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Construction of Borobudur by the Sailendra dynasty

c. 780–840 CE·Culture, arts & philosophy·Java (Indonesia)·
c. 780–840 CEDate
Culture, arts & philosophyCategory
19Empires active
Date
c. 780–840 CE
Category
Culture, arts & philosophy
Region
Java (Indonesia)
Era
Post-Classical / Medieval
Significance

Begun around 780 in central Java under the Sailendra dynasty and completed over roughly six decades, Borobudur is the largest Buddhist monument in the world.

Built from more than two million stone blocks without mortar, it is not a temple of enclosed worship but a colossal stepped stupa and mandala in stone: nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, crowned by a central dome and ringed by hundreds of Buddha statues and more than a kilometre of narrative relief panels. Pilgrims ascending its terraces pass symbolically through the Buddhist realms of desire, form and formlessness toward enlightenment. The monument testifies to the wealth, organisation and Mahayana devotion of the Sailendra rulers and to the rich Indianised culture of early Java. Abandoned and partly buried by volcanic ash after the centre of Javanese power shifted east, it was rediscovered in the 19th century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an enduring symbol of Indonesia's Buddhist heritage.

See the world map in c. 780–840 CE →More culture, arts & philosophyThe Post-Classical / Medieval era

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