Borobudur is a massive 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist temple located in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. It is the world’s largest Buddhist monument, considered one of the greatest Buddhist archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, along with Bagan in Myanmar and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

Built during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty, Borobudur is estimated to have taken 100 years to complete [2]. The monument consists of nine stacked platforms, six square-shaped and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally had 504 Buddha statues[4]. The overall design is symbolic of a giant stupa, a monument containing relics of the Buddha. The three tiers represent the three realms of Buddhist cosmology: the Kamadhatu (desire realm), Rupadhatu (form realm), and Arupadhatu (formless realm).

The extensive bas-reliefs narrate the life of Buddha, including scenes depicting his previous births as a bodhisattva according to Mahayana beliefs, and teachings based on core Buddhist texts like the Lalitavistara and the Jatakamala.

Borobudur is designed as a pilgrimage site, with visitors entering through the east gate and following a prescribed path clockwise through the three tiers, ascending through the levels of spiritual and physical purification to reach enlightenment represented by the stupa at the summit.

Borobudur was buried under volcanic ash for centuries before being rediscovered in the early 19th century. The largest restoration project was completed in 1983 by the Indonesian government with the help of UNESCO, followed by the monument’s listing as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination in Indonesia. It is a significant monument not only for its architectural grandeur but also for its importance in understanding Mahayana Buddhist philosophy and practices in ancient Indonesia.