BOROBUDUR TEMPLE

The Borobudur Temple building is divided into three worlds according to Buddhist cosmology:
Kamadhatu (The bottom level of the Borobudur Temple)
The phenomenal world, the world of desires.The reliefs of base level, Kamadhatu were covered up with an extra wall before they were completely finished. There are two theories for the additional wall:
1.The entire structure began to slide and needed support.
2.Perhaps the explicit material on the reliefs was considered too revealing for the young Buddhist initiates.
During the Japanese occupation part of the wall was removed exposing reliefs from the Karmawinggha, an ancient Tibetan text that discusses good and bad deeds and their consequences.These oerticular reliefs can be reviewed on the southeast corner.
Rupadhatu (The Second Level of the Borobudur temple)

A transitional sphere where humans are released from their corporeal from and worldly concerns.The Rupadhatu begins with the first terrace. Turning to the left down corridor we see on the main wall reliefs from the Lalitawistara text, a sanskrit manuscript which depicts Buddha's life. In brief the story is as follow: Prince Shidarta, the founder of Buddhism, was born in the Lumbini garden in Nepal. His father was a great king. His mother, Maya Devi, died a week after his birth. Prince Sidarta led a very secluded life. When he reached adulthood he married Princess Gopa. One day he had a vision: he saw four figures that represented aspect of life he had never experienced or imagined: a blind old man, a sick man, a died man and a monk. Having experienced this, the Prince was inspired to leave the palace in search of wisdom. He became Wanapratha or a hermit wandeder and studied under famous teachers: Brahmani, Rudraka Aradakalapa and five famous hermits. Despite their teacher he was still unsatisfied. Prince Sidharta practised his onwn way, that is middle path or madyamika. Finally he medittated under Boddhi tree in Bodhgaya town and attained Buddhahood. After his enlightenment he was named Buddha Gautama.

In the Rupadhatu there are also small Buddha statues in niches in the balustrades of the four terrace. On the first terrace there are Manushi Buddhas who have manifested themselves in the world. Each directional point is protected by a Manushi Buddha: Knakanmuni to the South, Kacyapa to the West, Cakvanmuni to the East and Maitreya to the North. On the three highther terrace are Dyani Buddhas or meditative Buddhas. They can be distinguished from one and other by the position of their hands referred to as mudra. On the east wall: Buddha Akcobya with his palm turned down ward calling the spirit of the earth to witness his victory over evil spirits, and to witness his inner strength (Bhumisparca mudra). On the South wall: Buddha Ratnasambhawa with his palm open, showing giving blessing (Wara Mudra). On the north wall: Buddha Amogghasidha with his raised palm, showing his immunity to danger (Abhwa Mudra). On the fifth terrace: Buddha Wairocana with a circular finger gesture which indicated giving instruction with an honest and pure heart. (Witarka Mudra). In total there are 504 Buddha statues. Buddha wears a cassock consisting of there part two of wich are visible: an outer garment that leaves his right shoulder bare and an undergarment that is visible at his legs.
Arupadhatu (The third level of Borobudur Temple)
the sphere of Gods the spere of perfection and anlightenment. As we ascend the monument, reading the stories and climbing the terraces we will pas six achways. Before the final laevel, The Arupadhatu, we must pass through a double archway between the t

hird and fourth terrace. These are called the double gates of Nirwikala. After passing through these gates our body leaves it corporeal form. Rupadhatu and enters the world of formeless spirit, Arupadhatu. The Nirwikala is the final door leading to the supreme final reality of Buddhisme. The most achitecturally complete archway is found on the side of monument. Once we enter the Arupadahtu we experdience a more spacious and open feeling, different from the confining rectangular corridors of the terraces bellow. Before us are three circulation terraces. Geometrically arranged on terrace are 72 lattices dagobs (small stupa shaped structures) containing Buddha Vajrasatwa statues. The philosophy behind these enccased Buddha is complex and not yet fully undestood. Perhaps the lattice structure representes a seive-like boundary separating the world of form and that of formelessness. Notice that the holes on the first two terraces are diamond shaped but the last terrace hole are square. There is a legend that says if you can reach in and touch the cloth of the Buddha near the east stairway whatever you wish will co me true. At the entrance of each stairway there are two mythical lion stautues that serve as guards. No lions ever actually existed in Java. The symbole of Prince Sidharta's kingdom in Nepal was the Lion.

VISIT BOROBUDUR
Located only 42 km from Yogyakarta/Jogja  the BOROBUDUR TEMPLE is the best seen in the early morning or at twilight.The Other Temples Candi Pawon Candi Mendut.  Further Information please  YOGYA TOURS  (Yogyakarta Tours Operator and Travel Service) to assist you to travel to Borobudur.

GET ACCOMMODATION FOR BOROBUDUR TOUR
All hotels in Yogyakarta (1.5 Hours), nearest hotel from Borobudur: MANOHARA HOTEL, Amanjiwa Resort, Saraswati Resort, LOSARI COFFE PLANTATION  (1,5 hours), Puri Asri Magelang (45 minuts).
Hotel Reservation: Click Here !

USEFUL INFORMATIONS
Entrace fee: US $ 11/ person, with specia

l reduction for students and children.
Local guide: Rp 50.000/group.

YOGYA - BOROBUDUR SUN RISE (2 days / 1 night)

This followedis BOROBUDUR TOUR  Arrangement, special designed to enjoy the beauty of BOORORBUDUR TEMPLE in all time DAY 01 ARRIVAL YOGYA
Upon arrival in Yogya, meet and reet by your guide and direct transfer to Manohara Hotel or another hotel  via Godean Villae (rice

fields view, villages, etc). It will take about 1,5 hours on drive. Check in Hotel. Dinner at hotel.
DAY 02 BOROBUDUR SUNRISE - PRAMBANAN - CITY TOUR
Morning, climbing up the Borobudur tempe for welcoming the beautiful sunrise. Then, exploring the story of the Budha Gautama story on the relief (on walk). Back to your hotel for breakfast. After take a rest and breakfast, check out time and drive to Yogyakarta to explore the cty with visit Kraton Yogyakarta, Taman Sari, Batik Home Industry and Silversmith Industry with their processing and collection. Drive to nDalem nGabean (first priority) or similar for having Indonesia Buffet Lunch. After that, drive to Wayang Gallery for enjoying the short performance of Wayang Kulit (Leather Puppet Show) with its processing and collection. Our last tour is visiting Prambanan Temple - the most beautiful Hindu temple in Central Java. Then, terminated the tour to Adi Sucipto Yogyakarta Airport.

Another activities in Borobudur and its sourrounding.
1. Cycling Tour
2. Village Tour
3. Elephant Tour
4. Elo River Rafting Tour

Day of Enlightenment: Hari Raya Waisak (June 1, 2007 )

One of the most beautiful and holiest Buddhist events anyone can witness happens once a year, during the full moon of May or June. This year, the Day of Waisak falls on June 1. The Buddhists announce the date a year in advance, as they are able to calculate the date with precision, using the lunar calendar. Interestingly, however, Waisak is not celebrated the same date across Asia.

Day of Waisak (Vesak), or Day of Enlightenment, is the annual Buddhist ceremony commemorating Buddha’s birth, death and the day he attained enlightenment. Waisak is an official public holiday in Indonesia. On that day, you’ll see lines of hundreds of Indonesian Buddhist monks, as well as a great many Buddhists from abroad, in particular, the sect Theravada from Sri Lanka. This is a truly amazing event to witness because of its sheer magnitude and location!

On June 1, around 02:00 am, the procession will begin at Candi Mendut*, a smaller temple, and will pass the Pawon Temple*. The length of the journey is approximately 1.5 miles, ending at Borobudur temple. The barefoot male monks dress in saffron robes and the women wear white saris and will walk in a single-file procession, carrying lighted candles. The monks move in a very slow, solemn manner, while chanting and praying, the sounds of which will surely transport you to another galaxy! This is a rich audio/visual experience!

The climax comes at about 04:00 am when the worshippers converge on the monument. At this point, several hundred monks will circle the temple clockwise toward the central stupa at the very top, where they’ll wait for the moon to appear on the horizon, the time indicating the birth of Buddha. The highlight of the ceremony is the welcoming of the audience, and calling Buddha with a song. With a bit of luck, this year, the morning sky will be clear, and the worshippers and visitors alike will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise!

Have nice trip to Borobudur!