ABSTRACT
Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Located near the geographical center of Java, Indonesians view it as the spiritual center of both their nation and the world. The power of place is an important part of Southeast Asian notions of space. John Holt describes this as ‘a notion of power found within or attributed to a given, specific place, a power that accounts for the dynamism of life associated with that locality.’ 1 As anyone who has ever visited the temple can attest, it is a breathtaking sight to behold. In addition to the immense size and grandeur of the structure, the landscape boasts numerous mountains, hills, and volcanoes that surround Borobudur from every direction—all visible from the upper levels of the temples.
