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Bodhi Tree

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For the tree species more generally, seeFicus religiosa.

24°41′45.29″N84°59′29.29″E/ 24.6959139°N 84.9914694°E/24.6959139; 84.9914694 TheBodhi Tree( "tree of awakening"[1]), also called theMahabodhi Tree,Bo Tree,[2]is a large sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa)[1][3]located inBodh Gaya,Bihar,India.Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who became known asthe Buddha,is said to have attained enlightenment orbuddhahoodcirca 500 BCE under this tree.[4]In religiousiconography,the Bodhi Tree is recognizable by its heart-shaped leaves, which are usually prominently displayed.[5]

The Mahabodhi Tree at the SriMahabodhi Templein Bodh Gaya
TheDiamond throneorVajrashila,where the Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya

The original tree under which Siddhartha Gautama sat is no longer living, but the term "bodhi tree" is also applied to existingsacred fig trees.[6]The foremost example of an existing tree is theMahabodhi Treegrowing at theMahabodhi TempleinBodh Gaya,which is often cited as a direct descendant of the original tree. This tree, planted around 250 BCE, is a frequent destination forpilgrims,being the most important of the four mainBuddhist pilgrimagesites.[7]

Other holy bodhi trees with great significance in the history of Buddhism are theAnandabodhi TreeatJetavanainSravastiin North India and theSri Maha Bodhi TreeinAnuradhapura,Sri Lanka.Both are also believed to have been propagated from the original Bodhi Tree.[citation needed]

TheForest Research Institute of Indiaassists in the upkeep of the tree since 2007.[8][9][10]Cloning has been considered in 2008.[11]Its sacred leaves can also be bought by pilgrims as mementos.[11]Religious offerings, which would draw insects, were shifted to some distance from the tree.[11]

Origin and descendants

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Bodh Gaya

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1810 picture of a small temple beneath theBodhi tree,Bodh Gaya.[12]
The Mahabodhi tree at Bodhgaya in 2015.
Illustration of the temple built byAsokaat Bodh-Gaya around the Bodhi tree. Sculpture of theSatavahanaperiod atSanchi,1st century CE.
Main article:Mahabodhi Temple

The Bodhi tree at theMahabodhi Templeis called the Sri Maha Bodhi.Gautama Buddhaattainedenlightenment(bodhi) while meditating underneath aFicus religiosa.According toBuddhist texts,the Buddha meditated without moving from his seat for seven weeks (49 days) under this tree. A shrine called Animisalocana cetiya, was later erected on the spot where he sat.[13]

The spot was used as a shrine even in the lifetime of the Buddha. EmperorAshoka the Greatwas most diligent in paying homage to the Bodhi tree, and held a festival every year in its honour in the month ofKattika.[14]His queen,Tissarakkhā,was jealous of the Tree, and three years after she became queen (i.e., in the nineteenth year of Asoka's reign), she cursed the tree to be killed by means of mandu thorns.[15]The tree, however, grew again, and a great monastery was attached to the Bodhimanda called the Bodhimanda Vihara. Among those present at the foundation Kattika theMahā Thūpaare mentioned thirty thousand monks from the Bodhimanda Vihara, led by Cittagutta.[16]

In the 7th century CE, Chinese travelerXuanzangwrote of the tree in detail.

Bodhi Tree sign, 2013

Every time the tree was destroyed, a new tree was planted in the same place.[17]

In 1862 British archaeologistAlexander Cunninghamwrote of the site as the first entry in the first volume of theArchaeological Survey of India:

The celebrated Bodhi tree still exists, but is very much decayed; one large stem, with three branches to the westward, is still green, but the other branches are barkless and rotten. The green branch perhaps belongs to some younger tree, as there are numerous stems of apparently different trees clustered together. The tree must have been renewed frequently, as the present Pipal is standing on a terrace at least 30 feet above the level of the surrounding country. It was in full vigour in 1811, when seen byDr. Buchanan (Hamilton),who describes it as in all probability not exceeding 100 years of age.[18]

However, the tree decayed further and in 1876 the remaining tree was destroyed in a storm. Cunningham says the young scion of the parent tree was already in existence to take its place.[19][20]

To Jetavana, Sravasti

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Ashoka'sMahabodhi TempleandDiamond throneinBodh Gaya,built circa 250 BCE. The inscription between the Chaitya arches reads:"Bhagavato Sakamunino/ bodho"i.e. "The building round theBodhi treeof the Holy Sakamuni (Shakyamuni) ".[21]Bharhutfrieze (circa 100 BCE).

It is said that in the ancient Buddhist texts[22]in order that people might make their offerings in the name of the Buddha when he was away on pilgrimage, the Buddha sanctioned the planting of a seed from the Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya in front of the gateway ofJetavana MonasterynearSravasti.For this purposeMoggallanatook a fruit from the tree as it dropped from its stalk before it reached the ground. It was planted in a golden jar byAnathapindikawith great pomp and ceremony. A sapling immediately sprouted forth, fiftycubitshigh, and in order to consecrate it, the Buddha spent one night under it, rapt in meditation. This tree, because it was planted under the direction ofAnanda,came to be known as the Ananda Bodhi.

To Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

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King Asoka's daughter,Sanghamitta,brought a piece of the tree with her toSri Lankawhere it is continuously growing to this day in the island's ancient capital,Anuradhapura.[19] This Bodhi tree was originally namedJaya Sri Maha Bodhi.[23]According to the Mahavamsa, the Sri Maha Bodhi inSri Lankawas planted in 288 BCE, making it the oldest verified specimen of anyangiosperm.In this year (the twelfth year of KingAsoka's reign) the right branch of the Bodhi tree was brought by Sanghamittā to Anurādhapura and placed byDevānāmpiyatissahis left foot in the Mahāmeghavana. The Buddha, on his death bed, had resolved five things, one being that the branch which should be taken to Ceylon should detach itself.[14]From Gayā, the branch was taken toPātaliputta,thence toTāmalittī,where it was placed in a ship and taken to Jambukola, across the sea; finally it arrived atAnuradhapura,staying on the way atTivakka.Those who assisted the king at the ceremony of the planting of the Tree were the nobles of Kājaragāma and of Candanagāma and of Tivakka.

TheJaya Sri Maha Bodhiis also known to be the most sacred Bodhi tree. This came upon the Buddhists who performed rites and rituals near the Bodhi tree. The Bodhi tree was known to cause rain and heal the ill. When an individual became ill, one of his or her relatives would visit the Bodhi tree to water it seven times for seven days and to vow on behalf of the sick for a speedy recovery.[24]

To Honolulu, Hawaii

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In 1913,Anagarika Dharmapalatook a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi toHawaii,where he presented it to his benefactor,Mary E. Foster,who had funded much Buddhist missionary work. She planted it in the grounds of her house inHonolulu,by the Nuʻuanu stream. On her death, she left her house and its grounds to the people of Honolulu, and it became theFoster Botanical Garden.[25]

To Chennai, India

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Sapling of the Maha bodhi tree planted in the year 1950 at Theosophical society

In 1950,Jinarajadasatook three saplings of the Sri Maha Bodhi to plant two saplings inChennai,one was planted near the Buddha temple at theTheosophical Societyanother at the riverside of Adyar Estuary. The third was planted near a meditation center in Sri Lanka.[26]

To Trấn Quốc, Hanoi, Vietnam

In 1959, to mark the visit of the first President of India, Shri Rajendra Prasad, a cutting of the original tree in Bodh Gaya was gifted and presently it stands as the Bodhi tree on the grounds of theTrấn Quốc pagoda[27].

To Thousand Oaks, California, USA

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In 2012, Brahmanda Pratap Barua, Ripon, Dhaka, Bangladesh, took a sapling of Bodhi tree from Buddha Gaya, Maha Bodhi toThousand Oaks, California,where he presented it to his benefactor, Anagarika Glenn Hughes, who had funded much Buddhist work and teaches Buddhism in the USA.[28]He and his students received the sapling with a great thanks, later they planted the sapling in the ground in a nearby park.

To Nihon-ji, Japan

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In 1989, the government ofIndiapresentedNihon-jiwith a sapling from the Bodhi Tree as a gesture of world peace.[citation needed]

To Deekshabhoomi, Nagpur, India

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This Bodhi Tree was planted atDeekshabhoomifrom three branches of the Bodhi Tree atAnuradhapurain Sri Lanka.Bhadant Anand Kausalyayanbrought these branches from Sri Lanka as a memorial of Buddha's enlightenment. This site is holy toNavayana Buddhismas this is the place whereDr. B. R. Ambedkarconverted to Buddhism along with 600,000 followers on 14 October 1956,Dhammachakra Pravartan Din.

To Quezon City, Philippines

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The sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka was planted on 15 May 2011, at Wisdom Park 14 Broadway Avenue, New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines byD. M. Jayaratne,Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, and Mariano S. Yupitun, the founder of Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc.

To Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

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A sapling of the Sacred Bodhi tree from Anuradhapura Sri Lanka was planted in April 2008 at Kurilpa Point, the site of the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), by the artistLee Mingwei,as the centerpiece to his'Bhodi Tree Project'which is described as an ambitious living artwork.

Brazil

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There are two descendants inBrazil.One in the Busshinji temple, the head temple ofSōtōin Latin America, inSão Paulo,and another in the Soto Temple Daissenji, inFlorianópolis.[29]

Mahabodhi trees of other Buddhas

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Following is a list of the various Mahabodhi trees under which all of the Buddhas known toTheravadaBuddhism attainedbuddhahood.[30]

Buddha (Pāli name) Bodhirukka(tree of enlightenment; Pāli name) binomial name
1 Taṇhaṅkara rukkaththana
2 Medhaṅkara kaela
3 Saraṇaṅkara pulila
4 Dīpaṃkara pipphali Ficus obtusifolia
5 Koṇḍañña salakalyanīka Oroxylum indicum
6 Maṅgala nāga Mesua ferrea
7 Sumana nāga Mesua ferrea
8 Revata nāga Mesua ferrea
9 Sobhita nāga Mesua ferrea
10 Anomadassi ajjuna Terminalia arjuna
11 Paduma mahāsona Oroxylum indicum
12 Nārada mahāsona Oroxylum indicum
13 Padumuttara salala Pinus roxburghii
14 Sumedha mahanīpa Neolamarckia cadamba
15 Sujāta mahavelu Bambusa bambos
16 Piyadassi kakudha Crateva religiosa
17 Atthadassi campaka Magnolia champaca
18 Dhammadassī bimbijala Pavetta indica
19 Siddhattha kanikara Pterospermum acerifolium
20 Tissa asana Terminalia elliptica
21 Phussa amakala Phyllanthus emblica
22 Vipassī pāṭalī Stereospermum chelonoides
23 Sikhī puṇḍarīka Mangifera indica
24 Vessabhū sāla Shorea robusta
25 Kakusandha sirīsa Albizia lebbeck
26 Koṇāgamana uḍumbara Ficus racemosa
27 Kassapa nigrodha Ficus benghalensis
28 Gautama Buddha(present Buddha) assattha Ficus religiosa
29 Metteyya(future Buddha)[31] nāga Mesua ferrea

Celebrations

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Bodhi Day

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On 8 December,Bodhi Daycelebrates Buddha's enlightenment underneath the Bodhi Tree. Those who follow theDharma[dubious–discuss]greet each other by saying, "Budu saranai!" which translates to "may the peace of the Buddha be yours."[32]It is also generally seen as a religious holiday, much like Christmas in the Christian west, in which special meals are served, especially cookies shaped like hearts (referencing the heart-shaped leaves of the Bodhi) and a meal ofkheer,the Buddha's first meal ending his six-yearasceticism.[33]

Bodhi Tree and Bihar Emblem

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The Bo tree is the main part of theBihar State emblem.During British rule, the State Reorganisation Act of 1935 adopted the Bo tree symbol in the state emblem, following a recommendation to that effect being forwarded to the Royal Society.[34][35]

Bodhi Puja

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Bodhi Puja, meaning "the veneration of Bodhi-tree" is the ritual to worship the Bodhi tree and the deity residing on it (Pali: rukkhadevata; Sanskrit; vrikshadevata). It is done by giving various offerings such as food, water, milk, lamps, incense, etc. and chanting the verses of glory of Bodhi tree inPali.The most common verse is:

"Ime ete mahabodhi lokanathena pujita ahampi te namassami bodhi raja namatthu te. "

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  • A Bodhi Tree leaf with a rainwater top on one.
  • 28 Bodhi Tree and Meditators, at the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya
  • The Maha Bodhi tree, Bodh Gaya
  • The sacred tree of Buddha. A photo fromJami al-Tawarikhby Rasheed al-Din Al-Hamazani, Folio 47 Recto. The collection of Royal Asian Society inLondon.Rab-i-Rashidi 1314
  • Stamp of India - 1997 - Colnect 163602 - Bodhi Tree
  • A small temple beneath the Bodhi tree, Bodh Gaya, c. 1810
  • Bodhi Tree Photograph from the National Museum,Bangkok,Thailand
  • Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree in the Mahamewna Gardens,Anuradhapura,Sri Lanka.It is said to be the southern branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment


See also

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References

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  1. ^abGethin, Rupert(1998).The Foundations of Buddhism.Oxford University Press.p.22.ISBN978-0-19-289223-2.
  2. ^"Buddhism Fast Facts".CNN.11 November 2013.Retrieved14 October2019.
  3. ^Simon Gardner, Pindar Sidisunthorn and Lai Ee May, 2011. Heritage Trees of Penang. Penang: Areca Books.ISBN978-967-57190-6-6
  4. ^Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.).India through the ages.Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p.176.
  5. ^For more on the topic see also the chapter "Buddha, Buddhism, and the bodhi tree" in "Belief, Bounty, and Beauty" by Albertina Nugteren.doi:10.1163/9789047415619_004
  6. ^"Ficus religiosa – Plant Finder".www.missouribotanicalgarden.org.Retrieved8 December2020.
  7. ^"Botanic Notables: The Bodhi Tree – Garden Design".GardenDesign.com.Retrieved8 December2020.
  8. ^Kazmi, S M A (7 August 2007)."Forest institute suggests methods to save Bodhi tree – Indian Express".The Indian Express Archives.Retrieved7 April2022.
  9. ^Qadir, Abdul (31 August 2017)."Two Forest Research Institute scientists examine Bodhi tree, collect sample".The Times of India.Retrieved7 April2022.
  10. ^Sahay, Anand Mohan (25 October 2007)."Branch of bodhi tree was cut 3 years ago: Report".www.rediff.com.Retrieved7 April2022.
  11. ^abcBedi, Rahul (9 April 2008)."Scientists turn to cloning in attempt to save Buddhism's holiest tree for posterity".The Irish Times.Retrieved7 April2022.
  12. ^A small Hindu temple beneath a banyan tree, BodhgayaBritish Library.
  13. ^Malalasekera, G. P. (14 September 2003).Dictionary of Pali Proper Names.Asian Educational Services.ISBN978-81-206-1823-7– via Google Books.
  14. ^ab"CHAPTER XVII_The Arrival Of The Relics".Mahavamsa, chap. 17, 17.
  15. ^"CHAPTER XX_The Nibbana Of The Thera".Mahavamsa, chap. 20, 4f.
  16. ^"CHAPTER XXIX_The Beginning Of The Great Thupa".Mahavamsa, chap. 29, 41.
  17. ^J. Gordon, Melton; Martin, Baumann (2010).Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices(Second ed.).ABC-CLIO,Santa Barbara. p. 358.ISBN978-1-59884-204-3.
  18. ^Archaeological Survey of India,Volume 1, Four Reports Made During the Years 1862-63-64-66
  19. ^ab"Buddhist Studies: Bodhi Tree".Buddhanet.net.Retrieved1 August2013.
  20. ^Mahâbodhi, or the great Buddhist temple under the Bodhi tree at Buddha-Gaya,Alexander Cunningham, 1892: "I next saw the Tree in 1871, and again in 1875, when it had become completely decayed, and shortly afterwards, in 1876, the only remaining portion of the Tree fell over the west wall during a storm, and the Old Pipal Tree was gone. Many seeds, however, had been collected, and young scions of the parent tree were already in existence to take its place."
  21. ^Luders, Heinrich (1963).Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum Vol.2 Pt.2 Bharhut Inscriptions.p. 95.
  22. ^"Guide to Buddhism a to Z".
  23. ^K.H.J. Wijayadasa."Śrī Maha Bodhi".Srimahabodhi.org.Retrieved1 August2013.
  24. ^"Rain-makers: The Sacred Bodhi Tree Part 2".Srimahabodhi.org. 24 April 2003.Retrieved1 August2013.
  25. ^Waikiki’s “Central Park” – Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Reservewaikikioutdoorcircle.org
  26. ^Madhavan, Chitra."Buddhist shrine in Adyar".Madras Musings.Retrieved14 November2015.
  27. ^"Statement by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee to the media on board the special aircraft on his way back from his state visit to the socialist republic of Vietnam".pib.gov.in.Retrieved22 December2022.
  28. ^See "Navel in Buddha" on Academia.eduhttps://www.academia.edu/43042460/Navel_in_Buddha.Text is quoted verbatim. Multiple internet sites show the same text, but only this one appears to be a more reliable source.
  29. ^https://www.budismohoje.org.br/as-raizes-culturais-da-comemoracao-do-despertar-rohatsu/
  30. ^Sayadaw, Mingun,ed. (1992). "Appendix: List of the Mahabodhi Trees of 24 Buddhas".The Great Chronicle of Buddhas.Vol. 1, Part 2. Yangon, Myanmar: Ti=Ni Press. pp. 316–317, 322.
  31. ^"Cakkavatti Sutta: The Wheel-turning Emperor".www.accesstoinsight.org.
  32. ^"University of Hawaii".[dead link]
  33. ^Prasoon, Shrikant (2007).Knowing Buddha: [life and teachings].[Delhi]: Hindoology Books.ISBN978-81-223-0963-8.
  34. ^"All The State Emblems and Their Meaning - NLC Bharat".National Legislators Conference.Retrieved4 February2024.
  35. ^"Bihar digging into history to discover roots of its emblem".Hindustan Times.22 March 2010.Retrieved4 February2024.

Further reading

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