Today’s photo is of one of the Buddhas and bell-shaped ‘stupas’ at Borobudur, the Mahayana Buddhist monument in Central Java, Indonesia. With approximately 500 statues of Buddha, it is one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world.
Borobudur Buddha and Stupa
The monument, which was built between AD 780 and 840, resembles a mandala–a wheel-shaped symbol of the cosmos. The journey to the top is supposed to be similar to the path to enlightenment. It begins at the base in the ‘realm of desire’ and ends in the ‘realm of formlessness’ at the top.
Thoughts/Reactions/Experiences?
Have you been to Borobudur? If so, what did you think? If not, would you like to go? Any reactions to the photo and the Buddha itself? Are you a Buddhist? I enjoyed my time there recently despite the crowds of tourists. It was an impressive structure and I shot many photos. Stay tuned for a complete photo essay over the next couple of months!
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What a great photo. I love it! I haven’t been to Borobudur, but I want to go in the future. I look forward to your photo essay on it.
beautiful photo. i loved this place so much…..so exotic and mysterious….
It always amazes me how monuments and statues that were made such a long time ago are still in such incredible condition.
Will Peach recently posted..Club TSL Interviews: Naughty Nomad, Part-Time Irish-Mexican Pirate, Full-Time Connoisseur of Flags
Hi, Will. It amazes me, too! Borobudur looked great. I can’t recall, but I think it may have been restored in a few places. Still, it’s in great shape overall!
Love this photo! I’m inspired to visit this place now! I am Buddhist and I want to visit various Buddhist sites, Borobudur being one of them. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi, Heidi. Glad you like the photo…hope to do a full photo essay when I’m back home. Since you’re a Buddhist, I’m sure you’ll love the site. There are many tourists there, btw. If you know that going in, it makes it a little easier. You could also go super early–as in the wee hours of the morning. I think they charge you even more to do that (and as it was, it was $$$–about $20). Whatever you do, enjoy!
I’m looking forward to seeing more of your photos.
It’s good to know that there are a lot of tourists. It’ll make planning a visit easier. I’ll definitely enjoy visiting it! 
Thanks for the tip about visiting early!
You’re welcome! I think that it might be worth it to spend more (especially if you’re not on a low budget trip) to get there for the sunrise. But I’d research it carefully to avoid scams, etc. Enjoy!!
About what Will mentioned, the monument was overgrown with jungle until the 19th century (I don’t remember the year), and then it was looted (like Prambanan also). But the fact that it was hidden for so long helped keep it in good condition.
Very interesting…thanks for sharing that!