Borobudur
Kedu Plain, Central Java · Central Java, Indonesia · c. 750–833 CE (construction proceeded in stages ~780–833; other datings place the start at ~750–770 and the completion at ~825/830)
Borobudur is a gigantic Buddhist stupa-"mountain" built of andesite in Central Java in the 9th century by the Shailendra dynasty. Six square and three circular terraces lead the pilgrim towards the empty central stupa — from the "realm of desire" to the "formless realm". It is the largest Buddhist temple in the world and the foremost example of the "sacred stepped mountain" of Southeast Asia.
Dossier
- Type: Stepped structure
- Ancient city: Kedu Plain, Central Java
- Modern location: Central Java, Indonesia
- Dedication: A Buddhist stupa-temple as a Mount Meru mandala: the tiers correspond to the three spheres of Buddhist cosmology, and pilgrims perform the pradakshina circumambulation upwards from the bottom
- Dating: c. 750–833 CE (construction proceeded in stages ~780–833; other datings place the start at ~750–770 and the completion at ~825/830)
- Builders: The Shailendra dynasty (Buddhist kings of Central Java) with the support of the Sanjaya rulers; the architect Gunadharma (by tradition)
- Material: Andesite (volcanic stone) — ~55,000 m³, laid without mortar
- Plan: A square stepped "stupa-mandala" about 123 × 123 m at the base (the original foundation ~118 m); an ascent through 6 square and 3 circular terraces to the central stupa at a height of ~35 m; stairways on the 4 cardinal sides
- Base: 123 × 123 m
- Height (originally): about 35 m
- Height (surviving): about 35 m
- Tiers: 10
What matters
Borobudur consists of nine stepped terraces: six lower square ones and three upper circular ones, with a large crowning stupa rising above them (ten levels in all). The central stupa is empty, and 72 small bell-shaped stupas stand around it. The base measures about 123 × 123 m; the original foundation was slightly smaller, roughly 118 × 118 m.