Borobudur: The Seven Wonders of the World

The world's biggest Buddhist temple and the greatest ancient monument in the southern hemisphere stands peacefully in tranquility.

Borobudur
is one of the seven wonders of the world. The shrine has nine square terraces and a circular top one, is ½ meters high covering a hillock overlooking the Southern Central Javanese plains, known as the Garden of Java.

By turning left following the pilgrims' path to the summit which is 3 miles walk, is a symbolic journey through the three spheres of Mahayana Buddhism:

Kamadhatu - lower sphere of daily world
Rupadhatu - the world of form
Arupadathu - the higher sphere i.e. the world of formless : abstract state of heavenly perfection

The 1460 relief carving in stone slabs that cover the balustrade illustrating life of Buddha's teaching. The total statues of Buddha are 504.

On the upper, open terraces are more than 70 stupas, containing the sitting statues of Buddha. The form of Borobudur
resembles a gigantic stupa, believed to be a structure to assist meditation. On the top, underneath the great stupa, alone under the sky, surrounded by the green plains far below, the sensation is one total release and serenity ..

Nearby Borobudur they are two other smaller Buddhist temples in perfect condition
Source:http://www.joglosemar.co.id/ancienttemple.html


Rediscovery and Recent History

For centuries, Borobodur lay hidden under layers of volcanic ash. The facts behind the desertion of this magnificent monument still remain a mystery. Some scholars believe that famine caused by an eruption of nearby Mount Merapi forced the inhabitants of Central Java to leave their lands and monuments behind in search of a new place to live. When people once again inhabited this area, the glory of Borobudur had already been buried by ash from Mount Merapi. It was rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles who, during his visit in Semarang, received a report indicating the discovery of a hill full of many carved stones.

The hill was believed by the local inhabitants to be the site of an ancient monument called budur. Raffles then commissioned a team led by Cornelius to investigate the hill. It was in 1835 that the site was cleared. Some efforts have been made to restore and preserve the colossal monument since then.

Unfortunately, in 1896 the Dutch Colonial Government gave away eight containers of Borobudur
stones, 30 stones with relief, 5 Buddha statues, 2 lion statues, several kala stones, stairs and gates of Borobudur, as presents for the King of Siam who was visiting Indonesia

source:http://www.buddhism-guide.com/buddhism/borobudur.htm#Rediscovery_and_recent_history