Download Buddhism Presentation

Buddhism Presentation
Comparative Religion
Emily Marbury
Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple, located in Indonesia. It is
made up of six square platforms with three circular platforms on top of that and it is
decorated with 504 Buddha statues.
It was built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty. It
was abandoned in the 14th century. Why it was abandoned is still a mystery to this
day. For centuries it was hidden under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth. In
1814 the British rediscovered it.
The temple is used as both a shrine to Buddha as well as a place for Buddhist
pilgrimage. The journey for pilgrims starts at the base of the monument and it
follows a path around the monument and ascends to the top through three levels
that are symbolic of Buddhist cosmology. The levels begin with Kamadhatu, the
world of desire. Next is Pupadhatu, the world of forms, and finally Arupadhatu, the
world of formlessness. Once at the top, it is used as sacred place for meditation and
prayer.
The Borobudur Temple is still used in the way for pilgrimage once a year. It is
also Indonesia’s most visited tourist attraction.
Sources:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592