Panangkaran
Encyclopedia
Panangkaran was the ruler of Mataram Kingdom
between AD 760—780, the kingdom of which its power centralized on Java
island of Indonesia
. Crowned as Rakai Panangkaran, he was the immediate successor of Sri Sanjaya
, the founder of Sanjaya Dynasty
. The name of Panangkaran is mentioned in the Balitung charter
(found in the Kedu Plain
area) as the line of kings who were named as the 'builders of kraton'.
In the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Java observed rivalries between two dynasties. The first four Sanjaya Dynasty lines after King Sanjaya (Panangkaran, Panunggalan, Warak and Garung), which was known as the Amrati Kings, competed over their power and religious influences with the Sailendra
s princes in the south of central Java who had arisen since 779. The Sanjayas were Hindu
s while Sailendras were Buddhist
s. There was only an isolated kingship in the east of Java, Gajayana, who appeared to have control over the Mount Kawi
region in 760.
Although relationship between the Amrati Kings with Sailendra was important at that time, the rivalries between the two is still unclear. From the Kalasan
and Ratu Boko
inscriptions, there were stated that Panangkaran granted permission requested by the collective guru of the Sailendra king to build Buddhist sculpture
s, shrine
s and monasteries
in honor to the goddess Tara
. The construction was built under Panangkaran's supervision, but was supported by Sailendra's expenses. One of the construction results is the colossal Buddhist temple of Borobudur
, which was listed as a UNESCO
World Heritage Site
in 1991. In order to show his respect to the guru, Panangkaran consented the building of the shrine by giving the village of Kalasan to the Buddhist community.
Mataram Kingdom
The Medang or Mataram Kingdom was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that flourished between the 8th and 10th centuries CE. It was based in Central Java, and later in East Java. Established by King Sanjaya, the founder of the Sanjaya dynasty, the kingdom was ruled by the Sailendra and Sanjaya families...
between AD 760—780, the kingdom of which its power centralized on Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
island of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. Crowned as Rakai Panangkaran, he was the immediate successor of Sri Sanjaya
Sri Sanjaya
King Sri Sanjaya was the founder of Mataram Kingdom and also the Sanjaya Dynasty during the eighth century. His name was revealed in the AD 732 Sanskrit inscription carved in stone found at the foot of Ukir hill on the southern Kedu Plain in Central Java...
, the founder of Sanjaya Dynasty
Sanjaya Dynasty
The Sañjaya Dynasty was an ancient Javanese dynasty that ruled the Mataram kingdom in Java during first millennium CE. The dynasty was an active promoter of Hinduism in ancient Java.-Origin and formation:...
. The name of Panangkaran is mentioned in the Balitung charter
Mantyasih Inscription
The Mantyasih inscription is an important inscription found in the village of Mateseh, North Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. It is dated to 907 and was edicted by King Balitung from Sanjaya dynasty, of the Ancient Medang Kingdom...
(found in the Kedu Plain
Kedu Plain
Kedu Plain is the fertile volcanic plain that lies between the volcanoes Mount Sumbing and Mount Sundoro to the west, and Mount Merbabu and Mount Merapi to the east on Central Java, Indonesia. The plain also bordering the Menoreh hills in the southwest and Prambanan Plain in the southeast...
area) as the line of kings who were named as the 'builders of kraton'.
In the late 8th and early 9th centuries, Java observed rivalries between two dynasties. The first four Sanjaya Dynasty lines after King Sanjaya (Panangkaran, Panunggalan, Warak and Garung), which was known as the Amrati Kings, competed over their power and religious influences with the Sailendra
Sailendra
Sailendra is the name of an influential Indonesian dynasty that emerged in 8th century Java.The Sailendras were active promoters of Mahayana Buddhism and covered the Kedu Plain of Central Java with Buddhist monuments, including the world famous Borobudur.The Sailendras are considered to be a...
s princes in the south of central Java who had arisen since 779. The Sanjayas were Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s while Sailendras were Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
s. There was only an isolated kingship in the east of Java, Gajayana, who appeared to have control over the Mount Kawi
Mount Kawi
Mount Kawi or Gunung Kawi is a stratovolcano in East Java on Java island, Indonesia. It is a massive volcano, adjacent to Mount Butak. There is no historical record of its eruptions....
region in 760.
Although relationship between the Amrati Kings with Sailendra was important at that time, the rivalries between the two is still unclear. From the Kalasan
Kalasan inscription
The Kalasan inscription is an inscription dated 700 Saka , discovered in Kalasan village, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The inscription was written in Sanskrit with Pranagari script .-Contents:...
and Ratu Boko
Ratu Boko
Ratu Boko is an archaeological site known to modern Javanese as Kraton Ratu Boko or Ratu Boko's Palace. Ratu Boko is located on a plateau, about three kilometres south of Lara Jonggrang Prambanan temple complex in Yogyakarta Indonesia...
inscriptions, there were stated that Panangkaran granted permission requested by the collective guru of the Sailendra king to build Buddhist sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
s, shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
s and monasteries
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in honor to the goddess Tara
Tara (Buddhism)
Tara or Ārya Tārā, also known as Jetsun Dolma in Tibetan Buddhism, is a female Bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism who appears as a female Buddha in Vajrayana Buddhism. She is known as the "mother of liberation", and represents the virtues of success in work and achievements...
. The construction was built under Panangkaran's supervision, but was supported by Sailendra's expenses. One of the construction results is the colossal Buddhist temple of Borobudur
Borobudur
Borobudur, or Barabudur, is a 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument near Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia. The monument comprises six square platforms topped by three circular platforms, and is decorated with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues...
, which was listed as a UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
in 1991. In order to show his respect to the guru, Panangkaran consented the building of the shrine by giving the village of Kalasan to the Buddhist community.