Symbolism and visual rhetoric of the Borobudur temple in the context of modern era

Michaela Pyšová 2016 SYMBOLISM AND VISUAL RHETORIC OF THE JAVANESE BUDDHIST TEMPLE BOROBUDUR bachelor thesis Abstract The bachelor thesis deals with the Javanese Buddhist monument Borobudur, which is due to its unique architectural form and the symbolic value of the tangible important part of Indonesian and World Heritage Site. The building is a symbol of Buddhist cosmology and is used by the monks in its original ritual context even today. Javanese mentality evolved according to the transformation of religious and philosophical doctrines and changes over the centuries, similarly understanding the message of the monument by islamized contemporary society. Introduction of thesis defines cultural-historical context of Borobudur during the period ranging from the beginnings of Buddhism in India through dissemination of buddhist teachings in the Indonesian archipelago and its mingling with the local faith. The next part of thesis refers to the architecture of the monument, reliefs and message of the importance of overlapping structures into modern times. The goal of the analysis is primarily analysis of Javanese temple architecture as an ideological system that expresses the philosophical values of Buddhist culture spilling over into modern times