Vancouver Banshee: buddhism

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Monday, January 16, 2012

Indonesia -- Day 9 Ramayana Ballet, Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta

So after visiting all of the Buddhist temples today and then doing a little shopping on Malioboro Street, I headed back to the hotel. I took a becak back to the Novotel (it's about 3 KM) and the quoted price was 25 000 IDR or approx $3CAD.

A becak is basically a rickshaw that is cycled. It looks like a bicycle from the back but from the front it has a bucket love seat. Generally it seats two "asian" people. That also means generally only one large "westerner" should fit in there. I know the men who "drive" these becaks are wiry and strong but oh my, I was so so so uncomfortable being driven around. When I was leaving Malioboro Street I scouted the street for the "best" ride back to the hotel. I really wanted to try the local transportation, but being a bigger girl I was well aware of the reception I may receive. At first I went up to a lovely man who had a horse and cart. Now mind you it was a small horse (more like a donkey size), but still it was a horse AND a car. I figured that this would be much easier to get back to the hotel that way, plus carrying me should be fine. Well, that was not the case. When I showed the driver my hotel address, and he saw me, he said sorry his horse was tired and couldn't take me. I was a little shocked, and a little paranoid to be honest. I know I'm a big girl but honestly, a horse couldn't take me???? The horse owner started talking to the other drivers in Bahasa Indonesian, I don't know about what but I thought it was probably a game of hot potato about who would have to take me back to the hotel. After a moment or too an older and very slender man offered to "drive" me back to the hotel. It was the most uncomfortable ride of my life. I kept thinking that the poor man would have a stroke or something. When we finally got back to the Novotel, which could never have been soon enough for me, I ended up giving the man 50 000IDR. He seemed very happy with the price. I hope he went back to all the other drivers and told them that he made good money ;)

A becak on the roads
of Jogjakarta

The muscians getting ready to perform
Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

All excerpts in Italics below are from the Ramayana Ballet desciption offered by Puriwisata.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

In Krendayana forest, the King of Alengka, Rahwana, asks Kalamaricha, one of his soldiers to change himself into a Golden Deer and has him to go to seduce Rama, Sinta and Laksmana.

In the other part of the same forest, Rama, Sinta, and Laksmana are enjoying the freshness of the bright weather by gathering flowers and watching beautiful animals lving in the forest. Suddenly an animal with golden fur appears. Sinta is attracted and she wants to possess the animal. Rama, Sinta, Laksmana try to catch it but the beautiful animal is very difficult to touch, then the Golden Deer runs away.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

After Rama leaves his wife, Sinta as if hears the sound of an injured man, she asks Laksmana to look for his brother but he refuses, because he knows it is not Rama's voice, as it is the Golden Deer's that imitates the voice of Rama.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Since her order is disobeyed, Sinta accuses Laksmana of wishing her after the death of Rama. Hearing this Laksmana becomes very sad, he swears that he will not marry any woman in his whole life.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

As a sign of his oath he cuts off his genital. Sinta is astonished and very sorry. Finally Laksmana goes to meet Rama. Before he leaves his sister-in-law alone. Laksmana makes a magical circle surrounding Sinta, nobody can go into the circle and he also tells her not to get out of the circle ntil the arrival of Rama and Laksmana.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Unexpectedly, Rahwana comes down from the sky. He is very glad to notice Sinta without any guard. He wants to kidnap her as soon as possible and takes her to Alengka Kingdom.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Unfortunately he cannot approach her because of the magical circle although he has exerted all of his super natural power. Then Rahwana changes his appearance into a very old man who looks very thirsty and comes near Sinta.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

On seeing this Sinta cannot stand not helping the poor old man. Without realizing the danger, she stretches one of her arms out of the circle in order to give the old man something to drink. The old man who actually is Rahwana takes Sinta's hand out of the circle quickly and takes her away.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

In the sky, they meet Jatayu, the king of birds, who wants to save the Princess but Jatayu is defeated and falls onto the ground. Before Jatayu dies, he tells Rama that Sinta is kidnapped by Rahwana.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

On the way to Alengka, Rama and Laksmana bump across with the white monkey Hanoman, who is ordered by Sugriwa to find someone to help him fight subali in order to get Goa Kiskenda back.

Rama does not mind and succeeds in killing Subali, and then he is crowned to be the king of the monkey in Pancawati Kingdom. As a king, Rama orders Hanoman to go to Alengka to see the condition of Sinta.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

In Alengka, after giving Rama's ring to Sinta, and as an answer Sinta sends her hairpin ornament to Rama, Hanoman wants to know the strength of Rahwana's Kingdom, soon afterwards he destroys the Arga-Coka garden.

Knowing this, Rahwana becomes very angry and commands his men to burn the white creature but Hanoman does not die because of his super natural power, event he takes with him some burning woods and flies in the sky then he drops them throughout the buildings.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

When the battle between Rama's monkey soldiers and Rahwana's giant soldiers takes place, Hindrajit asks Kumbakarna for help but he cannot win the fight even is defeated by Rama. Hindrajit wants to support his uncle unfortunately Laksmana is able to finish the fight. Hindrajit runs away reporting the situation to King Rahwana in the palace.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Rahwana goes to fight Rama but at last he is defeated and killed.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Hanoman fetches Queen Sinta who is very happy to meet her beloved husband, however Rama rejects her for he suspects about his wife's purity and he asks Sinta to have a holy bath by jumping into the burning fire.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Sinta calmly jumps into the holy fire since in her mind she feels that she is totally pure.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The god of fire, Brahma, comes down from the heaven and puts the fire out. He tells Rama that Sinta is really pure. Both Sinta and Rama pay attribute with their hands folded before their foreheads to Brahma. Lastly they return to Pancawati Kingdom happily.

Ramayana Ballet, Purawisata
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Ramayana is a very beauitful love story and people will keep performing and watching it.

If you would like to see the Ramayana Ballet or visit Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta

then contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote code AANK for a special discount.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Indonesia -- Day 9 Candi Pawon and Candi Mendut

On the way back from Borobudur, Marcelle our local guide, showed us Candi Pawon. This is another Buddhist temple but smaller. It is in a direct line from Borobudur.

Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

We arrived at Candi Pawon just as a local village celebration of dedication was ending.

Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

Pawon (known locally as Candi Pawon) is a Buddhist temple in Central Java, Indonesia. Located between two other Buddhist temples, Borobudur (1.75 km ) to the northeast) and Mendut (1.15 km ) to the southwest), Pawon is connected with the other two temples, all of which were built during the Sailendra dynasty (8th–9th centuries). Examines the detail and style of its carving this temple is slightly older than Borobudur.

The three temples were located on a straight line, suggesting there was a symbolic meaning that binds these temples.

The cutest little girl watching the dancing on the temple.
Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

The temple slightly faces northwest and stands on a square base. Each sides of the stairs and the top of the gates are adorned with carved Kala-Makara, commonly found in classic Javanese temples. The outer wall of Pawon is carved with reliefs of boddhisattvas and taras. There are also reliefs of kalpataru (tree of life), flanked between Kinnara-Kinnari. The square chamber inside is empty with a square basin in the center of it. Rectangular small windows were found, probably for ventilation.

The roof section of is crowned with five small stupas and four small ratnas. Because of its relative simplicity, symmetry and harmony, the historians dubbed this small temple as "the jewel of Javanese temple architecture", in contrast with tall-slender East Javanese style counterparts as founds in later Singhasari and Majapahit period.

Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Me and the dance team
Candi Pawon.
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

After looking at the Candi Pawon temple, we took a look through the village. It was really quite beautiful. Our first stop was the home of a local elder.

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

These are the walls of the house. Isn't the weaving fantastic?

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

This is the well. The basket is tied to a bendable piece of bamboo. The basket is then lowered into the hole to bring up the water.

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The water is then poured into a hollow bamboo "pipe".

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The man of the house, next to the Cocao tree.

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The kitchen of the house. You can see it has four cooking "rings". You can see from the picture above it has a "ring" and then a wok like pan can be added to it. The fire is added too from end.

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Cooking spices and herbs and onion and garlic.

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Isn't this cabinet gorgeous?

Candi Pawon Village
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

After we left Candi Pawon we moved over to the third temple in the line, Mendut.

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

Mendut is a ninth century Buddhist temple, located in Mendut village, Mungkid sub-district, Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. The temple is located about three kilometres east from Borobudur. 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.

The Banyan trees at Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

Built around early ninth century AD, Mendut is the oldest of the three temples including Pawon and Borobudur. The Karangtengah inscription, the temple was built and finished during the reign of King Indra of Sailendra dynasty. The inscription dated 824 AD mentioned that King Indra of Sailendra has built a sacred building named Venuvana which means "bamboo forest". Dutch archaeologist JG de Casparis has connected the temple mentioned in Karangtengah inscription with Mendut temple.

In 1836 it was discovered as a ruins covered with bushes. The restoration of this temple was started at 1897 and it was finished at 1925.

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana, Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani inside the Mendut temple

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

The statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana, Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani inside the Mendut temple

the grounds of Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

From Wikipedia:

The main room housed three beautifully carved large stone statues. The three statues are the Buddhist main divinities revered in Mendut temple which can explain the spiritual purpose of the establishment of this temple. The 3 metres tall statue of Dhyani Buddha Vairocana was meant to liberate the devotees from the bodily karma, at the left is statue of Boddhisatva Avalokitesvara to liberate from the karma of speech, at the right is Boddhisatva Vajrapani to liberate from karma of thought.

Today, 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

Mendut
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Candi Mendut Complex
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

After leaving the Candi Mendut Complex we headed back into town and to some shopping on Malioboro Street in the shopping district. On the way our bus was stopped at a traffic light. When I looked over to my right at the trailer hauling scooters, I saw this:

This worker is asleep on the scooters on a moving truck hauling them

Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

chippy paint on metal of a becak
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

becak
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Food Cart
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

This was too funny. I was in the becak going back to the Novotel taking pictures when I saw this:
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Cell store
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

A street side bookstore
Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta, Java, Indonesia

Marcelle, our local guide, dropped us off at the local shopping district and the popular Malioboro Street.
I had a great time just enjoying myself and doing some fantastic bargaining. Then it was back to the hotel for a quick shower and change and off to the Ramayana Ballet.

If you would like to visit Candi Pawon or Candi Mendut, or just wander around Jogjakarta / Yogyakarta

then contact Adventures Abroad at 1 800 665 3998

Quote code AANK for a special discount