Architecture History Assignment | Online Homework Help

Prompt: Architecture History Class: Pick ONE building to analyze for this assignment, basing your analysis on some of the themes/topicswe have studied this semester (i.e., Architecture and power, modernism, critiques of modernism, symbolism, etc). This building you select should not be one that we have discussed in the lecture/section this semester. The essay should be more than mere description-you should be analyzing elements of architecture like the use of material, technology, spatial layout in relation to the theme/topic you have selected. You should include images (plans, sections, elevations, detail drawings, photographs,etc.) strategically and the images should serve to support your analysis of architectural concepts. You may also choose to annotate your images where appropriate or sketch out diagrams to highlight certain things stressed in your text. Citations should also be included. Citations and images are not included in the page count. I attached an essay I did for another architecture history class but some of the contents can be used for this prompt, but obviously the orientation and template of both the essays will be different. The building that I chose is the Borobudur Temple in Indonesia and the theme I want to be exploring is symbolism in architecture

Walking through the Buddhist Universe in Borobudur Temple
The Borobudur Temple in Java, Indonesia, is one of the largest Buddhist temples
worldwide. The temple is seen as a great universe represented through its landscape. The
complex was developed during the Shailendra dynasty of Sumatra and Java around 800 C.E. My
paper argues that the Borobudur temple is a representation of the Buddhist universe. In the paper
I will argue that the temple has a three-dimensional mandala—a cosmos diagram used for
purposes of meditation, it represents the universe, and has a significant symbolism in the
structural form of the general building design.
Context:
The temple has a huge stupa right in the middle that was designed in the ninth century. A stupa
takes the shape of a bell or a mound-like structure holding religious artifacts of the Buddha.
Stupas began as pre-Buddhist but currently hold artifacts or various religious objects, and can be
symbolic or commemorative, or an offering, both of which are useful as pilgrimage site or
meditation. Within the compound is a stepped temple that takes the shape of a stepped pyramid
that leads up to the stupa. The pyramid basement takes the shape of a broken square that is
stepped outward at the center of every one of the four parts in three planes. It is, however,
significant to consider Borobudur not as an architectural building but as an experience of
walking through the cosmos itself.
Plan of the Cosmos
Even though the temple has various features of architectural configurations, the general
plan is that of a three-dimensional mandala—a cosmos diagram used for purposes of meditation.
Engelhardt argues that the Borobudur Temple is the main point of a large landscape mandala that
has various streams, hills, and different landscape features, and is considered sacred as a result of
the available smaller temples. The landscape, in general, serves to replicate the overall cosmos
mandala, with Mount Merapi right in the middle. He defines aspects of the mandala by stating
that: “Mandala is an abstract representation of the universe understood as having both physical
and metaphysical manifestation. Mandala is intended as aids to guide meditation on the
dharma—or laws determining existence. Both their architectural form and the didactic sculpture
of the bas-reliefs are meant to educate the worshipper. Therefore not only is every Buddhist
temple conceived of in the form of a mandala, but these same principles of architectural and
land-use-planning were used to constructs homes, cities, and layout roads among other
engineering landscapes (Engelhardt et al., 39).”
From above, the temple appears in the form of a Buddhist mandala that represents the
Buddhist cosmology. The top of the platform entails of 72 small bell-shaped stupas that surround
a single large one, with statues of the Buddha within the decorative openings in the stupas and
the main stupa is left empty as a symbol of the formlessness of enlightenment. The importance of
this temple is due to its spiritual characteristic of being sacred and how it unites with nature
typical of Buddhist religious sites.
Even though the huge size of a mandala structure like the Borobudur Temple requires a
great deal of admiration, understanding the relationship between the Borobudur Temple and
spiritual underpinnings plays a role in its architectural significance. According to Javanese
philosophy, the concept of Borobudur mandala also has relevance to the Mancapat, which
represents the four sides: east, north, and south (Nagaoka, 233). Within its microcosms outlook,
Borobudur Temple takes the form of a small universe that shows the journey to soul purification,
while in the macrocosmic view, Borobudur Temple is seen as a great universe represented
through its well known cultural landscape. Even so, the Borobudur Temple and its cultural
surroundings are inseparable. The cultural landscape requires that the Borobudur mandala be
kept and safeguarded in harmony. The temple, therefore, represents the unity of cosmos and the
interrelatedness of everything that exists within it.
Temple Landscape Represents the Universe
Borobudur Temple represents a small universe. Located on a hill vertically enhanced by
the constructors with the aim of achieving a great elevation, Borobudur has several open-air
passageways radiating in the region of the main axis Mundi (Miksic 43). The thriving site was
abandoned in the 1500s, however, maybe as a result of the surrounding volcanic eruptions
covering the lush vegetation. The Menoreh hills run along the western as well as southern sides
of the monument, proceeding to the north to form a Sumbing-Sundoro massif (Tanudirjo, Daud
76). The hills along with their steep slopes and cliffs are especially impressive; they are
impregnable in appearance, compensating for the relatively low elevation. Borobudur Temple,
therefore, seems to be surrounded by mythical circular mountain ridges that according to the
Buddhist representation of the universe, encloses the world (Kanaryova 205). The landscape of
the Borobudur seems to reaffirm the various aspects of the center of the universe.
The main building takes the shape of a three-dimensional mandala with a square base,
rounded traces, and a stupa in the middle. Initially, the complex of the three temples had a
connection through a paved pilgrim road that leads from the east to west from Mendut to
Borobudur (Voûte et al.,). The stages of enlightenment of the Bodhisattva can be read in the
balustrades of the temple, and different observers have stated that the whole pilgrim route has
featured the same as curved sandstone balustrades. The circumambulation path begins from the
Borobudur temple base and proceeds with a spiral-like shift through arches with figures that
safeguard the temple known as Kalamakara, heading to the upper terraces (Yanuarto et 79). The
temple is designed according to Mahayana Buddhism, where pilgrims circumnavigate the
temple, heading all the way up on various levels and reading the visual narrative on the way. In
its nature, it takes an earthly replica, a mirror of the model of the cosmos as a whole
A Symbolism to Discover
For some, Borobudur represents the abode of gods situated at the centre of the cosmos.
The magnificent stone walls and railings of the Borobudur express enlightenment messages. The
physical movement of circumambulating structure represents spiritual enlightenment. The path
for circumambulation begins from the base (Nagaoka, 232). The main temple, however, has
statues inside niches, and stupas, where a special lattice in the stupa’s stone walls allows for their
visibility from outside. The status of Ratnasambhava, Amogasiddhi, Aksobhya, and Amitabha
stand within the internal part of the niches in various positions, and Vairocana adorns the
circulated traces (Budi, Bambang Setia 190). Studies have shown that the basic mandala mixes
two others: Garabadhatu, and Vajiradhaty mandalas. Different studies have tried to establish the
main figure as the temple Budhha, symbolizing as it was the fundamental nature of the general
building design. The internal dimensions and spaces that lead to the temple suggest the spiritual
significance of the environment of the temple.
The Borobudur Temple vertically diverts into, base, body and superstructure to flawlessly
accord with the concept of the universe in Buddhist cosmology. It is argued that the universe has
a three overlaying spheres, arupathdaty, kamadhaty, and rupadthat that represents desire, in
which everyone of us is bound to our own desires. Within the temple, arupathdaty is represented
by the three-circled platforms, the huge stupa, the base of the temple represents kamadhatu, and
the rupadhatu is represented by with five square terraces. The structure in general represents a
unique blend of the central ideas of worship associated with ideas of terraced mountains along
with concepts of attaining Nirvana in Buddhism.
The temple uses terraces—flat opens places that resemble balconies-leading to pilgrims
through various words. People who visited Borobudur in the past walked upward in a clockwise
manner from one terrace to another. As they proceeded, they observed the carvings of the wall to
understand the history of Buddhism. Within the central position, a figure sits cross-legged with
upturned hands resting on the lap or knees. The 72 small bell-shaped stupas circle the main one
on the upper terraces; and lower down there are even more, some of which cut in halves to
provide niches (Leisen, and Esther 79). All consist of Buddha statues seated in yoga pose
positions in different forms from each other. Inside the bell-shaped stupas on the top terraces,
statues represent Budha in a meditation state. The upward walk around the temple appears
challenging, almost like going up a mountain. This symbolizes the difficult and long journey that
people who seek enlightenment must endure. The temple expresses a complex message through
its tripartite structural form that relates to cosmos.
The Borobudur Temple in Java is one of the greatest Buddhist temples worldwide. Even
so, it is important to understand Borobudur not as an architectural building but as an experience
of walking through the cosmos itself. The temple is the main point of a large landscape mandala
that has various streams, hills, and different landscape features, and is considered sacred as a
result of the available smaller temples. The main building takes the shape of a three-dimensional
mandala with a square base, rounded traces, and a stupa in the middle. The main temple,
however, has statues inside niches, and stupas, where a special lattice in the stupa’s stone walls
allows for their visibility from outside. The temple takes the form of a small universe that shows
the journey to soul purification while in the macrocosms view. The magnificent stone walls and
railings of the Borobudur express enlightenment messages. The landscape of the Borobudur
seems to reaffirm the various aspects of the center of the universe. The architectural building
creates an experience of walking through the cosmos.