The History of Vesak Day and the Construction Techniques of Borobudur Temple | Gita Blog Sport
Gitablogsport.com - Vesak Day is one of the most sacred celebrations for Buddhists around the world. It commemorates three significant events in the life of Siddhartha Gautama: his birth, enlightenment (Bodhi), and passing (Parinirvana)..jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
In 2025, Indonesia will celebrate Vesak on Sunday, May 12, 2024, which coincides with the full moon or Purnama Sidhi.
Vesak Celebrations in Indonesia
In Indonesia, Vesak is celebrated in accordance with the guidelines of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB). According to the Ministry of Education and Culture, Indonesian Buddhists have been celebrating Vesak in a centralized manner at Mendut Temple and Borobudur Temple since 1929.
The celebration was further strengthened by government policies through Minister of Religious Affairs Decree No. 35 of 1980 and Presidential Decree No. 3 of 1983, which officially designated Vesak Day as a national holiday.
Borobudur Temple not only serves as a religious center for Indonesian Buddhists but also attracts practitioners from various countries, making it an important international spiritual site.
Borobudur as a Global Buddhist Worship Site
The religious function of Borobudur Temple was formally recognized through a joint agreement signed on February 11, 2022, by four ministries and two provincial governments.
.jpeg)
This agreement affirmed Borobudur’s role as a site for Buddhist religious activities on an international scale.
The History and Construction of Borobudur Temple
Borobudur Temple was built between the 8th and 9th centuries during the reign of the Syailendra Dynasty of the ancient Mataram Kingdom. Interestingly, the construction of this magnificent temple was accomplished without the use of cement or any modern adhesives.
According to archaeologist Noerhadi Magetsari in his book "200 Years of Borobudur’s Discovery" (2014), the temple was built on a hill that had first been shaped into a stepped terrace. This process of land filling and leveling was one of the most complex stages and required a massive labor force.
After the foundation was prepared, about 55,000 cubic meters of andesite stone were brought in for the temple’s construction. These stones were not sourced from the immediate vicinity but transported from other regions using human labor. In fact, four people were needed to carry a single stone block.
The Interlock Technique: The Secret Behind Borobudur's Strength
The stones were assembled without cement using an interlocking system. Each stone was precisely carved to fit with others, similar to a puzzle, allowing the structure to remain firm and durable without the need for binding materials.
Constructing Borobudur was an enormous undertaking that required years of hard work and intense physical effort. Noerhadi also noted that many workers likely lost their lives during the process due to the hazardous working conditions, such as falling stones or accidents from heights.
Standing 30 meters tall, moving stones to the upper levels was a challenge in itself. Despite the obstacles, Borobudur Temple still stands strong today, showcasing the remarkable craftsmanship and architectural genius of ancient Indonesian civilization.