First of all a remark about my approach to Mendut and the Candi's in general. Rather than focussing on a detail I try to grasp the interdependence of all phenomena involved. Secondly I do not try to explain them against the background of "official" dogma's, stories and philosophies, but put them in context of their origination e.g. roots. By doing so the result is often so surprising e.g.different that one wonders that it is the selfsame object

Originally, Candi Mendut was part of one huge Borobudur temple-complex. So, what is found there says something about the original meaning of the whole site. Although Sakyamuni occupies the central hall, the whole atmosphere breathes a feminine Presence. M. Long called it the "Womb of the Tathagatha", however, without taking the consequences

After having circled the temple many times it dawned to me that it symbolized life from bottom-up. The lowest layer represents the earth. It is inhabited with plants, animals and humans. The latter very much portrayed as living in harmony with naure. It is I think a very unque Javanese approach, neither derived from Hinduism nor Buddhism. Surprisingly, it shows great similarity with the Green Men of Europe (LINK Chartres Cathedral)

Typically these men kneel instead of taking e.g. the lotus position. They express veneration for nature, rather than superiority. Their hands touching leaves and branches. They are the archetype of "natural man". Because they are carved on the bottom layer they represent archaic times e.g. the times before the "great religions" made their entry

CANDI MENDUT
The four-dimensional temple
bottom-up

KALA
THE NEW GOD
THE GODS
NATURE & HUMANS

The Gods do not exist on their own, though.....First of all, the principal figure of the SW facade is the Goddess Kunda. She sits upon a lotus supported by two nagas, with two Bodhisattvas as Her attendants. Cunda isn't just a Goddess. She is the "Yoni of the Universe", the Oriental Great Mother. She is also called "Mother of the Buddha"......"Kunda's are the Mother's natural children, those who have no connection to a father....It couldn't be more revealing. "Children of the mother" refers to matriarchal times, where the lineage was through the mother, only.

The two Bodhisattva's are Her sons. This is emphasized by a second Kunda, sitting under a tree (Tree of Life, symbol of the Great Mother) on a throne with lotus and eight arms. Next to Her a......Maitreya, surmounted by a stupa.....also holding a lotus. In another corner the Goddess Hariti from Ghandara (Indus Valley) is portrayed....She is the predecessor to.....Maitreya. That's why Maitreya is often portrayed as a feminine figure with several children on his lap, shoulders.....just like Hariti. A clear indication, that the creators wanted to emphasize the feminine aspect of the Bodhisattva Maitreya and his link - via the Indus Valley - to the Mesopotamian pantheon......*

* Summarizing: Candi Mendut thus having a direct link with the Great Mother of Sumeria....