SRI MAHA BODHI

Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura. Sri Lanka. 2006.

Sanghamitta landing with the Bodhi tree sapling at Sri Lanka.

'Sri Maha Bodhi' is a Sacred Fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be a sapling from the original Bodhi tree under which the historical Buddha became enlightened. It was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.
It was planted on a high terrace about 6.5 m above the ground and surrounded by railings, and today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world. This wall was constructed during the reign of King Kirthi Sri Rajasingha, to protect it from wild elephants which might have attacked the tree.

Contents

History

See also

External links

History

The tree is said to be the southern branch of the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
In the 3rd century BCE, the Buddha's fig tree was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta (Pali; Skt.: Sanghamitra), daughter of Emperor Asoka and founder of an order of Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka.
In 249 BCE, Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi was planted in the Mahameghavana Park in Anuradhapura by King Devanampiyatissa.

See also

★ Bodhi tree

★ Buddhist pilgrimage

★ Sanghamitta
On May 14, 1985, the LTTE, a terrorist organisation, damaged the shrine and massacred 145 nuns, monks and innocent pilgrims as they worshipping inside the Buddhist shrine of this most sacred of Buddhist places of worship [1].

External links

★ Living Heritage - Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi

★ UNESCO World Heritage - Sacred City of Anuradhapura

★ Sri Maha Bodhi tourist site

★ Buddha and the Bodhi tree