Social accounting and ancient javanese society: the case of Borobudur Temple

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to provide evidences of concerns about social accounting issues in ancient Javanese society in the case of Borobudur temple reliefs. This paper uses qualitative and interpretative approach as method. The data were collected through library research and observation in Borobudur temple. The result proves that social accounting in ancient Java was interpreted, as the manifestation of human’s spiritual journey to liberate himself from worldly desire in the quest for supreme enlightenment. The determination of sima and narrative reliefs about punishment for someone who captures and consumes natural resources excessively, provides evidences of good moral values contained in accounting and their implementation in business life. Based on the Buddhist philosophy, social accounting eventually came as an economic control and mediator for conflicts between human beings, their needs, and their environment in a holistic manner.