Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree

GS1 – Art & Culture

The Indian Prime Minister recently paid homage to the revered Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

Overview 

Brought by Sanghamitta: The sacred sapling was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka and a Buddhist nun, in the 3rd century BCE with the intention of promoting Buddhism on the island.

Cultural Observance: Her arrival is honoured annually through the Uduvapa Poya festival, celebrated as “Sanghamitta Day” on the full moon day in December.

Spiritual Heritage: This tree is believed to have originated from a branch of the original Bodhi tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar — the site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.

Symbolism: Regarded as the world’s oldest known tree nurtured by human care, it represents peace, enlightenment, and the uninterrupted spiritual legacy of Buddhism.

Pilgrimage and UNESCO Site: Located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, this tree is a key attraction within a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses numerous sacred Buddhist landmarks.

Historical Resilience: Despite numerous threats, including a deliberate act of vandalism in 1929 and a deadly attack by the LTTE in 1985 that led to the death of 146 individuals, the tree has endured and continues to be revered.

Sanghamitta & the Bhikkhuni Sangha

Pioneer of Bhikkhuni Order: Sanghamitta was instrumental in establishing the Bhikkhuni Sangha (also referred to locally as Bhikkhuni Sasana or Meheini Sasna) in Sri Lanka, rooted in the Dhamma-Vinaya framework founded by Buddha in India.

Monastic Prosperity: For over a millennium, the Bhikkhuni Sangha played a pivotal role in shaping the religious and monastic traditions of the island.

Decline and Disruption: The flourishing order faced decline post-1017 AD after the Chola invasion from South India, which disrupted Buddhist institutions for years.

Ficus religiosa (Bo Tree / Pipal Tree)

• Scientifically known as Ficus religiosa, the tree is popularly called the Bo Tree or Pipal.
• Known for its robust nature, it can regenerate effectively through both seeds and root systems.
• Conservation Status: Classified as “Least Concern” by the IUCN due to its widespread and resilient nature.