarang).
All relief panels in Borobudur temple reflect the teachings of the Buddha. Hence, this temple as educating the media for people who want to learn Buddhism. YogYES invites you to surround each of the narrow alleys of the Borobudur in order to understand the philosophy of Buddhism. Atisha, a Buddhist from India in the 10th century, had visited the temple which was built three centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia and 4 centuries before the Grand Cathedrals in Europe.
Thanks to visiting Borobudur and having Buddhist manuscripts from Serlingpa (King of Sriwijaya), Atisha was able to develop Buddhism. He became head Vikramasila monastery and taught Tibetans of practicing Dharma. Six scripts from Serlingpa also be reduced to a core course called "The Lamp for the Path to Enlightenment" or better known by the name Bodhipathapradipa.
One of the questions still unanswered about Borobudur is how the condition around the temple was built and why the temple was found in a buried state. Some say Borobudur initially stood surrounded by swamp and buried because of the eruption of Merapi. Essentially Calcutta inscription reads 'Amawa' means sea of milk. That word is then interpreted as lava of Merapi. Some others say that Borobudur buried by cold lava of Merapi.
With all the grandeur and mystery that is, only natural that many people of all enter the world penjru Borobudur as a place to visit in his life. Besides enjoying the temple, you can walk around to the villages around Borobudur, like Karanganyar and Wanurejo to see people making craft activity. You can also go to the top watu Kendil to be able to view the panorama from the top of Borobudur. Wait what? No need to worry earthquake May 27, 2006, because of Borobudur is not affected at all.
Script: Yunanto Wiji Utomo

Prambanan Tample

Prambanan is a stunningly beautiful building built in the 10th century during the reign of two kings, and Rakai Rakai Pikatan balitung. Rose as high as 47 feet (5 meters higher than Borobudur temple), the foundation of this temple has fulfilled the desire, to show Hindu triumph in Java. This temple is located 17 kilometers from the city center, in the middle area that is now a beautiful park.
There is a legend that Javanese people always tell about this temple. Once, a man named Bandung Bondowoso loved Roro Jonggrang. Because of his love, Jonggrang asked Bondowoso make 1000 temples with statues in one night. The request was nearly fulfilled when Jonggrang asked the villagers to pound rice and to make a big fire that created an atmosphere like the morning. New Bondowoso can make the 999 statues cursed Jonggrang into the statue-1000 because he felt cheated.
Prambanan temple has three main temples in the primary yard, namely Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva. The third temple is the symbol of Trimurti in Hindu belief. All three temples were facing east. Each main temple has accompanying temple facing to the west, namely Nandini for Shiva, Swan to Brahma, and Garuda for Vishnu. In addition, there are two temples wedge, four of the temple curtain, and 4 corner temples. Meanwhile, the second page had 224 temples.
Entering the Shiva temple located in the middle and the highest building, you'll find four pieces of the room. One main room contains a statue of Shiva, while the other three rooms each containing a statue of Durga (Shiva's wife), Agastya (Shiva's teacher), and Ganesha (Shiva's son). Durga is touted as the statue of Roro Jonggrang in the legend above.
In the Vishnu temple is located on the north side Shiva temple, you will only see one room that contains a statue of Vishnu. Similarly, Brahma temple is located south of Shiva Temple, you will also find only one room contains a statue of Brahma.
Quite attractive accompanying temple is Garuda temple that is located near the Vishnu temple. This temple keeps a story of half-bird human being named Garuda. Garuda is a mystical bird in Hindu mythology, the golden body, white face, red wings, beak and wings like an eagle. It is estimated that the figure is Hindu adaptation of Bennu (means 'rises' or 'shine' that is associated with the god Re) in ancient Egyptian mythology or Phoenix in Old Greek mythology. Garuda succeeded in saving his mother from the curse of Aruna (Garuda is born handicapped brother) by stealing Tirta Amrita (holy water of the gods).
The ability to save was admired by many people until now and used for various purposes. Indonesia uses the symbol of the state. That said, creator of the emblem for inspiration in this temple. Other countries that also use it to sign the country is Thailand, with the same reason but the adaptation of different shape and appearance. In Thailand, Garuda is known or Krut Pha Krut.
Prambanan also has panels of relief describing the story of Ramayana. According to experts, the relief is similar to the Ramayana story is revealed through oral traditions. Another interesting relief is Kalpataru tree that the Hindu religion is considered as a tree of life, sustainability and environmental compatibility. In Prambanan, relief of Kalpataru tree is described lions flanking the center. The existence of this tree makes experts consider that the ninth century had wisdom to manage their environment.
Just as the figure of Garuda, Kalpataru is now also used for various purposes. In Indonesia, became a symbol of Forum for Environment (WALHI). In fact, some scientists in Bali to develop the concept of Tri Hita Karana for environment conservation by seeing Kalpataru relief in this temple. Tree of life, can also be found on the mountains that used to open the puppet arts. A proof that the relief panels in Prambanan has worldwide.
If careful, you can also see various birds relief, this time a real bird. Bird reliefs at Prambanan are so natural that biologists can identify their genus. One was relief crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) that invite questions. Why, the bird was actually found only in Masakambing Island, an island in the Java Sea. Then, whether the species was once numerous in Yogyakarta? Please find out for yourself. Because, until now no one who can solve the mystery.
Well, there are many more which can be extracted at Prambanan. You certainly should not be bored. If it was finally exhausted, you can rest in the garden around the temple. Interested? Come soon. Since September 18, 2006, you can enter the zone first Prambanan not even get into the temple. The damage caused by earthquake on 27 May 2006 is being repaired.
Script: Yunanto Wiji Utomo