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Published: August 7th 2007
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Sun rise
The Buddha and the rising sun. 23 July 07
At Borobudur
We woke up at 4am today as the shutter van from Manohara hotel would come to pick us up at 4:30am to catch the sun rise. The sun rise at Borobudur is claimed as one of the best in the world. Manohara is the only one hotel in Borobudur which could take you for the sun rise. If you intend to catch the sun rise, it is advised that you stay in this hotel.
It was dark when we arrived at the Borobudur, with the torch light we straight climbed up to the highest level and waited for the sun rise.
We have to admit that we always have no luck when catching the sun rise or sun set. After disappointed in Angkor Wat, we were disappointed again in Borobudur. The sun was covered by a thick cloud.
After that we wend down to Manohara hotel to take a light breakfast. This is included in the sun rise ticket. The breakfast was really too “light”, if you intend to go for sun rise, better prepare to bring some foods.
According to Buddha Mahayana’s doctrine, before human being was released from
Borobudur at night
Borobudur at night. misery and free from a cycle of life and death, one must prepare to pass through a different stages of life. Thus the Universal is divided into 10 steps and 3 stages. The design of Borobudur was built based on this doctrine.
After the light breakfast, we started our exploration on this great structure. As mentioned above, the temple is divided into 10 steps and 3 stages. The stage 1 called Kamadhatu (欲界) which consists of 3 steps, i.e Pramudita, Vimala and Prabhakari. The stage 1 is at the base of the temple. This is the lowest stage, in this stage, lust and desire are still dominated in human beings. The 160 relief panels at this stage depicting this philosophy, mostly are the scenes of the theme of the law of cause and effect such as every evil action of a human will get his punishment in hell。 This story is called Karmawibhangga (欲望世界及轮回).
We went up from base to the 1st gallery, this is at stage 2, which called Rupadhatu (色界). This stage has 4 steps which are Arcismati, Sudurjaya, Abhimuki and Durangama. In this stage, desires of human beings still conquerable, but a noble tendencies have
Still dark
Still dark. emerged. The four narrow galleries from terrace 1 to terrace 4 represent this stage. There are total of 1300 relief panels that made up of the story of Lalitawistara, Jataka, Avadana, Gandawyuha and Bhadracari. These stories depict on how Sidharta achieved the Buddhahood.
From this terrace onwards there is a chain of niches with a small stupa on the top surface of the balustrades. In the niches, it is enshrined with a Budhha statue. Each direction’s statue has different Mudra position of Buddha (佛手印). At this stage, the east direction’s Buddha’s Mudra position is Bhumisparcamudra(触地印); south is Waramudra(施愿印), west is Dhyanimudra(禅定印) and the north is Abhayamudra(无畏印). The rest of the two are at terrace 5 where it is Witarkamudra(说法印) which it’s position is the same at every direction; the other position is called Dharmacakramudra(转法轮印) where the Buddha statute is inside the small stupas at the 3 circular terraces.
From terrace 4 we reached to Arupadhatu stage(无色界) . This is the highest stage which is made up of 3 steps which includes Acala, Sadhumati and Dharmamegha. This is the stage where a human being is completely devoid of lust and desires and has achieved a stage of the sipiritual
Stupa at dawn
Stupa at dawn. realm. But before enter to this stage, there is a terrace 5. So the circular terrace is considered as terraces from no. 6 to 8. These terraces are only circular terraces with no balustrades, reliefs or any other sort of ornament. This represents that people is in the meditation world. There is a row of hollow stupas at each step, inside the stupa is adorned with a statue of Buddha. Without approaching closely, one would not discover it. If you have observed properly the cavity of the stupas at 2 lowest lever is diamond shape and the upper lever is square shape (as told by ck). The meaning of this is unknown. From here, it is a great view of the surrounding volcanic mountains.
The summit is a huge stupa, its diameter is 9.90m. It acts as a symbol of Tathagata, which means of eternity where the souls return. From the base of Kamadhatu stage, we have walked through the Rapadhatu stage and finally reached to the peak of Arupadhatu stage. After lot of pictures taken at the peak, we walked back to the Kamadhatu stage and back to become a normal human, with lust and desires. (做回欲界中的角色)
Stupa at dawn
Stupa at dawn...yet to see the sun. After a quick shopped around the souvenirs stalls and lunch at the foot the temple, we got to rush back to hotel to check out and back to Jogja.
At night we had our dinner at Malioboro Mall.
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Jacque the idiot
Jacque Foo
What is the government doing?
Indonesian has more attraction than Malaysia, and Borobudur should have earned the same fame/attraction like the Angkor Wat. Too bad their government doesnt know how to make use of such a precious historical site to earn more - I mean money, just like the Peruvian government does. And for Malaysia, I think the so called Visit Malaysia Year is just a joke.....