The Buddhist sculpture in Indonesia just like the rest of Southeast Asia is reportedly influenced by the Indian Buddhist sculpture since the 1st century. The Sri Vijaya Empire being based in the islands of Java and Sumatra located in west Indonesia tended to rule the areas near the Southeast Asian Peninsula due to maritime power. The Sri Vijaya Empire under the Sailendra rulers is known to have taken to Mahayana and Vajrayana forms of Buddhism. Hence one comes across a number of Mahayana Bodhisattvas belonging to this period. These Buddhist sculptures in Indonesia are known to be mostly characterized by firm elegance and the sophistication on technical lines.
In Java and Sumatra you are bound to find elegant and classy architectural remains of Buddhist sculpture forms. Among the temples the most splendid one is the Borobudur which is known to be the largest among the Buddhist structures worldwide. This Buddhist structure was built around the period of 780-850 century AD. This Buddhist temple in Indonesia tends to feature the idea of the universe or the Mandala. One comes across 505 images of the Buddha in sitting postures complimented by a unique stupa in the shape of a bell. This stupa is also known to contain Buddha’s statue.
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The temple of Borobudur is known to be decorated with series of bass relief structures which tend to tell the story of the holy scriptures of Buddhism. Batu Jaya stupas are perhaps the oldest Buddhist structure in Indonesia. The Batu Jaya stupas are located in Karawng in West Java and dates back to approximately 4th century AD. The Buddhist sculpture in Indonesia boasts of reaching the golden era under the Sailendra dynasty ruling in Java. The Boddhisatva, Tara and Kinnara are the bass relief statues that were found in the temples of Kalasan, Sewu, Sari and Plaosan. These statues render a very elegant and classy expression for you to appreciate. The Mendut temple that’s located near the Borobudur is known to feature the statue of Buddha, Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani, all in their giant versions. |
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The temple of Muara Takus and Muaro Jambi in Sumatra is assumed to have been built by Sri Vijaya while the statue of Prajnaparamita being one of the most delicate statues is known to be classiest form of Javanese art. This statue is now a part of the collection of the National Museum in Jakarta. The Prajnaparamita is known to be the goddess of wisdom. The Buddha statues in Borobudur tend to represent the best examples of Buddhist sculpture in Indonesia. The class and elegance of these Borobudur statues are bound to attract the tourists and offers a clear idea about the types of materials used that were used for the making of these statues in Borobudur. The styles and patterns followed to make these Buddhist sculptures in Indonesia definitely give us an idea about the art forms prevalent during the era of the Sri Vijaya Empire.
Buddhistsculptures.com offers detailed information about the Buddhist sculpture in Indonesia.
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