My Vesak Journey in Borobudur (2563 BE/2019)

May 19^th 2019 was a national holiday in Indonesia. That day was Vesak or Waisak Day, the super important day for all Buddhists on this Planet Earth. What is Vesak ? Come on! Search on Professor Google mates!

I didn’t know why, there was strong curiosity in my mind to visit Borobudur (again). Yeah! I’ve visited Borobudur many times.
Then finally, I came again for the special purpose, took all the photos from the panels of reliefs in the level 2 in this super amazing temple.

 I rode my bike and arrived at 09.00 am. Because May is Ramadhan month for Muslim, the temple was so quite at the time. So perfect! 

Lemme tell you my friends. If you are foreigners, travelling to Indonesia during Ramadhan is a perfect choice. Almost all destinations in my country are not crowded.

As a tour guide from Yogyakarta, I got many amazing Buddhist group since 2014 and of course I got many knowledge also. I am sharing to you one of the important discourses in Buddhism, called Mangala Sutta, Discourse on Supreme Blessings.  I will write the Pali first and then with English translation so that you can study later. This Mangala is a short version: 

Mangala Sutta 

Asevanaa ca baalaanam, Panditaanang ca sevanaa , Puujaa ca puujaniiyaanam , Etam mangala – muttamam.  

(Not to associate with the fools, to associate with the wise, and honor those who are worthy of honor, this is Blessing Supreme).

Baahu saccang ca sippang ca , Vinayo ca susikkhito , Subhaasitaa ca yaa vaacaa , Etam mangala – muttamam . 

(Vastlearning, perfect handicraft, a highly trained discipline and pleasant speech, this is Blessing Supreme). 

This Sutta was my spirit and I’ve spent 6 hours to take the photos in Borobudur. So exhausted but worth it! 

As we knew that if Borobudur is the single largest Buddhist temple in the world (Guinness World of Records 2012), UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, one of ancient world wonders, older than Angkor Wat of Cambodia and Indonesian pride especially for people who live in Java Island. Borobudur is 8^th century Buddhist temple that representing Buddhism with local touch.  

I saw many unique reliefs and I am sharing to you guys, my loyal readers. Can you imagine? There are 2,672 reliefs! Here we go the unique reliefs: 

1. Relief of Long Sword 

I saw many different styles of swords in Borobudur, but this long sword is unusual and unique. I assume this sword has special purpose, maybe for cutting the head of criminals. You can see this relief in the level 2 of the Borobudur.

2. Reclining Pose for Inner Peace

There are some ways to meditate in Buddhism such as sitting (dominantly), walking, and reclining. In Java Island has some spectacular reclining Buddha statues but the biggest one is in Bago (Myanmar). Then you can see in the Wat Pho Bangkok (Thailand), and Buddha Park in Vientiane (Laos ). 

3. Making Rice Wine 

In modern society, when people talking about Java, mostly refers to ‘Java Platform (Software)’ and ‘Java Coffee’. Well this is not wrong but lemme tell you, the word ‘Java’ in English is taken from Sanskrit ‘Yava’ means ‘rice, barleys, grains’. Java is the Rice Island and super important plant in ancient Javanese society since long time ago. 

Now, rice is still main commodity for more than 140 million populations in Indonesia. From the relief we can see that someone brings rice and 4 guys putting in the special earthenware jug for fermentation process. Unfortunately, rice wine in Java Island is difficult to buy now. The best rice wine production is in Bali Island. 

4. Respect The Elephant 

Elephant is very useful for many activities especially in Java Island and Sumatera Island. We can see that in Thailand, people respect the elephant so much. This relief teaches us about living harmony with other creatures on this planet. Do not harm the elephant! This is my point.   

5. Relief of Animals

In the relief we can see that if the elephant breaks the log so that deer, pig, and buffalo can walk while the bird watching from the breadfruit tree. This fable contains moral story for us.  This is the amazing thing from Borobudur. This temple has deep philosophy about life. 

6. Relief of Music Instruments 

This relief tells about traditional dance and the music instruments (drum, bamboo flute, and maybe the small bells). Life without music is boring. I love traditional and modern music. Ancient people in Java knew how to enjoyed life with music and dance. 

7. Two Nuns and The Scripts 

In Buddhism, both men and women have the same right to study. 

From the relief we can see that they are reading the palm leaves scripts and a small fire in the middle as a lantern. 

So amazing relief.

Literacy is very important so that we can recognize the facts and the hoax news. 

This is my vesak journey. I prefer to travel and getting new experiences than stay at home watching television or sleeping. 
So, life is a choice my friends. I have thousand photos of panels of reliefs from the amazing Borobudur. I will continue in the next article.

Keep traveling. Thanks for reading my story and please share it to your social media. Sharing is beautiful. 
Follow my instagram account or you may contact me via whatsapp for business. 
Thank you somuch my readers. 

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Fun Yogyakarta Trip with Myanmar Friends! (A Travel Note)

 Gloria and Friends, The Magnificence 8 (from Myanmar)

Let’s make this world more beautiful through travelling, my friends. Let’s spread good words, goodness, kindness, and compassion to all human beings. Let’s try the best for living harmony just like the old Javanese Phrase ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’ which means ‘Unity in Diversity’.

I got special guests last month, a small group of Myanmar travellers (Gloria and Friends). Their first trip 2 years ago was in Bromo and Ijen, East Java Province, Java Island – Indonesia. Then for this year, they decided to come to Yogyakarta! So happy.

We shared many things about travelling, about Indonesia and about Myanmar of course. Did you know? Myanmar (Kingdom of Pagan aka Bagan) and Indonesia long time ago had special relationship (Buddhist Brotherhood), especially in the Syailendra Buddhist Empire (Sumatera and Java Islands). 

The Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar

Yeah! It was long time ago (around 8^th – 10^th Century). For me, learning history is searching our identity so that we can find similarity for living in harmony. Wanna know our trip? Here we go!

Day 1

1. Prambanan View from Rama Shinta Garden Restaurant

The juices from this restaurant are amazingly fresh! Rama Shinta is a perfect place inside of Prambanan Park for watching the magnificent temple from the west side. Super recommended! The best time to get the best photos is 12.00 pm – 04.30 pm. 

 

2. Candi Plaosan aka Candi Kembar (The Twin Temples)

 

After lunch in the delicious restaurant (Kali Opak), we went to this 9^th Century Buddhist Vihara (Monastery) just located in the northeast of Prambanan. 

3. Candi Ijo for Sunset

Unfortunately, we didn’t get the sunset but happy was a must! Nature is unpredictable just like our life sometimes. Who knows exactly about the future? But, optimism and positive thinking are important. When you are traveling, just enjoy! The last was leg massage!

Day 2

1. Candi Sambisari

This 9^th Century Hindu temple is dedicated for Shiva and inside of the main temple, you can see Lingga and Yoni as the symbol of fertility in Hinduism. You will find small statues for Durga , Ganesha , and Agastya. The best time to visit this temple is in the morning to get natural lighting from the sun. 

2. Breakfast in Spot Riyadi

Spot Riyadi is the special spot for looking paddy field and Prambanan from the hill and of course you need high resolution camera for this. Ayam Penyet from the café was so delicious! Very good for relax a while and drinking coffee. 

3. Candi Prambanan and Candi Sewu

 

Here it is 9^th Century Prambanan temple, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest Hindu Compounds in Indonesia. It is the highlight destination in Yogyakarta after Borobudur, the Buddhist temple. Don’t skip Candi Sewu where located in the northern area of Prambanan. 

 

Candi Sewu

 

4. Pantai Timang and Lobster Package (Lunch)

Lobster Time!

Pantai means ‘Beach’ in Indonesian. Pantai Timang is a very famous for extreme activity in Yogyakarta. It is located in the southeast of the city. The Gondola attraction was established since 1997 for harvest the lobster farm. Then, it became for attraction after the TV Program ‘My Trip My Adventure’ famous in Indonesia. It was more popular after the Korean TV Program ‘Runningman’ visited this beach. 

Day 3

1. Borobudur Sunrise and Bukit Dagi

 

Aksobya Hill

 Dagi Hill

Wake up early morning is never been easy for everybody but Borobudur is famous for sunrise program. We got the sunrise but a little bit late and the view surrounding was amazing. Borobudur in the morning is stunning, less people, and perfect for walking around. The most important relief here is about Life of Buddha Gautama (Lalitavistara). 

 Bhumi Samboro Buddhoro (Borobudur)

Borobudur is Indonesian pride especially for people in Java Island. It is 8^th Century Buddhist temple made of 2 million block of lava stones, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, one of ancient world wonders (nomination list but not top 7), and the single largest Buddhist Temple in the World (Guinness World of Records since 2012).Don’t skip Bukit Dagi for different angle of photography). 

2. Candi Pawon , Candi Mendut, and Mendut Buddhist Monastery

After lunch in the Borobudur Nirvana Restaurant (Javanese Cuisine – Buffet), we visited Candi Pawon (another Buddhist temple) and Candi Mendut . Candi Mendut was built by King Indra and represented Hinayana – Mahayana Buddhist Traditions with 3 Buddha Rupam (statue) such as Buddha Sakyamuni (in the middle), Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara or Lokesvara (in the left), and Boddhisatva Vajrapani (in the right). 

Don’t forget to enter the Mendut Vihara (Buddhist Monastery). In the Vihara there are so many different styles of Buddha Rupam (Javanese, Thai, Khmer, Korean, Japanese, Bayon – Angkorian, Sinhalese, Chinese, and so on) especially the Catur Mukkha or 4 Faces of Buddha. You will see the Hindu Guardian Statues of Dwarapala (Javanese and Balinese Styles). 

3. Merapi Volcano Tour and Malioboro Street

Merapi is the most active volcano in Java Island. After eruption on October 2010, this volcano is famous for off road trip. The last, we walked to Malioboro Street for shopping a little bit. 

Day 4 

 Action!

1. Goa Jomblang ‘The Light of Heaven”

Inside Jomblang Cave 

 Express yourself inside!

Before entering the cave 

 

Need team work and watch your steps!

 One by one for photo spot  

The universe was in our side at that time because we got amazing and memorable trip in this cave. Thanks for the nature and mother earth. We got simple lunch boxes after the adventure trip. Then, we went to Pancawisata (Pindul Tour Operator) for proper lunch, fresh and delicious homemade . 

2. Goa Pindul and Kali Oya

 

Before entering the cave

Pindul and Kali Oya are famous attractions for tubing. The Javanese word ‘Kali’ means ‘River’, not The Goddess of Death like in Hindu Mythology. First, tubing in Pindul Cave and then in the Oya River until sunset. The trip was over. The next day was just transferred out to the Yogyakarta Airport.

Oya River

Like what I’ve wrote in my previous stories, I have to finish my ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) project as soon as possible. Myanmar was on my bucket list since 2 years ago. So, this Myanmar Group was a sign from the universe. They came to Java 2 times! I am really appreciated it. 

Thanks for The Supreme Entity; The Source of Enlightenment on the entire galaxy because I have one best friend has the same desire to travel to Myanmar next year! On January! So this year, we must work very hard and saving money for this project. Wish us luck my readers. Thank my Myanmar friends! Hope we will travel again in the future for different trip, in East Indonesia for example. May The Lord Bless Us. Amen.

 

See you again in the next trip, guys!