Indonesia Java1 Mendut & Pawon temples

1. Indonesia Java Mendut & Pawon temples

2. Borobudur, one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, located in the Kedu Valley, in the southern part of Central Java, Indonesia, is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World

3. About 3 kilometers from Borobudur is located Mendut, an older Buddhist temple. Between Mendut and Borobudur stands Pawon temple, a jewel of Javanese temple architecture. Mendut, Borobudur and Pawon, all of which are Buddhist temples, are located in one straight line. There is a mutual religious relationship between the three temples, although the exact ritual process is unknown

5. Pawon temple (known locally as Candi Pawon) is located between Borobudur and Mendut. Examines the detail and style of its carving this temple is slightly older than Borobudur. Statue of Bodhisattva is assumed to be placed inside the central cella of temple’s body for honoring King Indra. In the contemporary era during the full moon in May or June, Buddhists in Indonesia observe Vesak annual ritual by walking from Mendut passing through Pawon and ends at Borobudur

7. Adenium obesum (Desert Rose)

10. Kalpataru, the divine tree of life guarded by mythical creatures Kinnara and Kinnari, flying Apsara and Devata

11. Kalpavriksha, also known as kalpataru, kalpadruma or kalpapādapa, is a wish-fulfilling divine tree in Hindu mythology, Jainism and Buddhism. It is mentioned in Sanskrit literature from the earliest sources. It is also a popular theme in Jain cosmology and Buddhism. The Kalpataru originated during the Samudra manthan or "churning of the ocean" along with the Kamadhenu, the divine cow providing for all needs. The king of the gods, Indra, returned with this tree to his paradise. Kalpataru is also identified with many trees such as Parijata (Erythrina variegata), Ficus benghalensis, coconut tree, Acacia, Madhuca longifolia, Prosopis cineraria, Bassia butyracea, and mulberry tree (Morus nigra tree). The tree is also extolled in iconography and literature

14. Euphorbia milii (crown of thorns, Christ plant, Christ thorn)

15. Euphorbia milii (crown of thorns, Christ plant, Christ thorn)

16. Mendut Temple

17. Mendut Temple

19. The outer walls of the staircase exhibit fine reliefs of some Tantri tales. These are moralizing stories about animals, the charming East Asian equivalent of Aesop's Fables in the West

21. In this Tantri tale, a foolish tortoise chased by hunters, suspends himself by his jaws from a stick, and convinces two geese to carry him to safety. But the silly turtle can not stop himself from opening his mouth to boast of his cleverness, which of course causes him to lose his grip, and so he falls down to his death on the rocks below

28. The bas-relief of Hariti (on inner northern wall of Mendut), is popular among local Javanese childless married couples to pray for a child, since in traditional Javanese beliefs, Hariti is considered as the symbol of fertility, the patroness of motherhood and protector of children

29. A contact religion (Buddhism, in this case) incorporates the gods of its competitors (Hinduism, in this case) into its own pantheon

30. Her husband Atavaka (or, Panchika) surrounded by the children whom he, like his wife, is now protecting

31. Like most ancient temples in Java, it was found in ruined condition by the Dutch, and later restored by anastylosis

33. Until now, the roof part is unfinished yet because some original stones lost

36. The name Amaryllis is taken from a shepherdess in Virgil's pastoral Eclogues

37. Bougainvillea

39. For local Javanese, especially those who follow traditional Kejawen Javanese mysticism or Buddhism practices, praying in Mendut temple is believed to fulfill various wishes, such as deliverance from sickness

46. The tree of life, also meaning "World Tree" finds mention in the Vedic scriptures. In the earliest account of the Samudra manthan or "churning of the ocean of milk" Kalpavriksha emerged from the primal waters during the ocean churning process along with Kamadhenu, the divine cow that bestows all needs. The tree is also said to be the Milky way or the birthplace of the stars Sirius. The king of the gods, Indra returned with this Kalpavriksha to his abode in paradise and planted it there. The tree also finds mention in the Sanskrit text Mānāsara, part of Shilpa Shastras. Another myth says that Kalpavriksha was located on earth and was transported to Indra's abode after people started misusing it by wishing evil things. In Indra's "Devaloka" it is said that there are five Kalpavrikshas, which are called Mandana, Parijata, Santana, Kalpavriksha and Harichandana, all of which fulfill various wishes. Kalpavriksha, in particular, is said to be planted at Mt. Meru peak in the middle of Indra's five paradise gardens. It is on account of these wish-granting trees that the asuras waged a perpetual war with the devas as the heavenly gods who exclusively benefited freely from the "divine flowers and fruits" from the Kalpavriksha, whereas the demigods lived comparatively in penury at the lower part of its "trunk and roots".

49. This colossal (10 ft tall) statue of Shakyamuni (Vairocana), located in the interior cella of Candi Mendut, is very special: it is the oldest (c. 800 AD), the largest, and the finest statue of the historical Buddha that still remains in its original location in Java. The Buddha is seated, displays dharmachakra mudra, and is flanked by two bodhisattvas

50. The purpose of this three statues are liberating the body karma (Vairocana statue), speech karma (Avalokitesvara statue), and thought karma (Vajrapani statue)