Borobudur Temple Borobudur Temple

#Southeast Asia Travel A Library in Heaven: The Drama of Buddhist Scriptures Carved on the Walls The most astonishing feature of Borobudur Temple are the thousands of reliefs adorning its walls. These reliefs are not mere decoration; they are "wall scriptures," pictorial interpretations of Buddhist scriptures written in ancient Javanese. The lowest level, Kamadatu, features the Karmawibhangga story, which illustrates the law of karma. The Rupadhatu, intricately carved, depicts the Jataka tales of the Buddha's past lives and the Lalitavistara tales of his present life. These reliefs, several kilometers long, represent the pinnacle of contemporary Khmer art in their intricacy and expressiveness. Pilgrims would walk the corridors, reading and understanding these reliefs one by one, learning Buddhist doctrine and progressing toward enlightenment. Although some have been damaged by the passage of time, the remaining sculptures alone demonstrate the exceptional artistry and dedication of the ancient craftsmen. Borobudur is one of the greatest artistic and religious legacies in human history, conveying a religious message through visual storytelling.