Visitors Still Ignore the Symbols of Buddhism at Borobudur Temple

The three tiers of the stupa at Borobudur Temple should not be a place for visitors to visit and take photos.

KOMPAS/ZAENAL EFENDI

Borobudur temple

MAGELANG, KOMPAS — Borobudur as a Buddhist temple has been designated as a religious tourism destination. However, the arrangement of visits and visitor behavior until now still often ignores the noble symbols of Buddhist teachings.

Anumahanayaka Sangha Agung Indonesia Bhante Nyanasila Thera said, this can be seen, among other things, at the level of the stupa at the top of the temple. In this area there is a symbol of the Triratna, namely Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, which should be respected. However, the symbol tends to be overlooked.

On the three open floors available for visitors, they often behave as they please by taking photos, even clinging to the stupa. This is even often done by Buddhist followers. In fact, during last year's Vesak celebration, it was also observed to be done by a number of monks, including those from Thailand. This condition is very regrettable.

"Through the visitors' behavior that does not respect this symbol, the majesty of Borobudur Temple seems to have been eroded by the community's behavior, including the Buddhist community themselves," he said when met after the Adi Puja Buddha Dharmayatra event at Catra Jinadhammo in Borobudur sub-district, Magelang regency, Central Java, on Sunday (26/5/2024).

Also read: A New Way to Travel to Borobudur Temple

KOMPAS/REGINA RUKMORINI

Escorted by Paspampres, President Jokowi descended from the structure of Borobudur Temple, Magelang Regency, Saturday (25/5/2024).

Considering the important symbol, it should be that the three levels of the stupa are closed for visits, including for ritual activities. Visitor behavior that is careless occurs because most people see the temple only as a Buddhist monument without properly understanding its teachings, including the symbols that exist within the temple.

In addition, Bhante Nyanasila said that the zone 2 area of the temple is still open to public activities that are not suited to the concept of religious tourism itself. This was proven on Sunday (May 26, 2024), when a group of Buddhist followers who planned to conduct a series of Dharmayatra Adi Puja Buddha activities at Bukit Jaten in the Borobudur Temple Tourism Complex ended up cancelling their use of the place. The reason was because there was another activity happening in zone 2 at the same time. The users of the activity played loud music, which could be heard even on the hill.

The arbitrary behavior of visitors occurs because most people see the temple only as a Buddhist monument without properly understanding its teachings.

Based on the Kayumwungan Inscription, Borobudur Temple was established on May 26, 824. To commemorate the exact 1,200 years of the temple's existence this year, the Adi Puja Buddha Dharmayatra is being held for two days at Catra Jinadhammo. In this activity, certain classes are opened to provide understanding of the meaning of Mendut, Pawon, and Borobudur Temples to Buddhist followers.

Also read: Borobudur Temple Still Holds Many Mysteries

One of the officials at the Borobudur Conservation Office prepares protectors to be installed on several stupas at Borobudur Temple, Magelang Regency, Central Java, on Thursday (11/12/2020).

Hudaya Kandahjaya, a researcher who has been researching Borobudur Temple for more than 30 years, said that until now there are still many misconceptions and misconceptions about Borobudur Temple. One thing he said was wrong was the concept of tridhatu, namely kamadhatu, rupadhatu, and arupadhatu, which was previously put forward by scholars from the Netherlands Stutterheim. In the Kitab Sang Hyang Kamahayanikan, the tridhatu is not at all related to Borobudur Temple.

Another false information is about the origin of the name Borobudur. Based on the presentation by Dutch philologist JG des Casparis, many people then believed that the name originated from Bhumisambharabudhara.

"However, from the correspondence that I had with Professor JG des Casparis, he himself admitted that the conclusion he made about the origin of the name Borobudur was wrong," he said.

Also read: Installation of Catra at Borobudur Temple Needs to Pay Attention to Religious Aspects

KOMPAS/FERGANATA INDRA RIATMOKO

A lantern release event enlivened the Trisuci Waisak 2568 BE/2024 celebration at the Borobudur Temple complex, Magelang, Central Java, Thursday (23/5/2024).

Hudaya is still interested in researching various aspects related to Borobudur Temple. According to him, the temple is an extraordinary building that should only be built with the help of high technology. Each relief on the temple contains perfect and well-embedded Buddhist teachings, without any known design plans or sketches.

What is even more extraordinary, according to him, is that the reliefs were only carved after all the stones were arranged as a temple.