Latest / The Srivijaya Empire: Southeast Asia's Forgotten Maritime Superpower — Fexingo History / Srivijaya's Sailendra Dynasty Builds Borobudur
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked a lot about Srivijaya as a maritime power — trade, diplomacy, the Orang Laut. But there's this other side to the empire that's equally fascinating: the Sailendra dynasty and their building of Borobudur. It's the world's largest Buddhist monument, and it's right there on Java, not in Palembang. Luna: Wait — I thought Srivijaya was based in Sumatra. What are they doing building a monument on Java? Lucas: Great question. The Sailendras were a dynasty that ruled over central Java from the 8th to 9th centuries, and they were closely allied with Srivijaya — some scholars even think they were a branch of the Srivijayan royal family. The name 'Sailendra' means 'King of the Mountain', and they were devout Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhists. Lucas: Their greatest achievement is Borobudur, built between about 780 and 840 CE. It's a massive stupa complex with nine terraces — six square and three circular — all carved from volcanic stone. The whole thing is shaped like a mandala, and it's covered in relief panels depicting Buddhist cosmology and the life of the Buddha. Luna: That's incredible. So how does Srivijaya fit in exactly? Lucas: Well, the Sailendras were contemporaneous with Srivijaya's peak, and they had strong ties through marriage and trade. The Srivijayan Maharajas saw themselves as protectors of Buddhism, and they sponsored monasteries in India — like the one at Nalanda. So Borobudur was part of that broader Buddhist network. Plus, the Sailendras likely used Srivijayan ships and trade routes to bring in materials and artisans. Lucas: The main king behind Borobudur was Samaratungga, who ruled around the early 9th century. He was married to a woman named Dewi Tara — and here's where it gets interesting: Dewi Tara was a princess from the Srivijayan court. So Borobudur is literally a monument to the alliance between the Sailendras and Srivijaya. Luna: So it's like a joint project between two kingdoms — a symbol of their union. Lucas: Exactly. And the building itself is a technological marvel. The base is about 120 meters on each side, and the whole structure rises to 35 meters. The relief panels, if laid end to end, would stretch for over three kilometers. It was built without any mortar — the stones are locked together like a giant 3D puzzle. Lucas: And the design is deeply symbolic. Pilgrims would walk clockwise around each terrace, moving from the world of desire — with all its scenes of daily life and karma — up to the realm of formlessness, represented by the circular terraces with their perforated stupas containing Buddha statues. At the very top, there's a large central stupa, symbolizing nirvana. Luna: It sounds like a spiritual journey carved in stone. Lucas: That's exactly what it was meant to be. And the whole thing is oriented toward Mount Meru, the cosmic axis in Buddhist cosmology. The Kedu Plain where Borobudur sits is a fertile volcanic basin, so it's like they built a cosmic mountain in the middle of a rice field. Lucas: But here's a mystery: after the Sailendras declined in the 9th century — partly due to pressure from the Hindu Sanjaya dynasty on Java — Borobudur was gradually abandoned. By the 14th century, it was completely deserted, and volcanic eruptions and jungle growth buried it. It wasn't rediscovered until 1814, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles — yes, the founder of Singapore — heard about it and sent a British engineer to clear the site. Luna: So it was lost for centuries. That's amazing. Lucas: And when they uncovered it, they found that the reliefs tell stories not just from Buddhist texts, but also from local Javanese folklore. So it's a fusion of Indian Buddhist ideas with indigenous Southeast Asian culture. That's the hallmark of Srivijaya's influence — they didn't just import religion; they adapted it. Luna: I've seen pictures of Borobudur — it's stunning. But I never knew it was connected to Srivijaya. Lucas: Most people don't. And it's a reminder that Srivijaya's reach went far beyond trade. They were patrons of art, architecture, and religion. The Sailendras also built other temples like Candi Mendut and Candi Pawon, which are part of the same Borobudur complex. And there's a theory that the name 'Sailendra' itself might be linked to the Srivijayan title 'Maharaja' — both meaning 'great king'. Lucas: But we should be honest: there's a lot we still don't know. The exact relationship between the Sailendras and Srivijaya is debated. Some historians argue that the Sailendras were actually a Javanese dynasty who later conquered Srivijaya, while others see them as a Srivijayan cadet branch that took over Java. Luna: So it's like a historical chicken and egg problem. Lucas: Exactly. The evidence comes from inscriptions — like the Kalasan inscription from 778 CE, which mentions a Sailendra king named Dharanindra. And there's the Nalanda charter from India, which records a request from a Sailendra king — possibly Balaputra — to build a monastery there. Balaputra is also mentioned in Srivijayan records as a Maharaja. So there's overlap, but the details are fuzzy. Luna: It's like they're two sides of the same coin. Lucas: And that coin is Buddhist Southeast Asia. The Sailendra-Srivijaya axis controlled the Strait of Malacca and the Java Sea, funneling trade between China and India. Their ports were cosmopolitan hubs where monks, merchants, and mercenaries mingled. Borobudur was a statement of their wealth and piety — a spiritual beacon visible from the sea. Lucas: You know, thinking about all this research and the work that goes into these episodes — it reminds me that a lot of this history is only accessible because of ongoing scholarship and public interest. And honestly, a couple of dollars a month from listeners is what keeps these conversations going — buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo, if you've gotten something out of them. Luna: Yeah, it really makes a difference — helps us keep digging into topics like this. Lucas: So back to Borobudur — one of the most striking things is the sheer number of Buddha statues: 504 in total, each in a different mudra, or hand gesture. They're arranged by terrace, with the lower ones showing the Bhumisparsha mudra — touching the earth — and the higher ones showing the Dharmachakra mudra — turning the wheel of law. Luna: It's like a visual encyclopedia of Buddhist iconography. Lucas: Exactly. And the reliefs also depict everyday life in 9th-century Java — boats, markets, musicians, even a scene of a man sharpening a knife. So it's not just religious; it's a historical record of the material culture of the time. Lucas: Now, the Sailendras eventually lost power to the Sanjaya dynasty, who were Hindus. The Sanjayas built their own massive temple complex at Prambanan, dedicated to Shiva. So central Java became a sort of religious battleground — but one where both sides built monumental architecture. Luna: So Borobudur and Prambanan are like rival monuments? Lucas: In a way, yes. But it's also possible that they coexisted peacefully for a time. The Sailendra king Samaratungga married a Hindu princess, so there was intermarriage. And the decline of the Sailendras was gradual. By the late 9th century, the center of power shifted eastward to the Mataram kingdom, and Borobudur slipped into obscurity. Lucas: But its rediscovery in the 19th century sparked a new interest in Buddhist archaeology. And today, Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction. But it's also still a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, especially during Vesak. Luna: It's amazing that something built over a thousand years ago still has spiritual significance today. Lucas: Absolutely. And it's a testament to the vision of the Sailendra kings and their Srivijayan allies. They weren't just building a temple — they were building a cosmic map that would guide pilgrims toward enlightenment. And in doing so, they left us a monument that still inspires awe. Lucas: So next time you see a picture of Borobudur, remember: it's not just Javanese or Buddhist — it's Srivijayan too, in a way. It's the stone embodiment of a maritime empire's spiritual ambition. Luna: That's a great way to put it.