What is Inside Stupa of the Buddha Temple of Borobudur?

Several stupas

A dome like monument in Buddha temples is called as a “stupa.” The symmetrical monuments with size of 200 square meter sit on the Borobudur temple.

We will find 73 stupas on the world largest Buddha temple of Borobudur, central Java, Indonesia.

On the peak of Borobudur, there is the biggest stupa. We can’t see anything inside, since its closed (no holes) stupa.

Other 72 stupa are perforated. We able to see clearly what inside the stupas, and if lucky enough, we may reach Buddha statue by our hand.

What stupa means and purposes?:

- to store Buddha’s sacred relic

- to worship Buddhist saint

- to learn a lesson of Buddhism

- used by pilgrims where they circumnavigate the dome

Stupas with mountain view

Superstition belief that if our hand, especially children reach the statue inside the stupa, our wish will come true.

It might relate to the symbol of statue as represent of living Buddha with his power to protect and provide energy to his followers.

The biggest stupa in the middle (little bit far of top).

The biggest stupa is the main stupa. It seems to command the other small stupa. The tour guide said that there is a big Buddha inside the main stupa.

A Buddha statue sits inside stupa

Buddha statue inside the stupa:

- sitting straight

- leg crossed

- right foot above the left one.

- right hand face up

- left hand face down

Do you know about stupa? Where do you see stupa for the first time?