Basreliëf in de muur aan de zuidzijde van de Borobudur Possibly 1873 - 1879

This photograph by Isidore Kinsbergen captures a bas-relief on the south side of Borobudur, featuring scenes rich with symbolic weight. Notice the repetition of seated figures in meditative poses, their hands often in mudras of teaching and blessing. These gestures, deeply rooted in Buddhist iconography, transcend time and space. We can see their echoes in the serene Buddhas of Gandhara, or even in the contemplative figures of medieval Christian art, each adapted to their cultural context yet sharing a common thread of spiritual focus. Consider the offering scene in the lower panel. This act of giving appears across cultures, from ancient Egyptian tomb paintings to Renaissance depictions of the Magi. It signifies devotion, respect, and the cyclical nature of life. The persistence of these images speaks to a collective memory, a primal human need to connect with the sacred through symbolic action. This image, beyond its historical and religious context, taps into our shared subconscious, reminding us of the timeless human quest for meaning and connection.