Candi Borobudur

 

Architecture

The Candi Borobudur is a place of worship. It can be viewed as a large stupa if view from above. The layout of the candi takes the form of a giant tantric Buddhist Mandala. The candi itself is a mega structure that consist of nine platforms; lower six are square and upper 3 are circular.






































Stones from the river and the volcanic stones are collected to build the candi. In addition, stones are cut in to size and they are laid without mortar. The building technique is similar to the other temples in Java where there is no inner space.
When the congregational worship in Borobudur, it is performed in pilgrimage. They move by the system of the staircases ascending to the top platform. Each plat form represents one stage of enlightenment.
The candi can be divided into three groups : base, body and top which resembles the division of the human body.

The monument's three division symbolizes three stage of mental preparation in the Buddhist cosmology, namely Kamadhatu (the world of desires), Rupadhatu ( the world of forms), and finally Arupadhatu(the formless world) which is at the top most stupa.

The Buddha Statues

The Buddha statues are placed inside perforated stupas. At the top level, there are stupas arranged in circular form- the frist circular platform consist of 32 stupas, the second circular has 24 and the third has 16 which surrounds the One large stupa.

Reliefs

The candi constains bas reliefs which cover the facade and balustrades. It is the narrative panels, which tells the story of Sudhana and Manohara.