I am very happy to announce that the book about the hidden base at Borobudur has now been published in Jakarta, in dual language format. The books will be widely distributed within Indonesia, but are largely unavailable outside the country.
Do not worry though as the text and photographs are all available from the Photo Dharma website, and in due course the pdf will be made available also, for home printing.
The stories are some of the most accessible at Borobudur, but the reliefs are no longer visible when you visit the monument, as they were covered over at a very early stage of construction.
The photos are by Kasian Cephas, the court photographer at the Jogya court, and are very fine indeed, but they are in black and white, as they were made before the widespread availability of colour photography.
I made the first English translation of the text which is illustrated on the reliefs, and most of that text, and notes on the reliefs are included in the book, besides plans, etc. which together provide a full guide to the work.
Once again I must thank the translator, Yin Naṭadhītā, for her hard work in making these stories available in Bahasa Indonesia, and to Andreas Dīpaloka for his masterful layout. And as always I am very indebted to Handaka Vijjānanda and Ehipassiko for their generous support of this project.
Wonderful job Bhante. This article will serve as another rich knowledge into the otherwise, Lost History of the Buddhist arena.
Sadhu! Sadhu! Sadhu!
Namasthe Bhanteji,You have taken lot of pains in collection of such photos and interpreting the images carved on the rocks (Sculpture). Really hectic work. Thank you very much for exposing the beautiful sculptures in the Buddhist heritage.
With kind regards.
yours in dhamma path
T.Venkateswarlu
Hyderabad
India