Discover the unparalleled grandeur of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage site and Java’s most magnificent monument. This 5-volume set, “Borobudur: Archaeological Description,” offers an in-depth exploration of this early 9th-century AD architectural marvel. Featuring nine receding terraces adorned with approximately 1500 intricate relief sculptures depicting the life of Buddha and Buddhist stories, it’s a testament to Hindu-Javan culture. Delve into the fine quality of its immense decorations, extensive relief work, and numerous Buddha images. Based on ancient texts from Sarvastivada and Vajrayana Buddhism, this comprehensive archaeological and architectural description is essential for history buffs, art enthusiasts, and scholars of Buddhist studies. Explore this wonder of the world with “The Bookish Owl.”

Explore the magnificent Barabudur monument in Java, Indonesia, with this comprehensive archaeological description. Volume 3 of this seminal work details the early ninth-century A.D. structure, renowned for its nine receding terraces and intricate galleries adorned with approximately 1500 sculptured panels depicting the life of the Buddha and Buddhist stories. Delve into the fusion of massive grandeur and exquisite craftsmanship, where ‘artists conceived like giants and finished like jewelers.’ This book, based on extensive research and photographic surveys from the early 20th century, offers deep insights into the Hindu-Javan culture and the Buddhist narratives of the Sarvastivada and Vajrayana schools. A must-have for enthusiasts of ancient architecture, Buddhist art, and Indonesian history.