Relief Story of Karmawibhangga

Welcome to Borobudur, one of the sacred buildings of Buddhism as a World Cultural Heritage site. The splendor and beauty of Borobudur has its own historical value for Indonesian people. The Indonesian government has designated Chandi Borobudur as a major tourist attraction, and also a priority tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

Chandi Borobudur attracts extraordinary enthusiasm to visit and explore several narrative sources in thematic tours, with the aim of getting to know more closely the history, architecture and fine arts of this building.

A friendly tour guide, Pamong Carita will accompany you on this interesting opportunity, providing narratives and explanations as a form of appreciation for the study and participation in maintaining, protecting and preserving ancestral cultural heritage. As a form of appreciation for study and participation in maintaining, protecting and preserving ancestral cultural heritage.

Relif of law cause and effect

Relif of law cause and effect

Borobudur wall and balustrade carvings. These reliefs are very beautiful, in fact they are considered the most elegant and graceful in the world of Buddhist art. One of the beautiful carvings is the Karmawibhangga reliefs on the walls of the Hidden Foot of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Chandi Borobudur is Buddhist sacred building, its temple among Indonesian monuments derives not only from the exceptional architecture, but also from the striking abundance of elaborately carved bas-reliefs which cover the facades of the walls and the balustrades - a total surface of 2500 square metres.

The reliefs can be divided into two types: narrative and decorative. The 1460 narrative panels are arranged in eleven rows that go all around the monument for a total length of over 3000 m. The 1212 decorative panels, although arranged in rows, are treated as individual reliefs. The first series of 160 narrative panels are on the hidden foot and consequently not visible. Fortunately, a complete set of photographs was made not long after they were rediscovered, and they can be identified as depicting the operation of the law of karma according to the text.

The other ten series of narrative rupadhatu on the walls and the balustrades of the four galleries. The first gallery is flanked by four series; the remaining three successively mounting galleries have only two series each.

The wall of the first gallery, over 3.5 m high, has two superimposed series of reliefs, each consisting of 120 panels. The upper row relates the biography of the Buddha according to the text. The lower row depicts his former lives, as told in the jatakas and avadanas; these earlier incarnations before being born to become the historical Buddha are also narrated in the two superimposed rows of reliefs on the balustrade. The balustrade of the second gallery has another and avadanas series, but the wall panels take a new theme. As there is only one row of them on the almost 3 m high wall, they are considerably larger than those on the wall of the first gallery.

The 128 panel series deals with the tireless wanderings of Sudhana in search of the Ultimate Truth, as told in the series of the Gandavyuha text. The walls and the balustrades of the third and fourth galleries are devoted to the further wanderings of Sudhana, terminating with his attainment of the Highest Wisdom. There are in all 1460 panels.

The following summary shows how the various series of reliefs are arranged. 

Wall of hidden foot

Karmavibhangga - 160 panels

First gallery

main wall : a) Lalitavistara - 120 panels

b) Jataka/Avadana - 120 panels

balustrade: a) Jataka/Avadana - 372 panels

b) Jataka/Avadana - 128 panels

Second gallery

main wall : Gandavyuha - 128 panels

balustrade: Jataka/Avadana - 100 panels

Third gallery

main wall : Gandavyuha - 88 panels

balustrade : Gandavyuha - 88 panels

Fourth gallery

main wall : Gandavyuha - 84 panels

balustrade : Gandavyuha - 72 panels

Total : 1460 panels

The narrative reliefs on the walls read from the right to the left, those on the balustrades from the left to the right. This was done for the purposes of the procession and the ritual circumambulation which the pilgrim makes, moving in a clock wise direction and keeping the sanctuary to his right. The narrative starts at the left and ends at the right of the eastern stairway, confirming that this stairway is the real entrance to the monument.

Wall of hidden foot

Karmavibhangga - 160 panels

Karmavibhangga

The reliefs on the 'hidden foot' are devoted to the inevitable law of karma. The 160 panels do not relate a continous story, but each provides one complete illustration of cause and effect. The first 117 panels show various actions producing one and the same result, while the remaining 43 demonstrate the many results that can follow from one kind of act.

Blame worthy activities, from gossip to murder, with their corresponding purgatorial punishments, and praise worthy activities, like charity and pilgrimages to sanctuaries, and their subsequent rewards, are both shown. The pains of hell and the pleasures of heaven, and scenes of daily life are represented in a full panorama of samsara, the endless cycle of birth and death, the chain of all those forms of delusional existence from which Buddhism brings release.

Go detail to:

Source: Chandi Borobudur Guidance Techniques arisguide.

Get more narration and materials about Chandi Borobudur in Barabudur atau Borobudur, Candi Buddha Pusaka Budaya Indonesia.

Reading is more fun exploring the thematic narratives in more detail in Selamat Datang di Kebudayaan Borobudur.

Reading in English is fun and also seems so interesting to translate into language that is easy and flexible, get readings in detail in Welcome to Borobudur Temple, the fabric of life in the Buddhist culture.

Explore, admire the beauty of art in pictures and photos by typing the detailed link in PHOTO IMAGE BOROBUDUR.

Selamat Datang di Borobudur

Borobudur Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, this temple was designed in the form of Javanese Buddhist architecture, which combines native Indonesian culture, namely ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo arisguide.

Borobudur

Borobudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, this temple was designed in the form of Javanese Buddhist architecture, which combines native Indonesian culture, namely ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana. Source: Chandi Borobudur Scouting Techniques arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Panel relief Borobudur
The following summary shows how the various series of reliefs are arranged.

The largest main stupa is located in the center and crowns this building, surrounded by three circular rows of 72 perforated stupas in which there is a statue of Buddha sitting cross-legged in a perfect lotus position with the Dharmachakra mudra (turning the wheel of dharma). Source: Scouting Techniques Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide.

In the historical narrative of Borobudur, the relief panels carved on the walls at the foot of the temple are mentioned in the Karmawibhangga text, regarding the offering of footwear called 'Upanat' to the Brahmins.

Upanat Borobudur

Giving footwear with the name 'Upanat', footwear offered to Brahmins, in order to obtain rewards and prosperity in life. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo at arisguide.

Explaining 'Upanat' is the footwear used to visit Borobudur Temple. This visit aims to get to know Borobudur better, learn about its history, take a thematic tour and admire the splendor and fine art of this monument. This is a form of appreciation and getting to know Borobudur, as well as playing a role in maintaining and protecting the world cultural heritage site in Borobudur, Indonesia.

View of Borobudur from Dagi hill

The beauty of Borobudur view from Dagi Hill. Borobudur is a Buddhist temple built on a hill during the reign of Samaratungga around 824 AD.

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of nine terraced terraces, six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur

is a 9th–century Mahayana Buddhist temple, which consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide.

Read the complete narrative and material about Chandi Borobudur by visiting and make your tour even more enjoyable, explore in more detail the thematic narrative of Borobudur culture with Pamong Carita. Reading becomes more fun, digging into the narrative in more detail and reading in English is indeed fun and also seems very interesting to translate into easy and flexible language, get detailed reading at Welcome to Borobudur Temple, the fabric of life in the Buddhist culture. Explore, admire the beauty of fine art in images and photos at PHOTO IMAGE BOROBUDUR.

Chandi Borobudur

World Cultural Heritage Site since 1991, one of the views of Borobudur from the northwest. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. photo arisguide.

Welcome to Borobudur Temple

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of six square terraces and three circular terraces, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur

is a 9th–century Mahayana Buddhist temple, which consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide.

Foot of the temple ----- Karmawibhangga

One of the Karmawibhangga carvings on the southeast corner wall corresponds to the symbolic meaning at the foot of the temple. The reliefs that decorate the hidden Batur wall depict the law of karma.

Karmawibhangga is a text that describes the teachings about karma, namely the cause and effect of good and evil actions. The row of reliefs is not a series of stories, but each frame depicts a story that has a cause and effect relationship. This relief not only provides an illustration of human despicable actions accompanied by the punishment they will receive, but also human good deeds and rewards.

The foot of the hidden temple is a row of reliefs written in the Karmawibhangga text, which explains the teachings of karma. Overall, it is a depiction of human life in the never-ending cycle of birth - life - death (samsara), and according to Buddhism, this chain will be ended on the way to perfection. Now only the southeastern part is open and can be seen by visitors.

arisguide

its fun on the temple trip with me

The Story of Jataka Avadana

Welcome to Borobudur, one of the sacred buildings of Buddhism as a World Cultural Heritage site. The splendor and beauty of Borobudur has its own historical value for Indonesian people. The Indonesian government has designated Chandi Borobudur as a major tourist attraction, and also a priority tourist destination for domestic and foreign visitors.

Chandi Borobudur attracts extraordinary enthusiasm to visit and explore several narrative sources in thematic tours, with the aim of getting to know more closely the history, architecture and fine arts of this building.

A friendly tour guide, Pamong Carita will accompany you on this interesting opportunity, providing narratives and explanations as a form of appreciation for the study and participation in maintaining, protecting and preserving ancestral cultural heritage.

Chandi Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world, the splendor and uniqueness of the architecture and the beauty of Borobudur are displayed on the walls and balustrades which are very beautiful, and have high artistic value. 

Carvings carved on the walls of Borobudur, one of the relief stories related to the depiction of character which is very meaningful for Buddhists is a story about life taken from the Jataka and Awadana texts. One of the relief stories in Borobudur that is very beautiful in Buddhism is the story about Jataka and Awadana. Stories about good deeds and high moral values.

Jataka Awadana

One of the beautiful carvings is the Jataka and Awadana reliefs on the walls of Borobudur. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Jataka Avadana

Jataka and Avadana are treated in the same series without any real differences in the reliefs of Borobudur Temple. There is no particular proven replacement system. The reliefs of the Jataka and Awadana stories on the walls of Borobudur line the east side and are found in a row of relief panels on the balustrade of the upper chain, beautifully arranged with fine carvings and having fine art aesthetic value.

Walking from the east side you will find the first twenty panels on the main wall of the first gallery which depict the journey of Sudhanakumaravadana or Sudhana's sacred works. With a total of 135 relief panels, the first upper wall in the same gallery on the balustrade is devoted to 34 legendary Jatakamala stories. Meanwhile, the remaining 237 relief panels depict stories from other sources, such as the lower relief series and panels in the second gallery.

The row of reliefs on the walls of the first gallery mostly depict avadana. Some jatakas were incorporated through variations. The system in the top row of balustrade sets is very different. The reliefs are almost all Jataka stories, with only a few Avadana stories.

Jatakas are various stories about the Buddha before he was born as Prince Siddharta. Its contents are the main points of highlighting good deeds, such as an attitude of self-sacrifice and helpfulness that distinguishes the Bodhisattva from any other being.

Some Jataka stories feature fables, namely stories involving animal characters who act and think like humans. In fact, the accumulation of merit or good deeds is a preparatory stage in the effort to reach the level of Buddhahood.

Meanwhile, Awadana is basically almost the same as Jataka, but the perpetrator is not the Bodhisattwa, but another person and the stories are collected in the book Diwyawadana, which means noble divine deeds, and the book Awadanasataka or one hundred Awadana stories.

In the reliefs of the Borobudur Jataka and Awadana temples, they are treated the same, meaning that they are both found in the same row without being differentiated. The most famous collection of the Bodhisattva's life is the Jatakamala or series of Jataka stories, the work of the poet Aryasura who lived in the 4th century AD.

The reliefs of the Jataka and Awadana stories at Borobudur temple are lined up from the east side and are on level I on a row of relief panels on the balustrade of the upper chain, beautifully arranged with fine carvings with the beautiful aesthetic value of Borobudur cultural arts.

Walking from the east side you will find the first row of twenty panels in the first gallery on the wall depicting Sudhanakumaravadana, or the sacred work of Sudhana. With a total of 135 reliefs the first upper panel in the same gallery on the balustrade is devoted to 34 Jatakamala legends. The remaining 237 panels depict stories from other sources, as do the lower series and panels in the second gallery. Some jatakas are depicted twice, for example the story of King Sibhi (Rama's ancestor).

Jataka

Balustrade: Jataka and Avadana

The Jataka stories in Borobudur temple are stories about the Buddha before he was born as Prince Siddhartha, which are on a row of hallway walls containing stories that tell about the Buddha's previous life, both in human and animal form. The future Buddha may appear to them as a king, an outcast, a god, or in the form of an elephant, but in whatever form, he displays some of the virtues of which the story relates.

 

Some Jataka stories feature fables, namely stories involving animal characters who act and think like humans. In fact, the accumulation of merit or good deeds is a preparatory stage in the effort to reach the level of Buddhahood.

Some Jataka stories in Borobudur temple which can be seen on the balustrade walls for example are as follows:

When Bodhisattva was born as a giant turtle

A striking example of self-sacrifice was demonstrated by the Bodhisattva when he was born as a giant tortoise.

One day five hundred merchants were shipwrecked, and struggled desperately against the waves. The Bodhisattva appeared, took the five hundred people on his back, and brought them safely to the shore.

The turtle was tired, and fell asleep. The traders, tormented by hunger, decided to kill the turtle and eat its meat. The Bodhisattva woke up, and when he understood what was happening, he felt sorry for the starving merchants. He offered them his body to eat, and thus the unfortunate people were saved.

The Story of Quail and Forest Fires

This relief is located on the wall on the south side of the balustrade on the top of the Borobudur wall.

A family of quail lives nesting in the forest. There was a child who didn't want to eat the living things his mother brought him. It only eats plants and seeds. In the end he didn't seem to grow well. It cannot fly because it has no feathers on its wings.

Without knowing the reason, suddenly a forest fire broke out. All the animals in the forest were confused and afraid, trying to find shelter. The animals were amazed to see that a weak bird, having no feathers and therefore unable to fly, remained calm in its nest and the fire seemed unable to burn it.

Thanks to his attitude and behavior of not wanting to eat other living creatures and always doing good, his prayer to be safe from the fire was answered by God. Even though he couldn't run, he remained calm and it turned out that the fire was extinguished near his nest.

The story of the Bodhisattva being born as a Rabbit

It is said that the Bodhisattva was once born as a rabbit. His closest friends are an otter, a wolf and a monkey. One day, wanting to test Rabbit, Lord Sakra appeared in the forest in the form of a Brahmin who was lost and hungry.

The four friends rushed to meet the Brahmin and provide assistance. The otter brought seven fish, the wolf brought a lizard, and the monkey brought ripe fruit. At the moment the Rabbit can't offer anything. Then the Brahmin lit a fire for sacrifice, and immediately the Rabbit jumped into the fire, offering himself as a sacrificial animal.

The king of the gods admired the holy deed, and returning to his own form, he praised the Hare for his self-sacrifice.

The Story of a Woodpecker and a Lion

This relief is on the south side in a row of relief panels on the upper balustrade.

The story tells that in a forest there lives a kind bird. He has beautiful fur and doesn't want to hurt other creatures. Therefore he felt it was enough to just eat flowers, leaves and fruit.

One day, the woodpecker saw a lion who was in pain because a bone was stuck in his throat. The woodpecker ordered the lion to open its mouth wide and with a piece of wood placed upright between its jaws the lion's mouth could open. The woodpecker was finally able to remove the bone from the lion's throat with its peck.

One day, the woodpecker was hungry and happened to see the lion he had once helped eating deer meat. The woodpecker begged the lion to give him some meat but the lion didn't give it to him and even chased the woodpecker away. The woodpecker left the lion and did not hold a grudge against him. Even though God suggested that the woodpecker peck the lion's eyes to make him blind, the woodpecker didn't want to do it.

Avadana

Awadana is a story that basically has similarities to the Jataka story, but it is not the Bodhisattva who is told. The Avadana story which is related to the Jataka story, where the main character is not the Bodhisattva himself, tells about sacred moral deeds in avadana which are associated with legendary people and the stories are collected in the book Diwyawadana which means noble divine deeds, and the book Awadanasataka or one hundred Awadana stories.

In the reliefs of the Borobudur Jataka and Awadana temples, they are treated the same, meaning that they are both found in the same row without being differentiated. The most famous collection of the Bodhisattva's life is the Jatakamala or series of Jataka stories, the work of the poet Aryasura who lived in the 4th century AD.

The first 20 relief panels in the lower series on the main wall of the first gallery are story panels depicting a character named Sudhanakumaravadana or the Holy Deeds of Prince Sudhanakumara, which comes from the Divyavadana text.

The story begins with the rivalry of two kingdoms: the prosperous North Panchala kingdom, and the poverty-stricken South Panchala kingdom. The Southern King realized that Northern Panchala owed its prosperity to a Naga named Janmachitraka, who was on friendly terms with his rival, and ensured regular rainfall.

He decided to seek help from a powerful snake charmer to move the Naga to South Panchala. For his services, the hunter was entertained by the Naga family and rewarded with priceless jewels. However, a soothsayer advised Halaka to take the never-failing lasso that the Dragons possessed.

Prince Sudhanakumara appointed a brahmin as his future court priest, much to the annoyance of his father's high priest, who saw his future vanish into smoke. The crown prince asks his mother to look after Manohara, and marches out.

Unexpectedly he enjoyed the full support of the Yaksa (benevolent demon) king, who joined the expedition with his huge army. Meanwhile, the king's ominous dreams were interpreted by the fierce high priest as ominous; according to him, the danger could only be avoided by sacrificing a Kinnara.

Although very disappointed, the king finally agreed to sacrifice Manohara. After a long journey, Sudhanakumara arrived at the capital of the kingdom, Kinnara. King Druma, Manohara's father, was willing to welcome Prince Sudhanakumara. The prince convincingly demonstrates his superiority in archery, and then shows his true love for Manohara by choosing his wife among a crowd of Kinnaras who appear identical to her.

Soon after he became absorbed in the painting and annotation, and entered into meditation. He reached the level of Srotapanna, which is one of the stages of perfection. At that time Rudrayana wanted a Buddhist priest at his court, and Bimbisara sent Mahakatyayana to Roruka. Bimbisara sent Nurse Saila.

Queen Chandraprabha was so impressed with the Buddha's teachings that when his death drew near, she decided to become a nun. Indeed, after her death, she appeared as a goddess, and persuaded her partners to follow her example.

The first 135 relief panels in the upper series on the first gallery ledge are devoted to 34 Jatakamala legendary stories. The remaining series of 237 relief panels depict stories from other sources, as do the lower series and those on the ledge of the second gallery.

These stories are not all Jatakas, but also include several Avadana stories. Some Jatakas are depicted twice, although not in the same series. The story of King Sibhi is displayed on the main wall and balustrade of the first gallery. The Jatakas are not arranged chronologically from the Bodhisattva's reincarnation as an animal to his rebirth in heaven, nor are the reliefs.

Jataka and Awadana

Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide.

Borobudur Story relief wall hallway

The beauty of the relief carvings of the Borobudur story on the walls and balustrades. Source: Borobudur Conservation Center. Chandi Borobudur Scouting Technique arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Jataka Awadana

Jatakas are various stories about the Buddha before he was born as Prince Siddharta. Its contents are the main points of highlighting good deeds, such as the attitude of being willing to sacrifice and helping, which distinguishes the Bodhisattva from any other being. Some Jataka stories feature fables, namely stories involving animal characters who act and think like humans. In fact, the accumulation of merit or good deeds is a preparatory stage in the effort to reach the level of Buddhahood. Meanwhile, Awadana is basically almost the same as Jataka, but the perpetrator is not the Bodhisattwa, but another person and the stories are collected in the book Diwyawadana, which means noble divine deeds, and the book Awadanasataka or one hundred Awadana stories. In the reliefs of the Borobudur Jataka and Awadana temples, they are treated the same, meaning that they are both found in the same row without being differentiated. The most famous collection of the Bodhisattva's life is the Jatakamala or series of Jataka stories, the work of the poet Aryasura who lived in the 4th century AD.

arisguide

its fun on the temple trip with me.

Traveling and visiting with the aim of getting to know Borobudur more closely, studying its history, taking part in thematic tours and exploring Borobudur as a sacred Buddhist building is something very special, admiring the splendor and beauty of the architectural artistic value, is a form of appreciation and participation in preserving and protecting Borobudur which is a world cultural heritage site, Chandi Borobudur.

In the historical narrative of Borobudur, the relief panels carved on the walls at the foot of the temple are mentioned in the Karmawibhangga text, regarding the offering of footwear called 'Upanat' to the Brahmins.

Upanat Borobudur

Giving footwear with the name 'Upanat', footwear offered to Brahmins, in order to obtain rewards and prosperity in life. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Upanat Borobudur

One of the reliefs on the wall at the foot of the temple in the Karmawibhangga text, is about offering footwear with the name 'Upanat', footwear offered to Brahmins, in order to obtain rewards and prosperity in life. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. arisguide's photo.

Explaining that 'Upanat' is the footwear used when visiting the terrace of Borobudur Temple. This visit aims to get to know Borobudur better, learn about its history, take a thematic tour and admire the splendor and fine art of this monument. This is a form of appreciation and getting to know Borobudur, as well as playing a role in maintaining and protecting the world cultural heritage site in Borobudur, Indonesia.

Read the complete narrative and material about Chandi Borobudur by visiting and make your tour even more enjoyable, explore in more detail the thematic narrative of Borobudur culture with Pamong Carita. Reading becomes more fun, digging into the narrative in more detail and reading in English is indeed fun and also seems very interesting to translate into easy and flexible language, get detailed reading at Welcome to Borobudur Temple, the fabric of life in the Buddhist culture. Explore, admire the beauty of fine art in images and photos at PHOTO IMAGE BOROBUDUR.

Borobudur

Borobudur Temple is a Mahayana Buddhist temple, built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, this temple was designed in the form of Javanese Buddhist architecture, which combines native Indonesian culture, namely ancestor worship and the Buddhist concept of achieving Nirvana.

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur is a Mahayana Buddhist temple built in the 9th century, consisting of nine terraced terraces, six square terraces and three circular terraces, on top of which there is a large stupa, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Chandi Borobudur or Barabudur

is a 9th–century Mahayana Buddhist temple, which consists of nine stacked platforms, six square and three circular, topped by a central dome, surrounded by 72 stupas and decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. Source: Guidance Technique Chandi Borobudur arisguide. Foto arisguide.