ABSTRACT
In this study, we investigate the art form created by Buddhist monks (Silpin), known as the Tathagata sculpture. The term Tathagata refers to a person who reaches the transcendental truth in life. Tathagata manifests itself in the form of the Buddha sculpture with some unique characteristics. Here, we examine 20 Tathagata sculptures located on the Rupadhatu level at Borobudur Temple. In this analysis, we use the E. B. Vogler (1948) concept on “bounded art” (Gebonden kunst), which is related to the creation of Hindu–Buddhist arts. The Tathagata art and its creative process are used as a parameter to achieve the goal. In this study, we find that the binding rules related to the creation of sculptural arts in general were not always observed in the creation of Buddhist sculptural arts. Moreover, the result of this study also reveals that Silpin had a widespread influence and innovations in the creation of the beautiful Buddhist arts, which is evident in Tathagata sculptures on the Rupadhatu level at Borobudur Temple.
