HOA_Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia_CKLY_1101025

Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia Trip

This was the first time I visit Islamic Art Museum, and when I reached there, the first good impression of this museum was the interior design of the museum. Most museums that I have visited before were in old style or dark brownish color interior design, but this Islamic Art Museum has nice clean mostly white color interior design, so it's more pleasurable and it's not creepy like others. 

There were few things that I found interesting to me in the museum. The thing that I found interesting the most was the China Muslim Mosque. It's quite interesting because the building of the mosque was just like a Chinese temple instead of a mosque. It does not have the big round thing above the building just like what we have seen in Malaysia. It's quite special, as if someone is not been told that this was a mosque, and they will never ever know that was actually a mosque. 

What that I have learnt inside the museum after the visiting was, religion does not restrict to anyone. Even though China is 98% Chinese, but they still have people that are practising Islam. I only heard before that China have some people who are Muslim, but I never expect that China have such a beautiful mosque for the Muslims. Their mosque design is similar to their temple design, I think it's most probably they have already use to and adapted to their culture, so they merge the culture and their religion together, so it forms a Chinese temple design mosque. 

Me, infront of the reception counter of the museum

China Mosque 

Quran from China

Very nice dome design of the museum

HOA_Lee Xue Mei_Islamic Art Museum

Lee Xue Mei (1104306)

Visit to the Museum

I never really thought the experience of visiting to the museum would be so impressive until the trip to the Islamic Art Museum. When I stepped onto the first floor of the museum, I was greeted by a lot of mosque architectural models. I always love admiring at those building miniatures, not only to admire the neat skills of the architects, but also observe the details of both interior and exterior sides. The models display different mosque design from all over the world. Without any doubts, the design of every single mosque amazed me and I spent quite much time just admiring and studying the mosque structure.

I found the mosque structure and design are different depending on its location. For example, the mosque in Xi'an, China is built like the ordinary Chinese temple. I was kinda surprised when I first saw it because I never thought it'd be a mosque without the label. Another example would be Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Turkey. It has a mix of the western building structure, probably because of the Turkish culture. Since Turkey is located at the border of Asia and Europe, the building structure has somehow been influenced by both Eastern and Western styles. Personally, I like Sultan Ahmed Mosque, not only because it has a mix of different style, the unique dome design also amazed me.

 Architectural model of Sultan Ahmed Mosque, Turkey

Sketch of Sultan Ahmed Mosque

Architectural model of Xi'an Mosque, China

Looking up can be rewarding! Another interesting thing I found was the dome design of the museum. It was awesome and so much details can be seen craving on it.

Greeted by this huge white dorm with Arabian letters written on it

Blue dome

Orange dome

I was then greeted by the embroidered velvet robe that is very well-decorated with floral design on it. It is golden flora in black dress. I like the dress outline that makes it look elegant and eye-catchy from the first look of it.

Sketch of Embroidered Velvet Robe (19th Century)

Another thing is the illuminated manuscript technique I found in the Al-Quran. It has nice vivid colors with clear figures on a golden background. 

Illuminated Manuscripts

In overall, it was a nice experience for me and I got to know more about the Islamic history from all over the world. I'd pay a visit to it again when the right time comes.

HOA_LXF_Islamic Museum

 Above is the Inverted Dome Pavilion adorned with mirrored pieces and gold scripts.

And this is the overcoats and accessories.

 This is the gold coin in transparent vertical cases.

My first time went to the Islamic Museum, and i was quite impressed by their well-kept artifacts, documents and their interior design. The gallery not only concentrates on Iran and Middle East collections, but includes artifacts from China, India and Southeast Asia as well. At first I was quite doubt to go to the Islamic Museum due to no interest in Islamic culture, but this visit has really changed my perspective of view of history.

Lim Xiao Fern
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HOA_LXF_Borobudur

Borobudur temple is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Is was built by Sailendra dynasty between 778 to 842 AD; 300 years before Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, and 400 years before work had begun on the great European cathedrals. Through research, Borobudur temple was built with an overwhelming mass of images and galleries on its walls depicting the activities of Gods. There are more than 1,400 narrative panels illustrating the life of Buddha and Buddhist texts, the largest and most complete collection of Buddhist relief in the world. 

Borobudur temple has three level in its temple. The base of Borobudur, called Kamadhatu, it symbolize human being are still bound by their own desire. The upper four stories are called Rupadhatu which symbolizing human beings have set themselves free from their desire but are still bound to temptation. On this terrace, Buddha effigies are placed in open space; while the other upper three terraces where Buddha effigies are confined in domes with wholes are called Arupadhatu, which is symbolizing human beings that have been free from own desire and temptations. And the top part of it which is called Arupa, and it symbolizes nirvana, where Buddha is residing.

I find it related to the 'hero's journey' as for the 1st part, when one is facing the call of mission, it will still bound to some of their own desire and refuse to accept the call. Then it will continue by solving the problem, a guidance will appear and show ways to solve the problems. And the last step, after going through all the mission and understand the real world, one can choose to leave or stay.

Lim Xiao Fern
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This is a the uptop view inside the museum.

I found quite interesting for this design. It form a great and beauty pattern.

An AL-Qur'an book that i feel so special in this museum.

It get different size and shape of book. The smaller book still get a glass look like a magnifier.

Beside that, different types of scissors and knifes in BC are different look combine nowadays.

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Photo infront the museum

Dagger

The Museum of Islamic Art houses a magnificent collection of artworks dating from the 7th to the 19th century, representing the full scope of Islamic Art. It includes works done in ceramics, metal, glass, ivory, textiles, wood, precious stones etc from about 3 continents.

I was not able to see everything that was on display, but most certainly my first trip to the museum has left me with a impression of awe. I will most certainly make my second visit and take more pictures.

CPL_Borubudur

     Borobudur Temple which was built around 800AD,was built by the teaching of Mahayana buddhism during the reign of king Samaratungga in Jawa.The meaning of Borobudur means "monastery in the hills" which comes from the word "coal" (temple or monastery) and "beduhur" (hills or high places) in the language of Sanskrit. The building was used for buddhism religious practices and was digged out by Sir Stamford Raffles during an expedition after british manage to colonize indonesia.

    Borobudur has 10 levels consisting of 6 levels of a square, level 3 circular and a main stupa as a peak.In every level there are several stupas.Altogether there are 72 stupas addition to the main stupa as a peak.The connection of the hero's journey is related to the 10 levels of buddhist philosophy which describes the ten levels of bodhisattva who must pass the stupas to reach the perfection of the buddha in nirvana.This perfection symbolized by the main stupa at the top level.Borobudur structure when viewed from above form a structure call mandala depicting buddhist cosmology and the human way of thinking.It was suggest that the temple was facing east like the other temples build for buddhism religion  as the east symbolize the final journey of one's to reach perfection in nirvana.

  Every year on the full moon in May (or June in leap years),Buddhist in indonesia commemorate Wesak Day at the Borobudur Temple.Wesak Day is celebrated as the day of birth,death and the time when siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightment to become the Buddha Shakyamuni.

As of today,Borobudur has indeed become a hot tourist spot which attracts many tourist both locally and foreign tourists.and it has also become a holy place for Buddhist in Indonesia and became the center of an annual celebration of the most important Wesak Day.

I personally would like to visit the place once in my lifetime as time passed buildings will fade away either by the change of climate or by the structure of the land changes.

    

Choong Peng Leh

1200813 

HoA_Borobudur Temple_Aw Yong Ting Fong

Borobudur is the largest Buddhist temple in the 9th century measuring 123 x 123 meters. Borobudur was completed centuries before Angkor Wat in Cambodia. This Buddhist temple has 1460 relief panels and 504 Buddha effigies in the complex. Millions of people are yearning to visit the buildings included in this World Wonder Heritages.Borobudur-shaped building with staircase punden consists of 10 levels. Height 42 meters before it was renovated and 34.5 meters after the renovation because the lowest level is used as a drag. Six lowest level of a square and three levels on top of a circle and one of the highest levels of Buddhist stupa facing to the west. Each level represents the stages of human life. In accordance madhhabs Mahayana Buddhism, every person who wants to reach the level as the Buddha had to through every level of life is.Borobudur was built by King Samaratungga, one of the kings of Old Mataram Kingdom, Dynasty descendant dynasty. Based Kayumwungan inscription, an Indonesian named Hudaya Kandahjaya revealed that Borobudur is a place of worship was completed on 26 May 824, almost a hundred years from the time the construction. Architects who contributed to build this temple according to a story passed down through generations named Gunadharma.

HoA_Tang Wei Teng_ Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Me with my favorite exhibitions

The exhibition that I like the most will be the arms and armour exhibition in the museum especially the flintlock pistol. It is because I was attracted by the unique shape and on the barrel of the pistol which appears to be a leopard's head and the flora pattern crafted on the pistol. According to the information given, the stocks are inlaid with gilt metal and silver, with flora designs. It is an exquisite and fine art of arms.

Flintlock Pistol
Syria or Turkey
19th century AD/ 13th century AH

 Others Exhibition of Arms and Armour

Riffle
Compostire material with bone and ivory inlay
Jaipur, India
c. 1790/1204 H

Double-Barrelled Flintlock Pistol
With concealed dagger
Walnut inlaid with silver and overlaid with gold
Ottoman Turkey
19th century AD/13th century AH

Mace 
Steel
Iran
18th century AD/ 12 century AH

Tang Wei Teng 1107059

HoA_Ng Cheng Ghee_Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

Evidence of presence at Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia

The most interesting part which I think will be the pattern of the interior side view of the dome of the museum. At first when I saw it, I thought it appeared to be like a kind of roman pattern art. However, after some researches, the pattern of the art called Arabesque, an Islamic art. The reason I like it is the repetition of geometric patterns like the shapes, lines with the combination colours which caught my eyes' attention and it harmonizes with the building structure. 

View of the dome in the museum

Another view of the dome in the museum

Focus view on the pattern art of the dome

Focus view on the pattern art of the dome

Others Exhibition

The Kiswa
The Kiswa is used to cover and wrapped around the walls of the Holy Ka'aba, is a cuboid-shaped building in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

 Scroll
China
 c. -1980 - 1990 AD
Calligrapher: Ali Abdullah Qasim

Ng Cheng Ghee 1107247

HoA_Borobudur Temple_NCG

Borobudur temple is built to represent many layers of Buddhist theory. From a birds eye view, the temple is in the shape of a traditional Buddhist mandala (an significant religious tradition art that represent sacred and divine) which cab be simultaneously related to Buddhist Cosmology. Hence, according to Buddhist Cosmology, the universe is divided in to three major zones that can be found in three parts of this temple.

1. the hidden base (Kamadhatu)
   It designed in a pyramid shaped and  consists of 160 reliefs depicting scenes of Karmawibhangga Sutra, the law of cause and effect.
2. the four square level of terrace (Rapadhatu)
   They contain tons of carved stone reliefs, as well as a chain of position containing statues of Buddha. In total there are 328 Buddhas on these levels.
3. the three circular terrace and the center dome (Arupadhatu)The terraces contain circles of 72 stupas, an inverted bell shape, and many sculptures of Buddha, who face outward from the temple.

In my opinion, the relationship and similarity between the hero's journey and the Borobudur Temple that related to Buddhist cosmology will be journey of us, the common people. For instance, the desires and struggles of us, the common peoples that face every day whenever a task or temptation appears (woman as temptress/Kamadhatu), peoples and things that  going to help us to get through those difficulties to get ourselves free from temptations and desires from the phenomenal world and realize the true purpose of life(The meeting with Goddess and Apotheosis/Rapadhatu) and finally the true freedom and understanding of life and afterlife with the presence of God together( Master of Two World and Freedom to Live/Arupadhatu).

SourceWikipedia (August 1, 2012). Borobudur. Retrieved August 28, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

Picture Credit
The Temple of Borobudur. (2010). Retrieved August 28, 2012, from
http://oldmapsexpeditionsandexplorations.devhub.com/blog/576057-the-temple-of-borobudur/

By
Ng Cheng Ghee
1107247
GD

HoA_Borobudur Temple_TWT

Borobudur Temple is a large site with many Buddhist Statues. This colossal temple was built between AD 750 and 842: 300 years. The temple was built in three tiers in the center of a hill with different representative part of the conception of the universe in Buddhist Cosmology:

• a pyramidal base (kamadhatu) with five different concentric square terraces (rupadhatu)
• the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms (arupadhatu)
• a monumental stupa (arupadhatu) at the top

One thing that attracted me the most is the aerial view of the temple. According to information fron Wikipedia, the view from above resembles the form of a giant tantric Buddhist mandala, which has spiritual and ritual significance in Buddhism, and simultaneously representing the Buddhist cosmology and the natural of mind.

The connection between the hero's journey and the Borobudur temple will be the relationship between human and god. In our world, we always encounter with many kind of difficulties such as desire, temptation, lust, negative impulse and so on (Kamadhatu, the world of desires). Well, I guess it is partially resemble to the hero's journey, which the hero who encounter with problems while the journey  is carrying (Road of Trial and Woman as Temptress from Stage 2: Initiation).

Online-source
Wikipedia (August 1, 2012). Borobudur. Retrieved August 25, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

By
Tang Wei Teng
1107059
GD

DUE DATE CORRECTION

*FINAL DUE DATES*

***CORRECTION: All blogs must be completed and up on line before 12 MIDNIGHT (23:59:59) FRIDAY 31 AUGUST . 

Get your missing assignments together and on-line on your blog. I am extending the due date one more week. We will discuss in class.

NEEDED: Much more writing, discussion , photos and sketches.

ISLAMIC MUSEUM TRIP: What did you find interesting and what did you learn INSIDE the Islamic Museum? Your sketches and statement should be about the same objects.

***ALL SKETCHBOOKS TO BE HANDED IN 4 SEPTEMBER MAKEUP CLASS. 

Thank you, 

Ray 

HOA_LXF_1002432

HOA_HFY_1105244

I was attracted by the flora pattern design apply on the underglaze. Most of them did apply the mandala design or repetition of pattern for the flora. The work was neatly done. I was really surprised by ancient people who made such detail works with limited instrument that time.

PANEL
Underglaze-painted fritware
Damascus, Syria
17th century AD / 11th century AH

CHESS BOARD
India
18th century AD / 12th century AH
+
CHESS PIECES
Company school, India
Early 19th century AD / early 13th century AH

Hah Fung Yung

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Tang Wei Teng
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Borobudur is a great Buddhist temple founded from the 8th and 9th centuries in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The name 'Borobudur' is derive from the Sanskrit words vihara Buddha uhr, meaning the Buddhist monastery on the hill. It was founded by a king of the Saliendra dynasty. The monument was made of six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues. This structure is in the form of a lotus, the sacred flower of Buddha and alike with the concept of mandala.
There are ninety-two Dhyani Buddha statues and 1,460 relief scenes for each direction. 160 reliefs which depicting cause and effect were in the lowest level. While the middle level contains various stories of the Buddha's life from the Jataka Tales and then the highest level has no reliefs or decorations but has a balcony, square in shape with round walls- a circle without beginning or end. The ninety-two Vajrasattvas or Dhyani Buddhas tucked into small stupas at the highest level. Each of these statues has a mudra (hand gesture) indicating one of the five directions: east, south, west, north, and the centre.
Besides being the highest symbol of Buddhism, the Borobodur stupa is also a replica of the universe. It symbolises the micro-cosmos. It is divided into three levels, in which man's world of desire is influenced by negative impulses; the middle level, the world in which man has control of his negative impulses and uses his positive impulses; the highest level, in which the world of man is no longer bounded by physical and worldly ancient desire.
As related to the hero's journey, Borobudur is like the travel of man to become buddha. At first, people will reject to accept the mission but after they awake they will go on their way, overcome the challenge and hardship to complete their journey. The three levels in Borobudur show the hero's journey process. Influenced by others, control themselves, achieve target.

References:
Borobudur (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

Hah Fung Yung
1105244

HOA_Borobudur_1101025_CKLY

Borobudur

Borobudur or also known as Barabudur, is a 9th century Mahayana Buddhist monument located in Magelang, Central Jaya, Indonesia.

The monument consist of:
-  Six square platforms topped by three circular platforms
-  Decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha Statues
-  A main dome, located at the center of the top platform, is surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated inside a perforated stupa.

Borobudur is one of the greatest Buddhist monuments in the world. Founded by a king of the Sailendra Dynasty, it was built to honor the glory of both the Buddha and its founder, a true king Bodhisattva. The name Borobudur is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words vihara Buddha uhr, meaning the Buddhist monastery on the hill.

Evidence suggest Borobudur was constructed in the 9th and abandoned following the 14th century decline of Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms in Java, and the Javanese conversion to Islam. The temple’s design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region, yet there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.

There is no written record of who built Borobudur or of its intended purpose. The construction time have been estimated by comparison between carved reliefs on the temple's hidden foot and the inscriptions commonly used in royal charters during the 8th and 9th centuries. The construction has been estimated to have taken 75 years and been completed during the reign of Samaratungga in 825.

Borobudur lay hidden for centuries under layers of volcanic ash and jungle growth. The facts behind its abandonment remain a mystery. Then, Java was under British administration from 1811 to 1816. The appointed governor was Lieutenant Governor-General Thomas Stamford Raffles, who took great interest in the history of Java. He collected Javanese antiques and made notes through contacts with local inhabitants during his tour throughout the island. On an inspection tour to Semarang, in 1814, he was informed about a big monument deep in a jungle near the village of Bumisegoro. He was not able to make the discovery himself and sent H.C. Cornelius, a Dutch engineer, to investigate. In two months, Cornelius and his 200 men cut down trees, burned down vegetation and dug away the earth to reveal the monument. Due to the danger of collapse, he could not unearth all galleries. He reported his findings to Raffles including various drawings. Although the discovery is only mentioned by a few sentences, Raffles has been credited with the monument's recovery, as one who had brought it to the world's attention.

Borobudur Temple leads to hero's journey by its relief from the Narrative Panels Distribution as below:

Narrative Panels Distribution[68]
section	location	story	#panels
hidden foot	wall	Karmavibhangga	160
first gallery	main wall	Lalitavistara	120
		Jataka/Avadana	120
	balustrade	Jataka/Avadana	372
		Jataka/Avadana	128
second gallery	balustrade	Jataka/Avadana	100
	main wall	Gandavyuha	128
third gallery	main wall	Gandavyuha	88
	balustrade	Gandavyuha	88
fourth gallery	main wall	Gandavyuha	84
	balustrade	Gandavyuha	72
Total			1,460

The law of karma (Karmavibhangga)

The 160 hidden panels in hidden foot section do not form a continuous story, but each of them provides a complete illustration of cause and effect of life. There are depictions of blameworthy activities, from gossip to murder, with their corresponding punishments. There are also praiseworthy activities, that include charity and pilgrimage to sanctuaries, and their subsequent rewards. The pains of hell and the pleasure of heaven are also illustrated. There are scenes of daily life, complete with the full panorama of samsara (the endless cycle of birth and death. This shows the karmas of a hero when he/she is going to end his/her journey and join the other world, where by their good deeds done during their journey will be rewarded. 

The story of Prince Siddhartha and the birth of Buddha (Lalitavistara) (Hero's journey)

The story starts with the descent of the Lord Buddha from the Tushita heaven, and ends with his first sermon in the Deer Park near Benares. The relief shows the birth of the Buddha as Prince Siddhartha, son of King Suddhodana and Queen Maya of Kapilavastu (in present-day Nepal).

The story is preceded by 27 panels showing various preparations, in heavens and on earth, to welcome the final incarnation of the Bodhisattva. Before descending from Tushita heaven, the Bodhisattva entrusted his crown to his successor, the future Buddha Maitreya. He descended on earth in the shape of White elephant with six tusks, penetrated to Queen Maya's right womb. Queen Maya had a dream of this event, which was interpreted that his son would become either a sovereign or a Buddha.

While Queen Maya felt that it was the time to give birth, she went to the Lumbini park outside the Kapilavastu city. She stood under a tree, holding one branch with her right hand and she gave birth to a son, Prince Siddhartha. The story on the panels continues until the prince becomes the Buddha.

The stories of Buddha's previous life (Jataka) and other legendary persons (Avadana) (Hero's Journey)

Jatakas are stories about the Buddha before he was born as Prince Siddhartha. It is the stories that tell about the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. The future Buddha may appear in them as a king, an outcast, a god, an elephant—but, in whatever form, he exhibits some virtue that the tale thereby inculcates. Avadanas are similar to jatakas, but the main figure is not the Bodhisattva himself. The saintly deeds in avadanas are attributed to other legendary persons. Jatakas and avadanas are treated in one and the same series in the reliefs of Borobudur.

The first 20 lower panels in the first gallery on the wall depict the Sudhanakumaravadana or the saintly deeds of Sudhana. The first 135 upper panels in the same gallery on the balustrades are devoted to the 34 legends of the Jatakamala The remaining 237 panels depict stories from other sources, as do for the lower series and panels in the second gallery. Some jatakas stories are depicted twice, for example the story of King Sibhi (Rama's forefather).

Sudhana's search for the Ultimate Truth (Gandavyuha) (Hero's Journey)

Gandavyuha is the story told in the final chapter of the Avatamsaka about Sudhana's tireless wandering in search of the Highest Perfect Wisdom. It covers two galleries (third and fourth) and also half of the second gallery; comprising in total of 460 panels. The principal figure of the story, the youth Sudhana, son of an extremely rich merchant, appears on the 16th panel. The preceding 15 panels form a Prologue to the story of the miracles during Buddha's samadhi in the Garden of Jeta at Sravasti.

During his search, Sudhana visited no less than 30 teachers but none of them had satisfied him completely. He was then instructed by Manjusri to meet the monk Megasri, where he was given the first doctrine. As his journey continues, Sudhana meets (in the following order) Supratisthita, the physician Megha (Spirit of Knowledge), the banker Muktaka, the monk Saradhvaja, Theupasika Asa (Spirit of Supreme Enlightenment), Bhismottaranirghosa, the Brahmin Jayosmayatna, Princess Maitrayani, the monk Sudarsana, a boy called Indriyesvara, the upasika Prabhuta, the banker Ratnachuda, King Anala, the god Siva Mahadeva, Queen Maya, Bodhisattva Maitreya and then back to Manjusri. Each meeting has given Sudhana a specific doctrine, knowledge and wisdom. These meetings are shown in the third gallery.

After the last meeting with Manjusri, Sudhana went to the residence of Bodhisattva Samantabhadra; depicted in the fourth gallery. The entire series of the fourth gallery is devoted to the teaching of Samantabhadra. The narrative panels finally end with Sudhana's achievement of the Supreme Knowledge and the Ultimate Truth.

Reference:

Borobudur (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2012, from  Absolute Astronomy website:  http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Borobudur

Borobudur (n.d.). Retrieved August 29, 2012, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

HOA_The Matrix_HFY_1105244

The Matrix is related to three major stages of monomyth :
Departure- Neo is awakened by his computer, he is called to follow the white rabbit. Neo meets Trinity says the Matrix will find an answer for him. Neo refuses to risk his life on avoiding the agents then he is arrested by them. After he is saved, Neo takes Morpheus’ pills. He go through the rebirth process and enter a new world.
Initiation- Neo undergoes trial and training to explore his potential. He starts his hero’s journey after he met the Oracle, and get her prophecy. Neo fights together with his crew member along the journey. But betrayed happen. Neo chooses to die so that reaching a higher purpose in order to rescue Morpheus.
Return-  Neo wakes up from the matrix programme and returns to the real world. He revives with new power to perceive and control the Matrix. Neo is The One now. Neo is going to show all the people that anything is possible.

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave:
People live in the matrix is same as prisoner inside the cave. They believe that the 'shadow' that they saw was the reality. Prisoner inside the cave is facing to the wall for a long time, so they did not aware that that is just a shadow cast by man. Same as people in Matrix, they live in a world under control of intelligent machines. They just saw what is provided by inside the matrix but they never aware that it was fake.

Hah Fung Yung 1105244

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The Matrix and the Plato's Allegory of the Cave

Plato's Allegory of the Cave is basically describing about what humans'  eyes see are actually illusion/lies from the real world. In some scenario, the objects we see might are only the shadow of the reality/truth.  Seems that  we were adapted to this illusion world since we were born, we can hardly differentiate which is the truth and which is not. We will 100% believe on what we see through our eyes .

Plato use human in the cave as his example for his allegory , as it is some-sort of related to the origin of the human living places. He described that the humans in the cave were chained, and the only thing they can see is the shadows on the wall.  Behind the human or "prisoners" burns a fire, and there is a parapet between the fire n the prisoners. The puppeteers hold up puppets then cast shadows on the wall of the cave.  The prisoners that chained could not see those puppet, the real object, but only the cast shadows on the wall. What prisoners hear and see are shadow and echoes.

The Matrix is about the main character Neo, who is controlled by the matrix agent. When Neo and his friend manage to escape from their "world", they realize that the life he has been leading so far is nothing but the life of a slave, shaped under the control of the Matrix, protected by the agent, just like the Plato's Allegory of the Cave. 

HOA Borobudur_LXM

Lee Xue Mei 1104306

(Image taken from http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Borobudur_Cross_Section_en.svg)

- Borobudur is a Mahayana Buddhist monument built in the 9th century located in Central Java, Indonesia.
- In Sanskrit, the name Borobudur is said to be derived from the words vihara Buddha uhr, which means the Buddhist monastery on the hill.

- Borobudur is a single giant stupa.
- It consists of 9 platforms- lower 6 are made of squares and the upper 3 are of circular.
- The upper platform has 72 small bell-shaped stupas surrounding a large middle stupa.
- Each platform represents one stage of enlightenment.
- Borobudur has 3 divisions representing the realms in Buddhist cosmology:

• Kamadhatu (world of desires) is represented by a base. It is the stage where men are influenced by negative impulses and are bound by lust. 
• Rupadhatu (world of forms) is represented by 5 square platforms. It is the stage where men have set themselves free from negative impulses such as lust but are still bound to appearance and shape. 
• Arupadhatu (the formless world) is represented by 3 circular platforms and a large stupa to indicate the transformation into the formless world, where non-existence of self is achieved. It is the stage where men are no longer controlled by lust, appearance and shape. 
• Arupa (the top part with large stupa) is the place where Buddha is residing, symbolizes nirvana. 

- Borobudur is a large teaching graphic telling the life story of Buddha towards Nirvana.
- The 2760 wall reliefs tell 4 main stories of Buddha:

• The law of karma or Karmavibhangga. It tells stories and gives examples of karma of both praiseworthy (e.g. love, loyalty) and blameworthy (e.g. rape, murder) activities.
• The birth of Buddha or Lalitavistara. Stories of Buddha's birth as Prince Siddhartha.
• The Jatakas and avadanas. Jatakas are stories about the Buddha before he was born, while Avadanas are similar to jatakas, but the story is not Buddha himself.
• The journeys of Sudhana searching for ultimate truth or Gandavyuha. Stories of Sudhana's searching of the highest wisdom.

- It is designed in Gupta architecture which reflects Indian influence in Indonesia.
- Its walls are sculptured in bas-reliefs/ low-reliefs (carving onto a wood or stone surface by removing its background) and the reliefs on main walls are read from right to left, while those on balustrade from left to right, for the purpose of Pradaksina, a ritual walking pilgrimage guided by staircase systems and corridors ascending to the top.
- The Buddha's statues are made of 6 different postures from bottom to the top level- earth, giving and helping, meditating, fearlessness, teaching and learning, and turning the wheel of dharma.

The Borobudur structure can be related to the Buddha's journey to Enlightenment which corresponds to the Hero's Journey. The entrance from the first platform- Kamadhatu into the second platform- Rupadhatu indicates the transition from the desire world into the world of forms, in which it is similar to Crossing the First Threshold in Hero's Journey. During the stay in the new world of forms, Buddha experienced Belly of The Whale, where he found himself in a completely alienated world and realized that he had been living in delusion (his old world) all his life. It is also marks the stage of  Initiation, where Buddha went through a lot of tests and suffers as Road of Trial, in order to no longer be influenced by appearance and shapes.

Meanwhile, in the third platform- Arupadhatu, which is the Formless World, Buddha was no longer be influenced by lust, appearance and shapes and achieved non-existence of self. It marks the stage of Apotheosis. Buddha chose not to return into his old world and resided in nirvana.


References:

Wikitravel. (July 12, 2012). Borobudur. Retrieved August 6, 2012, from http://wikitravel.org/en/Borobudur

Wikipedia (August 1, 2012). Borobudur. Retrieved August 6, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borobudur

Yunanto, W.U. (n.d.). Borobudur: The Biggest Buddhist Temple in The Ninth Century. Retrieved August 6, 2012, from http://www.yogyes.com/en/yogyakarta-tourism-object/candi/borobudur/

UNESCO. (n.d.). Borobudur Temple Compounds. Retrieved August 6, 2012, from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/592/