Not all beauty can be captured by the camera. Do you think this is odd??

That is what I experience whenever I visit Muaro Jambi Temple.

In the heart of a Muslim settlement in Muaro Jambi, there stands a Buddhist temple that is both quiet and graceful. This temple complex covers an area of 4,000 hectares and was once believed to be the largest Buddhist school in Asia. It is likely that students traveled via the river route to reach the temple located on the banks of the Batanghari River.

I have come here several times, and there are progressive changes every time I see it again. The Indonesian government continues to work to rebuild the temple, digging up ruins from the ground and reconstructing under the direction of archaeologists.

This temple is magnificent. However, every time I take its picture, my heart feels despair.

Why?

My camera always fails to capture the temple’s beauty, which is hundreds of times more stunning than what appears in the photo.

The temple complex consists of numerous large and medium-sized temples and many smaller ones. There are 11 main temples, but it is estimated that approximately 82 temple ruins are buried beneath mounds that form small hills.

Yesterday, despite the rain, I visited three temples: Gumpung, Tinggi, and Gedong.

Visitors may need to walk up to 500 meters or more from one temple to another, making it suitable for quiet walks. The area is shaded by large trees and green lawns.

It is still frequently used by Buddhists all over the world who come to participate in significant ceremonies, such as Waisak. This event always attracts many tourists and features a vibrant festival atmosphere.