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The Miracle of Borobudur: Famous Wonders

by Mr Ghaz on 06/09/09 at 4:44 am

The temple of Borobudur (the word means “the monastery on the hill”) was built around a natural hill. More than two million cubic feet of stone was worked by craftsmen to create a giant symbol of the universe. The symbolism can be fully appreciated only from the air – a view none of the builders could ever have had…But in 1973 UNESCO launched the Borobudur Restoration Project. At cost of $25 million, 700 men worked for 10 years to restore the temple to its former glory.

The Temple that Embodied the Universe

The Military Engine looked around doubtfully. Purely on the strength of local rumor, he had been dispatched to this ordinary-looking hillock in central Java by the island’s English lieutenant governor, Thomas Stamford Raffles. Although folklore suggested that this was the site of “a mountain of Buddhist sculptures in stone,” on this day in 1814 all that H.C.C. Cornelius could see were trees, shrubs, and the odd block of stone. Reluctantly following orders, Cornelius directed his team to start digging.

Pilgrim’s Progress – An aerial view of Borobudur (above) reveals the complex design of this ancient Buddhist monument. More than a place of worship, the temple’s symbolic structure represents the pilgrim’s spiritual journey from ignorance to the ultimate Buddhist ideal of nirvana. To achieve true enlightenment, the pilgrim travels through four distinct stages (inset) before reaching the central stupa that marks the end of his journey. The ordinary world is represented by a wide platform, followed by five square terraces symbolizing the preparatory stage of the pilgrim’s spiritual transition. At the seventh level, enlightenment is reached, after which the pilgrim attains his spiritual goal: the state of nirvana.

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Tags: Air Asia, Ancient world, Asia Wonders, Asian, Borobudur, Garuda, history, holiday, Indonesia, Indonesia Tour, The Miracle of Borobudur - Famous Wonders, tour, Travel, UNESCO, vacations, Visit Indonesia, Wonderful Places, Wonders of the World, Word search

24 Comments

unown971

Sep 6th, 2009

Well researched article, well done!

ken bultman

Sep 6th, 2009

Thank you for this wonderful story of which I was totally ignorant. The photographs were fantastic and enlightening.

OhSugar

Sep 6th, 2009

Excellent presentation, with great pictures. Well researched. Thanks for sharing a little more history, I enjoyed reading about it.

hippydo

Sep 6th, 2009

I love these pictures, did you take them? I have not seen these wonders of Art before, WOW

Unofre Pili

Sep 6th, 2009

This is arguably a marvel Mr. Ghaz.

thestickman

Sep 6th, 2009

Wow that is awesome!

Phill Senters

Sep 6th, 2009

Great article Mr G. Wonderful pictures, too.

susan

Sep 6th, 2009

What an amazing piece of art! I wonder what Buddha would have said about such a building. Your article is intriguing and now I will do more research on this amazing building. Thanks for writing it.

Kairos

Sep 6th, 2009

I am truly proud of my Asian heritage

Darla Cooke

Sep 6th, 2009

Very interesting article. The pics are beautiful.

CHAN LEE PENG

Sep 6th, 2009

Beautiful places. Have my liked it.

Debra.

Sep 6th, 2009

Nice write and lovely pictures.

cutedrishti8

Sep 6th, 2009

Nice to share this one… Great work…

Idazalee

Sep 6th, 2009

Wow!!! That was really wonderful and amazing places. Beautiful and great photos as well. Thank you.

Melody SJAL

Sep 6th, 2009

Amazing places. Terrific photos too.

ginahinderliter

Sep 7th, 2009

wow, great photos

monica55

Sep 7th, 2009

Thank you Ghazali, for a wonderful article, although I don’t have much knowledge on the topic. But your article spells it out nice clear. I like the pics too.
Monica.

Yovita Siswati

Sep 7th, 2009

Yes, it is a magnificent structure. The view during sunset is breathtaking! I have visited it many times and still found it beyond beauty. Great post.

Rich Dansereau

Sep 7th, 2009

Wow! First I have never heard of this magnificent place. It is very easy to see why this place was chosen by UNESCO for restoration. Great post full of well researched info and excellent photos.