Historical Origins of Borobudur Temple

History of Borobudur temple is located in the village of Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java. This temple is the second largest Buddhist temple after temple Ankor Wat in Cambodia and belong to one of the seven wonders of the world. There are several versions of the origin of the name of this temple. The first version says that the name comes from the Sanskrit Borobudur is "bara" which means "temple or monastery complex" and "beduhur" meaning "high / above".
The second version says that the name Borobudur History is likely to come from the word "sambharabudhara" which means "mountain slope terraces". The third version interpreted by prof. Dr. Poerbotjoroko Borobudur explains that the word comes from the word "bhoro" which means "monastery" or "dormitory" and "budur" which means "above".
Poerbotjoroko opinion is corroborated by prof. Dr. W.F. Stutterheim who found Bodorbudur means "monastery on a hill". Meanwhile, another version proposed by Prof. J.G. de Casparis based Middle Reef inscription, says that Borobudur comes from the word "bhumisambharabudhara" which means "place of worship of ancestral spirits".
Still based Middle Reef inscription and coupled with the inscription Kahuluan, JG de Casparis in his dissertation in 1950 said that the history of Borobudur temple founded by King Samaratungga estimated from Sayilendra dynasty circa Sangkala sense sagara kstidhara or Caka year 746 (824 AD) and can only be resolved by a daughter named Dyah Ayu Pramodhawardhani in about the year 847 AD. Making this temple according to inscriptions Klurak (784 M), assisted by a teacher from Ghandadwipa (Bengalore) named Kumaragacya and a prince from Kashmir named Visvawarma.
Other Versions
Historical Origins of Borobudur - Borobudur temple is one of the famous tourist attraction in Indonesia located in Borobudur, Magelang, Central Java. Borobudur Temple was founded around the year 800 AD's by Buddhists Wahayana. In the history of Borobudur temple, there are various theories that explain the origin of the name Borobudur temple. One of them states that the name comes from the word Borobudur likely Sambharabhudhara which means "mountain" (bhudara) where the slopes are located terraces.

In addition there are some other folk etymology. Suppose borobudur word derived from the words "the Buddha" is due to shift the sound to Borobudur. Another explanation is that the name is derived from two words "coal" and "beduhur". The word bara said to have originated from the word monastery, while there are also other explanations where the coal comes from Sanskrit which means temple or monastery complex and beduhur meaning is "high", or to remind the Balinese language means "above". So the point is a monastery or hostel located on high ground.

Historian J.G. de Casparis in his dissertation for a doctorate in 1950 found that Borobudur is a place of worship. Based on the inscriptions Karangtengah and Kahulunan, Casparis estimate Borobudur is the founder of the dynasty king of Mataram dynasty named Samaratungga, doing construction around 824 AD

The giant new building could be completed at the time of her daughter, Queen Pramudawardhani. Borobudur Development is expected to take half a century. In Karangtengah inscriptions also mentioned about the bestowal of land sima (tax-free land) by CR? Kahulunan (Pramudawardhani) to maintain Thurs? L? N is called Bh? Misambh? Ra. The term Thurs? L? N is derived from the word meaning first place origins, ancestral shrine to glorify, probably ancestors of the dynasty Sailendra. Casparis estimates that Bh? Noodles Sambh? Ra Bhudh? Ra in Sanskrit means "Hill set ten levels boddhisattwa virtues", was the original name of Borobudur.


The location of this temple which is located in the hills above the village of Borobudur, Mungkid, Magelang or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. Surrounded Hill Manoreh stretching from east to west. While the east are Mount Merapi and Merbau, and the west side there Gunumg Sindoro and Sumbing.

It takes no less than 2 million blocks of andesite or equivalent square 50.000m to build this temple of Borobudur. The overall weight of the temple up to 3.5 million tons. Like most temples, Bororbudur have 3 parts of the building, ie legs, and upper body. Foot building called Kamadhatu, which tells of consciousness filled with lust and animalistic traits. Then Ruphadatu, which means a level of consciousness that is still bound lust, material and shape. While no longer bound Aruphadatu lust, materials and shapes depicted in the form of an empty stupa. This can only be achieved with the desire and emptiness