The Discovery of Borobudur Temple

For centuries, Borobudur had been buried in the darkness of history. Since the center of the culture moved from Central Java to East Java and Islam religion entered Indonesia, Borobudur Temple was totally forgotten. The remains of the greatness of Sailendra Dynasty sank into the darkness of a bushy jungle.

Borobudur was remembered again in the 18th century. In 1814, Borobudur Temple entirely emerged due to the great role of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles.

A Secret Revealed

It is mentioned in history books that the discoverer of Borobudur Temple was Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. The true discoverer of the temple were in fact the people around the Borobudur hill.

Raffles was the British Governor who represented Indonesia when the country was ruled by the British (1811—1816). Raffles was very interested in the history of Java Island. Raffles travelled a lot to various areas collecting information about the history of Java Island from the officials he met. The result of the journey was compiled in his book entitled History of Java, published in 1817. Since the publication of this book, Borobudur Temple became more popular.

Raffles’ efforts brought two contrasting results. On the one hand, Borobudur Temple became popular. On the other hand, since the discovery of Borodudur, many local people took the temple’s stones to be used as building materials.

The remains of the greatness of Sailendra Dynasty was almost forgotten by the history when the center of the culture moved to East Java in the 10th century A.D.

The name of Borobudur Temple was recorded again in Babad Mataram in 1757.

The holy and sacred Borobudur hill was once the witness of the rebellions annihilation by the ruler of Mataram in the 18th century. Sang Buddha was not willing that his ”eternity” was interrupted by the rebels.

These stupas would have never emerged in the history if Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles had not been concerned about the history of Java.

Borobudur Temple was no longer an eerie place since the attempts of cleaning and conserving, but during the same time, many stones were stolen from the temple.

Borobudur Temple became popular and will never be forgotten since the publication of ” History of Java” in 1817.

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The Location of Borobudur Temple

Borobudur Temple is located in Mungkid, about 15 kilometres to the south of Mount Tidar. Mount Tidar is believed as a fragment of Mount Mahameru in India brought here by the gods to nail down the Java Island which was then still floating unsteadily in the middle of the sea. The gods used Mount Tidar to tack the island firmly onto the Earth in order that humans could inhabit it. The legend names Mount Tidar as ” The Nail of Java Island.”

The area around ” The Nail of Java Island” is known as ” Kedu Plain”. The fertile soil and hardworking people are the reason why the area is well known as ”The Garden of Java Island”. Amid ”The Garden of Java Island”, Borobudur Temple was built by kings of the Sailendra Dynasty.

The Garden of Java Island where Borobudur Temple lies is surrounded by mountains and a mountain range. Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu guard the east side. In the northeast side, stand Mount Sindoro and Mount Sumbing. Meanwhile, the north and south sides of the temple are shielded by the range of Mount Tidar and Menoreh Mountains.

If it is seen from Borobudur Temple, the crest of Menoreh Mountains resembles a human figure in lying down pose. According to legend, it is Sang Gunadarma who is believed to be the architect of Borobudur Temple.

Not far from Borobudur Temple run two big rivers namely River Progo and River Elo. Both big rivers run almost in parallel flows from north to south and are blocked by the slope of Mountain Menoreh to entwine as River Progo which flows to the South Sea. It is believed that the stones used for constructing Borobudur Temple came from these two rivers.

Formerly, the area surrounding the confluence of River Progo and River Elo was a sacred shrine for the followers of Buddhism and Hinduism. It was proven by many temples found in this area. The remnants of Hindu temples are Banon Temple and Ngrajeg Temple. While those of Buddhist temples are Ngawen Temple, Mendut Temple, Pawon Temple, and Borobudur Temple.

Borobudur Temple had been built on the top of a hill which stretches horizontally from the east to the west. The back of the hill was transformed into a plane high land and on the top of it, the temple was built. The plains stretching at the west side was intended to be the place to build a monastery.

The high land which becomes the yard of the temple, is 15 metres above the surrounding area. And the top of the temple stands 19 metres above the temple’s yard. Borobudur Temple is built around and surrounds the top of the hill.

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The Age and the Name of Borobudur Temple

Some evidences were found by experts to be used in determining the age or era in which Borobudur Temple was built. Based on the short writings in Sanskrit and in Kawi letters which are carved on the bottom relief, experts suggest that Borobudur Temple was built around 800 A.D.

Such an expert’s opinion turns out to be in line with the historical frame of Indonesia in general and the history of Central Java in particular. The period between the 8th century and the mid of 9th century is known as the golden era of Sailendra Dynasty. This era is marked by the big number of temples built.

A Secret Revealed
The way experts determine the age of Borobudur Temple is is based on the ancient letters or writings which is called Paleography (a science of ancient writings). By comparing the shape of letters on Borobudur Temple and the shape of letters on the inscriptions of which the year number is known , then the age of Borobudur Temple can be revealed.

Rakai Panangkaran was the king who played a major role in the construction of Borobudur Temple. Rakai Panangkaran was the second king of Sanjaya Dynasty who converted himself to Buddhism and whose glory remained during Sailendra Dynasty as a loyal follower of Sang Buddha.

The name of Borobudur. According to Casparis, a Dutch archaeologist, the word Borobudur came from the phrase ” Bhumi Sambhara Budhara”. This is the name of a sanctuary mentioned on the Sri Kahulunan Inscription (824 A.D.). Casparis concluded the sanctuary or monastery mentioned on the Sri Kahulunan Inscription with Borobudur Temple.

Other experts, Poerbatjaraka and Stutterheim suggested that the name Borobudur came from the combination of ” Boro” and ” Budur”. Boro comes from the Sanskrit ” Vihara” which means a complex of temple ( monastery) or a dormitory. While ” Budur” in Balinese has the same meaning as ” Beduhur” which means ”top”. Therefore, the name Borobudur means a dormitory or monastery (complex of temple) which lies on the top of a hill.

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