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ii. Borobudur, pages 39 - 126 is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. It contains the world’s most extensive collection of Buddhist reliefs. Situated in Central Java, near the ancient capitol Yogyakarta and Solo, its architecture is a blend of Buddhism and Indonesian indigenous tradition of ancestor worship. Construction of the temple began in early 8th century at the height of Buddhism in south east Asia. Another Bud- dhist temple, Angkorwat in Cambodia, was constructed in the same period. By the 14th century, the Hindu kingdoms in Java was in decline and replaced by Islam. The temple became neglected for the subsequent 600 years, laying hidden under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth, until Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, then the British ruler of Java, commissioned its excavation in early 19 century. The temple is a single monument constructed entirely of dark grey volcanic rocks, which wear extremely well against hot sun and heavy rain. The monument consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome. It is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues. The central dome is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues, each seated inside a perforated stupa. Pilgrims and visitors are guided through an extensive system of stairways and corridors with 1,460 narrative relief panels on the walls and the balustrades, until finally reaching the dome at the top, giving meaning to the Buddhist’s attainment of nirvāṇa. 39
