Mendut temple is located at the east of the straight line triad temple (Borobudur, Pawon, Mendut). This temple was founded by the dynasty and set berlakang Syailendra Buddhism, where it is shown in the form of the stupa there are 48 pieces in the atasnya.Tidak known exactly when this temple was founded. But a Dutch archaeological inscription mentions that found in didesa KARANGTENGAH bertarikh 824M Indra argued that the king had built the shrine called venunava which means bamboo forests. If this is true then surely Mendut founded in the 8th century AD.
On the inside of this temple there is a room containing the altar where the three statues of Buddha stands. All three statues are starting from the far left is Vajravani Bodhisattva, the Buddha Sakyamuni and Bodhisattva. These three Buddha statues are still in good condition, some flowers and incense seems dibagian lying underneath. An iron fence was built the statue of the front to avoid excessive visitor interaction / was not concerned over this third Buddha statue.
Reliefs found on temple walls are still clearly visible form / engraving. Relief contains the story of the moral teachings using animal characters (fables) as characters. There is a story of "Brahmins and Crab", "Goose and Turtle", "Two Birds of a Different Betet" and "Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi", the contents of the story briefly is as follows:
"Brahmins and Kepeting": Telling the story of a Brahmin who saved a crab for the crab is then returned the favor with a way to save the Brahmin from the disruption of crows and snakes.
"Goose and Turtle": Talking about a tortoise who was flown two geese kedanau new. Because emotions in speech responded to what they do, the tortoise, so let go the ground and eventually fall off.
"Two Birds of a Different Betet": tells the parrot behavior of two very different because it only brought up by the Brahmins and the other by a highwayman.
"Dharmabuddhi and Dustabuddhi": Two different friends Dustabuddhi behavior which has accused the despicable nature Dharmabuddhi behave abominably, but eventually discovered and Dustabudhi crime nor sentenced.
Chronologically, Mendut discovered in 1836. Later in the year renovation in 1897 and 1904 at the temple of the body but the results are less satisfactory. In the year 1908 archaeologists restored again by the Dutch until the top can be rearranged. In 1925 a number of stupas that have dirapihkan, installed and reassembled. Building area as a whole is 13.7 X13, 7 height 26.4 meters meterdengan.

Buddha statues inside the booth is Mendut, Dyani Buddha statue or Vairocana Cakyamuni, Buddha statue or Lokesvara Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani Bodhisattva statue. Dyani Buddha statue facing west Cakyamuni (which was in the middle), sitting with his legs position angle downward, tread on a lotus-shaped foundation. Attitude hands 'dharmacakramudra' which means playing 'wheel of life'.

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue in the north Dyani Buddha statues Cakyamuni, facing south. This image is portrayed in a sitting position, legs folded into the left and right leg hanging down. Attitude hand, 'varamudra' are giving meaningful or preach. This Avalokitesvara Pengarcaan Budhisatva oversized dress with jewels in her ears, neck and shoulders brown, and wear a crown.

And Vajrapani Bodhisattva statue located on the left side of Sakyamuni Buddha statue facing north, described by wearing a dress like Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue. Pengarcaannya a sitting position, right leg folded up with your feet touching the thigh, left leg hanging down.
Mendut building standing on a 'basement' (base of the temple) 3.70 meters tall, so elegant, strong and authoritative. Basic size of the temple 13.70 meters x 13.70 meters. The number of levels up the temple there are 14 traps, facing northwest. Toward this direction is not uncommon for temples in Central Java. Because in general the temples in Central Java, facing east. In the basement there are surrounding the hall of the temple body width 2.48 meters. The roof of the temple consists of three levels decorated with small stupas numbered 48 men. From the image reconstruction, the temple was originally a temple top. But unfortunately, the top of the beautiful temple until now not been successfully reconstructed. Building stone and ornamental stone temple can not be reconstructed now neatly arranged in the courtyard of the temple to the north. Now this temple building height, 26.50 meters.
Indeed Mendut other temples in Indonesia. As a Buddhist temple, this temple has its own attraction. Not only the existence of a large Buddha statue, the temple is also decorated with reliefs depicting the Jataka story-story, laden with meaning legal doctrines' Cause and Effect. "Contour-reliefs were carved on the outside panels of the wing ladder below. Relief on the right describes the story, the tortoise is in danger, saved by two storks. It turned out that a crane was deceiving the tortoise. Salvation, the tortoise was brought to bite a piece of wood two birds flying bango it to be taken to a lake. Because the tortoise tricked, he dared to fight the bird by biting his neck. So the birds died because of his evil deeds. Fable story relief (the story with animal characters) others in another panel, tells about a monkey who helped and diseberangkan a crocodile. The monkey climbed on the back of a crocodile. Actually the crocodile wants to eat the liver of monkeys. In the middle of the river crocodile stopped, and want to rip the belly of apes with sharp teeth. But with the clever monkey told the crocodile that he was left on the opposite bank. And that stupid crocodile believed talk of apes, monkeys who then ordered to keep him all the way across the stream. Arriving at the side of the river, the monkey jumped to escape.
On the other reliefs illustrate the story, an elephant who became violent when he was in the midst of those who were convicted of crimes. But the elephant was a gentle and docile when she was around the ascetics, the bhiku, the atmosphere was calm and quiet. And many more Fable story relief from the Jataka stories carved in this temple. Because of this temple was built not only as a place of worship and contemplation, but also as a place to deepen the teachings of the Buddha for his people.
On the right of the entrance to the chambers of the temple (north side), there is a relief Kuvera. This relief illustrates Kuwera god, the god of Wealth. Description, there is a man who sat surrounded by children. Beneath it were jars filled with money. It is said in the beginning was Kuvera giant man-eating savage. But after meeting with the Buddha and given moral and noble character, he repented and changed temperament to be protective of children.
On the left side (south side) entrance to the chambers of the temple, reliefs Hariti terpahatkan sitting lap child. Hariti around there are many children playing. As Kuvera, also beginning raseksi Hariti cannibal, and after realized and converted into child protection after the meeting and given the good teachings of the Buddha. Even Hariti also known as the Goddess of Fertility.
Temple is located in the city area of District Mungkid Mendut is approximately 3 kilometers east of the Borobudur temple. Until now not known with certainty, when the temple was built. Drs. Soediman in English-language guidebook, 'Chandi Mendut. Its relationship with Pawon and Borobudur 'writing, in a Dutch archaeologist dissertations, JG de Casparis connect this temple with the king of the dynasty Sailendra, Indra. In the inscription dated Karangtengah 824 AD during the reign of King Samaratungga mention that King Indra, the king's father Samaratungga, has established the shrine named 'Venuvana', which means bamboo forests. And according to Bhiku Sri Pannyavaro Mahathera in narrative in a video film documentary "Jewels are forgotten, Buddhist temples in Java" mentioned, the original name of this temple is 'Venuvana Mandira', which means palace in the middle of the bamboo forests.
When rediscovered in 1834, this temple covered ground and shrubs. Like Borobudur, the temple is estimated mahapralaya also a victim of the eruption of Mount Merapi in 1006 AD Damaged so ravaged affected Merapi volcanic material. And for centuries these temples 'sank' swallowed up times, along with the displacement of the center of the kingdom in Central Java to East Java.